GORHAM, Maine - Because she sets herself apart in her commitment to coaching student-athletes and athletics, Appalachian State University women's basketball head coach
Angel Elderkin was presented with the Richard "Doc" Costello Special Achievement Award at her alma mater, Southern Maine on Saturday evening.
The fourth-year head coach's presentation was part of the 2017 Southern Maine Hall of Fame Induction, while her former head coach, Gary Fifield, presented the award to Elderkin.
"Last night was an honor and privilege to have someone so influential in my life, coach Gary Fifield, present me with the Richard A. Costello Achievement Award," Elderkin said. "I am grateful to the University of Southern Maine for the impact it has had on my life, and for developing the character skills necessary to win not just on the court, but in life."
The 27th recipient of the honor that started in 1992, Elderkin was successful both on and off the court at USM where she helped the Huskies capture three Little East Championships, four trips to the NCAA Division III National Championship and as the floor general for USM contributed to a stellar 104-15 record over four years. Off the court, Elderkin worked just as hard where she was a two-time honoree of the William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete Award and earned her degree in sociology with a minor in education in 1999. Her expertise, passion, and love for the game had her on the rise at coaching stops such as Siena, Virginia, St. John's, Tennessee and LSU before making her way to the High Country.
In 2016-17, Elderkin faced and overcame adversity where she battled endometrial cancer, and because of her strength and courage, she received the United States Basketball Writer's Association (USBWA) Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award at the Final Four in Dallas. Elderkin coached for all 31 games on top of traveling to Chapel Hill for chemo-treatments during the first part of the season, including a five-game road trip at the beginning of the campaign.
Elderkin helped App State win two more games last season en route to capturing its first-ever Sun Belt Tournament win over Coastal Carolina in the first round.
Appalachian will have its first official preseason practice tomorrow, Oct. 2 at 3:30 p.m. in Varsity Gymnasium.
