March 12, 2008

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Navy Director of Athletics Chet Gladchuk announced Tuesday that the Naval Academy Athletic Association has extended the contract of 2007-08 Patriot League Men's Basketball Coach of the Year Billy Lange through the 2012-13 season.

"Over the past few years, we have observed Coach Lange re-establish Navy basketball in a manner that has addressed competitive spirit, the academic and professional development of our Midshipmen, staff, schedule, facilities and community relations," said Gladchuk. "He has diligently and professionally rekindled a sense of excitement and pride within the basketball family. We are again legitimate contenders for the league."

Lange led the Midshipmen to a 16-14 record and a 9-5 Patriot League record, good for a second-place finish in the regular-season standings. The Mids, which were picked to finish seventh in the preseason poll, played an exciting brand of basketball, leading the league in scoring, three-pointers made per game, free throw percentage and turnovers forced.

The Mids, fueled by a four-guard lineup, won 13 of their last 19 games and were in a race for the Patriot League regular-season title right up to the final day.

Led by Patriot League Player of the Year Greg Sprink, Navy averaged 76.3 points per game and boasted three of the league's top 10 scorers. Besides Sprink's 21.8 points per game average, sophomore Chris Harris (14.5 ppg) and junior Kaleo Kina (14.0 ppg) also averaged double-figures. Harris was a second-team All-Patriot League selection and freshman Romeo Garcia, the final member of Navy's lethal four-guard attack, was named to the All-Rookie Team.

Lange was instrumental in the development of Sprink, who saw his scoring production increase every year at Navy. He became the first Patriot Leaguer to average 20.0 ppg since 1998, while finishing third on the Navy career scoring list with 1,785 points. He also finished his career 10th in career assists and 11th in career rebounds and started 105 games, the second most in school history.

Lange also has a knack for recruiting and developing talent. During his first four years at Navy, he has had five players named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team and will return four starters for the 2008-09 squad.

Lange's teams have shown an increase in competitiveness during each of his four years. Navy's 16-14 record this past winter was the program's most successful since the 2000-01 campaign.

"I am humbled and very fortunate for the opportunity to lead this program and assist our Midshipmen with their leadership development. We had a very exciting past season and I am very encouraged about the future of this program," said Lange. "I am deeply appreciative of the commitment that Mr. Gladchuk has made to the program, the coaching staff, players, alumni and fans associated with Navy basketball. We look forward to working with NAAA in continuing to improve the basketball program on and off the court."

# GO NAVY #