July 12, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara women's basketball head coach Michelle Bento-Jackson rounded out her coaching staff Thursday by announcing the addition of former Broncos captain Anna Martin as an assistant coach. Martin will assume her duties immediately, and will share responsibility in all aspects of the program, including scouting, team travel, and player development.
"We are excited that Anna Martin will be making her transition from playing to coaching by becoming a part of our women's basketball staff," Bento-Jackson said. "Anna epitomizes everything that we envision a Santa Clara University women's basketball player should stand for. She was successful as a player because of her dedication, work ethic, and unselfishness. I have tremendous respect for her as a player and a person and she is a great role model for our players. As a player, Anna did whatever we asked of her for the betterment of our team, and I know that she will use the same mindset to help our players excel both academically and athletically."
Martin, 22, remains with the Santa Clara program after concluding a solid four year career in 2006-07. In her time on the Mission Campus, Martin served as a team captain during her junior and senior years, and appeared in 114 games, tied for fifth-most all-time. The Oregon City, Ore. native was a major part of Santa Clara's nationally-recognized three-point shooting unit, hitting 93 career shots from behind the arc. Along with her long-range shooting abilities, Martin was one of the most selfless performers on the court, passing out 184 career assists and helping the Broncos to three postseason appearances, including the 2005 WCC Tournament title and the conference regular-season title in 2006.
"I am very excited for this incredible opportunity to be a part of the Santa Clara coaching staff," Martin said. "I feel extremely fortunate that I get to stay here at Santa Clara. With the program and the players being so familiar to me already, I am very confident that I can make a positive contribution to Santa Clara women's basketball. I am really looking forward to working with the coaching staff and preparing the players for the upcoming season."
Martin's addition to the Santa Clara staff comes on the heels of the promotion of four-year assistant coach Jenn Bradley to top assistant, and the hiring of former SCU standout and WCC Player of the Year Michelle Cozad as assistant coach in late May.
"I absolutely love the new dynamic of our staff. I think it is wonderful that all three assistant coaches played for and graduated from Santa Clara University," said Bento-Jackson. "These three individuals truly understand the weight and importance of the two words on the front of the jersey. We have surrounded our players and our program with hard workers, a winner's mentality, and above all, terrific people."