Curry Named Lady Raider Coach

The worst thing that could have happened to the Lady Raider basketball program after Marsha Sharp left was a long, drawn-out search process with a number of coaching candidates, leading to weeks of uncertainty. Instead, the program will now move forward with the first person on their list: Purdue`s Kristy Curry. In a Thursday afternoon press conference, Texas Tech Athletic Director Gerald Myers announced Curry as the new coach, replacing long-time coach Marsha Sharp. "It is a real special time and it is a real special person that I am going to introduce to you as your coach," said Myers, in introducing Curry. "I don`t think we could have drawn up a (better) blueprint for someone that fit our situation. We wanted to hire a coach that all of our fans, alumni, students and everybody can be proud of and get behind her and support this program. And one who will continue the success that the Lady Raider program has had." "I want to thank Marsha Sharp in believing in me, for having the faith and confidence in me to carry on the torch and I will do everything in my power to continue to make her proud and keep her involved," said Curry. "We are just going to pick up where she left off and continue to grow and become better and better." Curry comes in with a resume of success, taking over a Purdue program in 1999 that had just won a National Championship. She kept the program at a high level, compliling a 179-51 record, two Big Ten regular season and three tournament championships, and seven consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including an appearance in the 2001 National Championship game. "We are just going to pick up where (Coach Sharp) left off and continue to grow and become better and better," she said. "We will do everything we can to continue the tradition."