Margie Williamson

After five years as the head coach of the Mary Hardin-Baylor women's team, Margie Williamson has announced that she will be stepping down from the position at the end of the summer.Williamson will leave the Crusaders to begin work on a doctorate degree in sport management administration.

"It is really hard to put into words what Mary Hardin-Baylor means to me," Williamson said."I've had the chance to grow and develop, but now it's time to pursue higher education, and hopefully I'll be able to come back and teach here some day.This is a hard choice for me because I love UMHB, but this is the right time for me."

Williamson posted an 82-45 record in her five season with the Crusader women and she led the UMHB women to two American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament berths.Williamson was voted ASC West Division Coach of the Year after leading the UMHB women to the ASC Tournament championship game in 2000-2001.She is a 1994 graduate of UMHB and was a four-year letter winner for the Crusaders.Williamson also spent three years as an assistant coach at Baylor prior to rejoining her alma mater.

"Margie has been a tremendous asset to the athletic department at this university," UMHB vice president for athletics Ben Shipp announced.

Belton, Texas - After five years as head women's basketball coach at the University of Hardin-Baylor, Margie Williamson has announced that she will be leaving at the end of the summer.According to Williamson, she has decided to pursue a doctorate degree in sport management administration to further her career.

"It is really hard to put into words what MHB means to me. I've had the chance to grow and develop, but now it's time to pursue higher education, and hopefully I'll be able to come back and teach here some day.

She plans to attend Texas Women's University in Denton for a doctoral degree in sports administration."It was a hard choice for me because I love UMHB, but it is the right time for me," said Williamson.

According to Vice President for Athletics Ben Shipp, Williamson will be missed and has been an effective coach during her tenure at the UMHB.

"Margie has been a tremendous asset to the athletic program at this university.With a record of 82 and 45, Margie has been building a vibrant women's basketball program both on and off the court," said Shipp.

After graduating from UMHB in 1993, Williamson served for several years as the assistant basketball coach at Baylor before assuming the head coaching position back at her alma mater.

The head coaching vacancy will be posted immediately.

BELTON - It seems Margie Williamson is one who wants to make the most of what she has , not dwell on what she doesn't.That philosophy could serve her well during her first season as head coach of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor women's basketball team , which begins its journey today at 1 p.m. against Southwestern Oklahoma at the Tarleton State University Tournament in Stephenville.Williamson could complain that she didn't take over the Lady Crusader program until May 1 , a week after UMHB declined to renew the contract of Charlotte Chickie Mason -the 1999-2000 American Southwest Conference West Division Coach of the Year. by Greg Wille.

Tigers relaxed , ready to begin third season.

COLLEGE STATION - For the third time this season , the Belton Tigers find themselves at a starting point.And after stumbling out of the gate in their regular-season and district openers , the much more relaxed and focused Tigers are hoping the third time is the charm as things begin anew in the playoffs.The third-place representative from District 17-4A , Belton ( 4-6 ) takes on District 18-4A champion Huntsville ( 7-3 ) in a 4A-Division I opening-round playoff contest today at 7 : 30 p.m. at Texas A&M's Kyle Field.

Head Coach Margie Williamson said, "The fact that we got to the tournament this season with all of our injuries and such a young team is a great accomplishment."

Many of the girls on the team are already looking forward to next season.

Julie Amabile led UMHB with 14 points and added seven assists to move past former UMHB head coach Margie Williamson into fourth place on the Lady Cru career assist chart.

"I told the girls before the game that if you control the boards and control the loose balls, you're going to win this game," UMHB coach Margie Williamson said.
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"Melissa and Diana got their points, but we did a great job of stopping everyone else," Williamson said.
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"We knew they (HSU) would come out fighting back in the second half, but we withstood their push," Williamson said.

"Towards the end, our kids did a gut check," said UMHB coach Margie Williamson.