Temple University Athletics
STALEY AND DUPREE TAKE HOME BIG FIVE COACH AND PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS
4.15.05 | Women's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA- In what almost was a repeat of the Atlantic 10 Banquet, the Temple women's basketball team continued to earn honors for its record-breaking season at the Big Five Banquet, held on Thursday night at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. The Owls, who went 4-0 in Big Five play, were selected as the Team of the Year.
Dawn Staley was named Big Five Coach of the Year for the third time in five seasons. Staley, who led Temple to its best season in school history, was also named the WBCA Regional Coach of the Year and the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year.
Candice Dupree took home her first Player of the Year honor, after earning four Big Five Player of the Week nods. Dupree was named the Atlantic 10's Player of the Year, as well as the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player, and garnered Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American honors. She was also named First Team All- Big Five.
Kamesha Hairston was this season's Most Improved Player across the board, earning the award from the Big Five, Atlantic 10 and the Temple women's team. Hairston was also selected to the All-Big Five Second Team. Senior Ari Moore joined Hairston on the second team. Moore twice garnered Big Five Player of the Week honors, while Hairston's 31 point performance against Xavier earned her the award on January 31.
Senior Cynthia Jordan was named to the Big Five's First Team and, after graduating in three years with a degree in business administration, Jordan was rewarded with a spot on the All-Academic Team. Jordan was a Big Five Player of the Week honoree after dishing her 200th assist against Villanova during the week ending December 20.
