Peterson Abiad Inks Extension

Oct. 23, 2008

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Coming off the most successful season in program history, Cleveland State head women's basketball coach Kate Peterson Abiad has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep her with the Vikings through 2013.

Director of Athletics Lee Reed made the announcement on Thursday (Oct. 23), just one week after the Vikings resumed practice for the 2008-09 season.

"It is an honor to have the opportunity to lead the Cleveland State women's basketball program for the next five years," Peterson Abiad said. "I am proud of how far we have come and I am determined to provide the type of leadership that is vital to building a tradition of success at CSU. It is a privilege to coach these amazing young women and I look forward to our guture together."

"I am very proud of what Kate Peterson Abiad has been able to accomplish with the women's basketball program at Cleveland State," Reed said. "In addition to the team's impressive performance on the court, the program continues to be extremely successful in the classroom. We look forward to many more years of athletic and academic successes with coach Peterson Abiad."

Peterson Abiad, who is beginning her sixth season at CSU, led the Vikings to a breakthrough season last year, finishing 19-14 overall and 10-8 in the Horizon League, which tied CSU for fourth place. The 19 wins were the second most in a single season in school history, while the 10 league wins were a school record.

In addition, CSU earned its first-ever postseason appearance, advancing to the NCAA tournament by winning the Horizon League Championship. The Vikings, who were seeded fourth, tallied double-digit wins over fifth-seeded Butler, top-seeded Green Bay and second-seeded Wright State in the league tournament.

In her first season at CSU, Peterson Abiad led the Vikings to a then school record nine conference wins and a fourth place finish in the Horizon League.

Since that time, she has coached five All-Horizon League honorees, including junior guard Kailey Klein, who earned a spot on the first team last season. Dominique Butler also became the first player in program history to earn Horizon League Defensive Player of the Year honors when she earned the honor last season.

CSU will host Lake Erie in an exhibition game on Nov. 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the Wolstein Center. The Vikings first regular season contest will be on Nov. 14 at Arizona State in the opening round of the Preseason WNIT Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. EST