University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy has announced a two-year contract extension for head women's basketball coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson. With the extension in place, Abrahamson-Henderson will remain at the helm of the Great Dane program through the 2016-17 season.

Abrahamson-Henderson, the 10th head coach in the UAlbany program's history, was named to her current post on April 19, 2010. In her first season with the Great Danes, UAlbany posted the first winning season in its Division I history, going 16-14 overall, while also going 9-7 in America East Conference play. The Great Danes completed their epic turnaround in 2011-12, going 23-10 overall and winning the program's first-ever America East Conference Championship and NCAA Tournament berth.

“The Division of Athletics is pleased to extend the contract of Coach Abe through the 2016-17 season for her body of work and contribution to the women’s basketball program at UAlbany," said McElroy. "She has incorporated academic excellence, athletics excellence and leadership excellence for our young women, who have attained feats never achieved in our Division I history. We remain excited about the direction and future of Great Dane women’s basketball under the direction of Coach Abe and her staff.”

Abrahamson-Henderson, who was previously the associate head coach at Indiana University and head coach at Missouri State University, has mentored the back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year, Ebone Henry, who was the first UAlbany player to win a major award from the America East. Abrahamson-Henderson also mentored All-Conference Second and Defensive Team member Julie Forster, who will become the program's all-time leading rebounder as a senior.

"I would like to thank Lee McElroy and President George Philip," said Abrahamson-Henderson, who was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2011-12. "I am most appreciative for the opportunity to continue to build on the women's basketball program's success at an excellent university, with a team of talented and motivated student-athletes, assistant coaches, and administrators."

Coming off the 2011-12 championship season, Abrahamson-Henderson and the Great Danes will make four appearances on ESPN3 as part of the America East Conference's television package. Three of UAlbany's home games will be televised, including the annual Commitment to Education Day event on January 16th, when the Great Danes host New Hampshire at 12 p.m.

On January 26th, the Great Danes will host Vermont in a double header with the two school's men's basketball programs, with both games being shown on ESPN3. On Sunday, Feb. 17, UAlbany's game at Hartford will be televised on the network, before wrapping up the four-game package on Thursday, Feb. 21 with a home game against Boston U.

The preceding information was provided by Brianna LaBrecque, Interim Director of Athletic Communications from UAlbany.

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