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SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Tanya Bauer, an assistant coach for the past two seasons at NCAA Division I Southern Illinois University, has been named as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach at Division II Slippery Rock University, Paul Lueken, SRU athletic director, announced Monday.

In addition to her two seasons at SIU, Bauer served seven seasons as a Division I assistant coach, one season (2007-08) as head coach at Division II University of Minnesota Duluth and one season as a Division III assistant coach at her alma mater, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

"We are very excited to have Tanya lead our women's basketball program with a tremendous amount of experience and success at all three NCAA Divisions,” Lueken said in announcing Bauer's selection from a pool of over 95 candidates. “Her credentials and enthusiasm clearly separated her during the interview process and we feel the future is bright for Rock Women's Basketball.”

The Rock's gain is Southern Illinois' loss, Saluki athletic director Mario Moccia said.

"I received the news of Tanya Bauer being named head coach of Slippery Rock with mixed emotions,” he said. “Happy that she will be leading a program once again which she had successfully done in the past and sorry that she will be leaving the Saluki family since she made so many close ties with our student-athletes and staff.

“We all wish Tanya well in her new endeavor and I have every reason to believe she will be extremely successful in leading The Rock,” Moccia added.

Bauer said she ready to hit the ground running in her quest to make Rock Women's Basketball a contender for Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and regional honors.

“I would like to thank Director of Athletics Paul Lueken and the search committee for appointing me as the next head women's basketball coach at Slippery Rock University,” she said. “I am honored to be selected and proud to be leading the program at the Rock.

“I'm excited about the recruiting potential in Western Pennsylvania and the surrounding areas. That coupled with the existing talent on the roster will provide a solid foundation to build upon,” she said.

Prior to joining the Southern Illinois staff, Bauer was Santa Clara University's top assistant coach for four seasons (2003-07), helping guide the Broncos to a West Coast Conference Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2004-05, as well as a WCC regular season championship and a Women's National Invitation Tournament berth in 2006.

A former standout at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Bauer began her coaching career as an assistant coach at her alma mater in the 1999-2000 season under current University of Wisconsin head coach Lisa Stone.

Bauer then followed Stone to Drake University, where she served as assistant coach from 2000-03. She helped lead the Bulldogs to a 64-27 record, the 2001 Missouri Valley Conference championship and two NCAA tournament berths, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2002.

"I am so excited for Tanya Bauer,” Stone said. “Slippery Rock made a great hire. You will love Tanya; she is a tireless worker, a good basketball coach and someone who will bring great pride to the University and its women's basketball program.

“Tanya is a woman with high character and strong values,” Stone added. “She will work hard on and off the court and really roll up her sleeves and recruit the best to Slippery Rock University.”

As a player, Bauer capped off a four-year playing career by garnering Kodak NCAA Division III All-America honorable mention recognition in 1998. She earned All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference first-team honors during the 1997-98 season and was selected to the WIAC All-Defensive Team three consecutive years.

Bauer concluded her collegiate career with 1,022 points and currently ranks 12th in Blugold history. She also ranks 12th in assists (271) and 15th in rebounds (513). Bauer owns the single-season Wisconsin-Eau Claire record for three-point shooting (.463), and career (.368) and the single-game record for free throws made percentage. She led her teams to the NCAA Division III tournament all four seasons, advancing to the Elite Eight on two occasions, including a national runner-up finish in 1996-97.

A native of Durand, Wisc., Bauer is a 1998 graduate of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary/middle school education.

Bauer succeeds Laurel Heilman, who compiled a 110-149 record in 10 seasons at SRU.

Tanya Bauer can be reached at 724.738.2399 or tanya.bauer@sru.edu