ROCHESTER, Minn.-- The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) distributed its annual awards at the Final Four banquet Thursday night.

Wartburg head coach Bob Amsberry was named the United State Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year.

Amsberry will be presented with the Pat Summitt Trophy, named for the legendary University of Tennessee coach, during the 2018 WBCA Convention, which will be held in conjunction with the NCAA® Women's Final Four® in Columbus, Ohio.

"The WBCA is proud to name Bob Amsberry as the 2018 United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year," said Danielle Donehew, executive director of the WBCA. "Bob was selected as the winner by his peers after leading his team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example that can be seen in his student-athletes, institution and community."

Amsberry led Wartburg to a perfect 31-0 overall record and the school's second-ever trip to the NCAA Division III final four this season. The Knights brought home their second-straight Iowa Conference regular-season and tournament titles. They are currently second in the rankings going into the final four. Amsberry was named the IIAC Coach of the Year for the second time in two years in 2018.

"The United States Marine Corps proudly recognizes Wartburg College's Bob Amsberry for his contributions and leadership to the Knights and women's basketball," said Lieutenant Colonel John Caldwell, National Director, Marketing and Communication, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.  "Coach Amsberry exemplifies the willingness to engage and determination to win of all Marines."

The United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year is selected by a committee of coaches from among the regional coaches of the year who are nominated and selected by their peers. This year's United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division III Regional Coaches of the Year are:

• Region 1 – G. P. Gromacki, Amherst College
• Region 2 – Amy Reed, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Region 3 – Karin Harvey, Montclair State University
• Region 4 – Michael Miller, Messiah College
• Region 5 – Carroll LaHaye, Randolph-Macon College
• Region 6 – Kole Vivian, Marietta College
• Region 7 – Carissa Knoche, University of Chicago
• Region 8 – Bob Amsberry, Wartburg College

Senior Katie Sommer (Cedar Rapids) was named an All-American and classmate Miranda Murphy (Alleman) received Honorable Mention honors.

This marked the first career accolade from this organization for the two players.