Alumnus leads Valparaiso team to the Big Dance
FOR RELEASE: Monday, March 11, 2002
Huntington, Ind. " Keith Freeman, a 1986 Huntington College graduate, celebrated a defining career moment on Tuesday, March 11. As head coach of the Valparaiso University women's basketball team, Freeman led his squad to the Mid-Continent Conference's tournament championship with a two point victory over Oakland University, 48-46. The championship earns Valparaiso an automatic bid into the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, its first bid in 33 years. In his ninth year at the helm of the Valparaiso Cougars women's basketball program with an overall record of 155-105 (.596), Freeman started his coaching career at Huntington College in 1983. From 1983-1985, Freeman skippered the Forester women's basketball team, leading his 1984 squad to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) National Championship.
Freeman was named the Forester's head women's coach at age 19, and he held the distinction of being the youngest college coach during the 1983-1984 season. During his two seasons as women's coach, Freeman compiled an impressive 44-19 record and was named District Coach of the Year in 1985 when Huntington won the NCCAA District 3 Championship.
With an overall women's record of 284-152 (.651) in 15 years of coaching women's basketball, Freeman is in the top tier of winningest active coaches. Prior to coaching at Valparaiso, Freeman spent four years at Saint Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Indiana, compiling a stellar four-year record of 85-28.
Freeman graduated Cum Laude from Huntington College in May of 1986, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He also completed his Master of Business Administration from Ball State University in August of 1987.
For a complete bio of Coach Freeman and up-to-date information on his Valparaiso program, visit http://www.valparaiso.edu/athletics/. An announcement will be made on Sunday, March 16, as to who the Cougars will play in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament.
Huntington College is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 60 academic concentrations. US News & World Report ranks Huntington among the Top 10 comprehensive colleges in the Midwest. Founded in 1897 by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, Huntington College is located on a contemporary, lakeside campus in Huntington, Indiana.
