Susan Crownover resigns GPS basketball post

photo Susan Crownover

Susan Crownover's coaching load just got a little lighter.

After one of the most successful girls' basketball tenures in area history, Crownover has stepped down as GPS's coach. She will continue coaching the Bruisers softball program.

"I've enjoyed my time as basketball coach here and watching the girls grow, and I feel like we've done things the right way," said Crownover, a former Times Free Press coach of the year. "I was fortunate enough to even get to coach my daughter in two sports up until her senior year.

"It's just time for me to step aside and focus on one sport for a while."

GPS reached the Division II state tournament six times in Crownover's nine basketball seasons, winning two state championships and reaching the semifinals three other times. She compiled a 171-69 overall record and was named the TSSAA's A.F. Bridges Award winner for sportsmanship and integrity.

Four former players signed with Division I programs, and she coached two Miss Basketball award winners.

"I can't say anything but good things about Coach Crownover," GPS athletic director Stacey Hill said. "I have great respect and appreciation for what she's done here.

"She's always coaching two or three sports and has always been successful in whatever she coached. She's never taken any time off really, but this will give her a little bit of a break."

Besides continuing to coach the varsity softball program, which she has led to seven D-II state titles and six runner-up finishes in 19 seasons, Crownover now will head the GPS middle school softball program.

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