North Carolina Central University

SOFTBALL

      DURHAM, NC -- North Carolina Central University head softball coach Larry Keen was voted as the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Softball Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, the conference office announced Friday (May 5). 
      Keen, now in his fifth season as head coach of the Lady Eagles, earned the 2006 honor after guiding the Lady Eagles to their second straight regular-season CIAA Western Division crown and the 2006 CIAA Championship title, the school's first since 1999. The Lady Eagles also established a new school record with 35 victories and have a 42-2 conference record during the past two seasons.
      NCCU will be participating in the NCAA Division II Softball Regional Championship starting on Thursday, May 11, marking the first time the Lady Eagles have ever qualified for the tournament field. NCCU (35-14) is currently ranked eighth in the Mid-Atlantic region.
      Keen will be presented with his award at the Annual CIAA Coach of the Year Luncheon on May 23 at the Radisson Hotel - Research Triangle Park. 

LARRY KEEN
North Carolina Central University Head Softball Coach

Quick Facts:
. Keen is now in his fifth season as the head softball coach at NCCU
. Keen has been voted as the CIAA Softball Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006
. The Lady Eagles won back-to-back CIAA Western Division Championships in 2005 and 2006
. The Lady Eagles captured the 2006 CIAA Softball Championship title, their first since 1999 and only the third crown in school history
. Keen has guided the Lady Eagles to a 42-2 conference record during the past two seasons
. The Lady Eagles' 35-14 overall record in 2006 marks the most wins in school history
. The 2006 Lady Eagles will be playing in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship for the first time in school history