
SANDRA RUSHING
Head Coach
Email Coach Rushing
Sandra Rushing is in her sixth season as head coach at Delta State University. In 2006, she led the Lady Statesmen to an outstanding record of 28-4 (13-1 GSC), earning the program’s14th GSC title. She also led the 2006-07 Lady Statesmen to the NCAA South Regional championship game.
Rushing has guided the Lady Statesmen to a 114-35 overall record in her five seasons at the helm of one of college basketball’s most storied programs. Her 2002-03, 2003-04, 2005-06 and 2006-07 editions competed in post-season play and the last two years’ squad made it to the NCAA South Regional championship game.
Rushing came to Delta State from Gulf South Conference from Henderson State University in 2002. While at the helm of the Lady Reddies, Rushing compiled a record of 13-13, taking over a program that had six straight losing seasons.
From 1990-2001, the Biloxi native guided the University of Texas-El Paso women’s basketball program. During her tenure at UTEP, the Miners posted a 123-175 overall record and a 56-101 mark in the Western Athletic Conference. Rushing’s 123 career victories are the most in UTEP women’s basketball history.
While at UTEP, Rushing coached 12 All-WAC selections, six WAC Scholar Athletes, four All-WAC Defensive Players of the Year, two WAC Newcomers of the Year, and tow WAC Freshmen of the Year.
In 1997-1998, Rushing was chosen the WAC Mountain Division co-Coach of the Year; leading the Miners to a 16-11 record and a third place WAC finish. In 1992-1993 the Miners set a school record for victories with 18, as they finished fourth in the WAC with an 18-10 record.
For her efforts with the Miners, Rushing was inducted into the University of Texas-El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.
Before her stint at UTEP, Rushing landed her first head coaching job during the 1989-1990 season at Millsaps College in Jackson. While at Millsaps College, the Biloxi native guided the Lady Majors to a 13-9 record.
Sandra Rushing is no stranger to the Mississippi Delta, serving as a graduate assistant to Lloyd Clark during the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. The Lady Statesmen advanced to the NCAA Final Four twice and the Elite Eight once and had a compined record of 86-8.
Rushing played guard at the University of Alabama in the prestigious Southeastern Conference. Rushing holds the all-time Crimson Tide record for free-throw percentage made and was named an Academic All-SEC selection all four years a UA.
While in Tuscaloosa, Rushing earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Education (1986), and later earned her Master’s of Science degree in HPER from Delta State (1988).
Year-by-Year at Delta State:
| Year |
Overall Record |
GSC Record |
Playoffs |
| 2006-07 |
28-4 |
13-1 |
GSC Champions/
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 2005-06 |
30-3 |
14-2 |
GSC Champions/
NCAA Sweet 16 |
| 2004-05 |
15-12 |
7-9 |
None |
| 2003-04 |
23-8 |
12-4 |
NCAA Regionals |
| 2002-03 |
18-8 |
10-6 |
GSC Tournament |
| Totals |
114-35 |
56-22 |
2 GSC Titles/
3 NCAA Berths |