Lisa Stone Selected to Lead Women's Basketball Program

Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the John M. Schael Director of Athletics Anthony J. Azama has announced the hiring of Lisa Stone as the next head coach of the Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball program. She is the fourth head coach in program history and will begin her duties on August 28.

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"I am excited to welcome Lisa, her husband Ed and their two adult children Allison and Tyler to the WashU Athletics family," said Azama. "Coach Stone's arrival marks an exciting new chapter for our women's basketball program, and I am certain her leadership will inspire not only our scholar-champions but also our broader university community. I am grateful for the search committee, Nancy Fahey and our university leadership, Chancellor Martin and Vice Chancellor Gonzalez for their support throughout this process."

Stone comes to WashU after a 10-year tenure at nearby Saint Louis University, where she was the head coach of the Billikens from 2012-22. Over her 36-year career, Stone has built up a record of 667-375, including 164-138 at SLU. Stone was also the head coach at the University of Wisconsin from 2003-11 and prior to that, served as the head coach at Drake University from 2000-03.

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Stone has roots in Division III, serving as the head coach at UW-Eau Claire from 1988 to 2000. Prior to that, she was both the head basketball and head softball coach at Cornell College from 1985-88.

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"I would like to thank Associate Vice Chancellor for Student-Affairs Anthony J. Azama and the search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead the Washington University women's basketball program. I am honored and excited to join the Bear Family," said Stone. "Washington University has an unwavering commitment to excellence, world-class academics and a championship tradition in women's basketball. I am beyond excited to meet the players, build relationships and continue the strong history of success in the classroom, on the court and in the community."

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In Stone's first season with SLU, the Billikens allowed an average of fewer than 60 points per game (57.9) for the first time since the 1985-86 season and held 11 opponents to fewer than 50 points, setting a new program record. The following year during the 2013-14 campaign, SLU posted a 9-5 mark at home, marking its best home record in more than a decade. Additionally, the Billikens won three consecutive conference road games for the first time in program history.

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During the 2014-15 season, SLU won 15 games which was the most at the time for the Billikens in 12 seasons and won the program's first game over a ranked opponent since 2002-03.

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The Billikens won the A-10 regular-season title in 2015-16, for the first time in program history. That season, SLU set program records for total victories (26), conference victories (13), overall winning percentage, conference winning percentage, conference winning streak, home wins and road wins. Additionally, SLU had two first-team A-10 selections that season, giving the Billikens two first-team selections for the first time in program history. Stone went on to earn A-10 Coach of the Year as well as College Sports Madness High Major National Coach of the Year, becoming the first SLU women's basketball coach to earn any Coach of the Year honors.

Stone hit her career 600^th win during the 2017-18 season and the Billikens earned their third-straight trip to the WNIT.

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During the 2020-21 season, SLU had its deepest postseason run in program history, reaching the WNIT quarterfinal game. In total, Stone led the Billikens to four postseason appearances (fifth appearance was canceled due to COVID-19).

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While at Wisconsin, Stone led the Badgers to five-straight postseason appearances and celebrated the most wins in a season in program history (23). In 2010, Wisconsin earned a trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002 and the seventh time overall. Stone also earned the 2009-10 Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Badgers to a third-place finish in conference and the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament for just the second time in program history.

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In her time at Drake, Stone was named the 2000-01 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year and became the winningest first-year coach in MVC history that same year. Additionally, she led the Bulldogs to an MVC regular-season co-championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. The following season, Drake reached the NCAA Sweet 16.

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While at Division III UW-Eau Claire, Stone turned around a program that had just one previous winning season. In her time there, they had 11 20-win seasons, 11 NCAA Tournament berths and won six conference titles.

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During the 1996-97 season, the Blugolds were the national runner-up and the 1993-94 squad finished third nationally. Following the 1997 season, Stone was named the WBCA Division III National Coach of the Year. In 2000, she earned the D3 News/Molten Division II National Coach of the Year honors.

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Stone was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athlete Conference Coach of the Year five times and was inducted in the UW-Eau Claire Hall of Fame in 2006. She was also part of the inaugural class of the WIAC Hall of Fame and was named the WIAC Women's Basketball All-Time Co-Coach.

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In addition to her experience and accolades, she was the head coach for the 2001 WBCA All-Star game and served as an assistant coach for the gold-medal Team USA at the 2002 World Championships for Young Women Qualifying Tournament in Brazil.

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Stone holds a bachelor's degree in physical education and a master's degree in athletic administration from the University of Iowa. She played four years of basketball for the legendary C. Vivian Stringer and finished her career with 1,129 points.

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Stone and her husband, Ed, are the parents of Allison and Tyler.

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‍What they are saying about Lisa Stone:

‍‍"I am excited for the next chapter of Bear Basketball under Coach Lisa Stone's leadership. Experienced at all levels of our game, she brings a special combination of knowledge and energy to the program.  I had the unique experience of playing Lisa's team during her time at UW-Eau Claire several years ago.  Her teams were well-coached and they played with a special intensity.   Lisa is a person of high integrity. The program is in good hands." – Nancy Fahey | Former WashU Hall of Fame Head Coach and five-time national champion‍

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‍"WashU is hiring a real gem in the basketball coaching profession with Lisa Stone. Lisa is a tireless working and will roll up her sleeves to get things done. No one brings more energy and spunk than Lisa does, and her players will love her. If my daughter played basketball, I would want Lisa to be her coach." – Bo Ryan | Former Head Coach, University of Wisconsin and 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer‍

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‍"WashU is one of the most respected programs in the country and they found the perfect coach in Lisa Stone. I have known Lisa for a long time and there are few people I respect more. Coach Stone is an amazing leader who will impact not just the women's basketball program but the entire University community." – Bill Fennelly | Head Coach, Iowa State University

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‍‍"I am thrilled to hear that Lisa has accepted the women's basketball head coaching position at Washington University! Lisa is a passionate leader, an excellent strategist and recruiter, and more importantly, a first-class person. The young women she will be coaching will benefit from her 30+ years of experience, her desire to grow the women's game, and her relentless effort to compete and mentor winners both on and off the court. WashU is getting a great one! I wish Lisa all the best as she embarks on this next challenge!" – Cindy Griffin | Head Coach, St. Joseph's University