July 16, 2003

MILWAUKEE - University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Athletic Director Bud Haidet announced here Wednesday (July 16) that head women's basketball coach Sandy Botham has signed a contract extension. Botham, who enters her eighth season in Milwaukee, inked a deal good through the 2007-08 campaign.

"Sandy has been an asset not only to the UWM women's basketball program but to the athletic department and UWM community," Haidet said. "She has taken the program to heights that had previously never been reached and I am confident she can continue that type of success in the future."

Botham, who came to UWM in 1996-97 following a season at Beloit College, owns a 134-88 career record at the helm of the Milwaukee program. The 1988 Notre Dame graduate has led the Panthers to winning seasons in six of her seven seasons and in each of the last four campaigns. Botham's troops advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history in 2000-01 before setting a school-record for wins (20) the following season.

"This shows a commitment to me and to my program and I'm excited about what the future holds," Botham said. "We haven't reached the tip of the iceberg here and it is nice to be given the trust to build the program even further. For Bud Haidet to have faith in me and what we've accomplished here is a nice feeling. It's nice to be rewarded with a contract extension."

UWM will return seven letterwinners and four starters from last season's 16-13 squad which finished tied for second in the Horizon League. The Panthers will open the 2003-04 season Friday (Nov. 21) versus Northwestern State University in the Moran Realty Classic in Chicago, Ill.