Drake names new coach for women’s program

Drake University introduced Lisa Stone as the school’s new women’s basketball coach Tuesday. Stone spent the last 12-years at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, were she posted a 277-59 record and directed the school to the N-C-A-A division three national tournament 11-times. Stone says she has had other division-one opportunities in the past, but Drake was the right fit.Stone inherits a Drake program that has been in the N-C-A-A tournament in three of the last four years. She promised that the success would continue.Stone says she felt a connection with the players when she met the team during her interview.With four starters back from a team that finished 23-7, Stone realizes a rebuilding job is not needed.After losing their coach and seeing an assistant turn down a chance to take over the program, junior guard Stephanie Schmitz says there is a sense of relief.Schmitz says it was a difficult couple of weeks without a coach.