May 27, 2008

Pocatello, ID --- Seton Sobolewski, an assistant at UC-Riverside for the past six seasons, has been named by Acting Director of Athletics Jeff Tingey as the 12th Head Women's Basketball Coach in Idaho State history, replacing Jon Newlee, who left the Bengals on April 15 to take over the University of Idaho's program.

Sobolewski (so ba LES ski), 30, has been a major part of the Highlander's success in transforming from a Division II program to a Division I program that has a Big West regular season title, two Big West Tournament titles, two NCAA appearances, and a near tournament upset of #8 Arizona State in 2007, dropping a 58-51 decision in Los Angeles. The last four of those years were spent serving under John Margaritis, who was a former assistant coach at Northern Arizona.

"We are excited to have Seton as our new head women's basketball coach," said Tingey. "Seton is one of the game's bright young minds, and he was an instant hit with everyone that met him on his visit to campus. His knowledge of the motion offense should make for a very smooth transition, and his experience with all facets of the game, including recruiting and his knowledge of the Big Sky will help keep Idaho State at the top of the Big Sky Conference."

While serving as recruiting coordinator at UC Riverside, Sobolewski recruited and coached 2007 Big West Conference Player of the Year Kemie Nkele. The players brought in during his time as recruiting coordinator earned one Big West Conference Player of the Year award, one Freshman of the Year award, one Defensive Player of the Year award, two Big West Conference tournament MVP awards, four All-Big West Tournament awards, four First-Team All-Big West conference awards, three Second Team All-Big West Conference awards, seven Honorable Mention All-Big West Conference awards, five All-Big West Freshman Team awards, eight Big West Conference Player of the Week awards, and three Big West Academic All-Conference award winners. These awards were won over three seasons.

Seton Sobolewski inherits a team that has five postseason berths in the last eight years

Sobolewski served one year as an assistant with the men's program at Yavapai Junior College, where the team advanced to the region tournament after going 19-12 for the year. In 2000-01, Sobolewski served as an assistant with the girls' basketball program at Coconino High School in Flagstaff, where he served under Head Coach Jenny Shayani, Coconino improved nine games that year to 15-12 overall.

In coming to Idaho State, Sobolewski takes over one of the top programs in the Big Sky Conference, as the Bengals have qualified for the postseason five times in the past eight seasons, winning regular season titles in 2001 and 2006, winning the conference tournament in 2001 and 2007, advancing to the NCAA Tournament both of those seasons. The Bengals have also qualified for the WNIT in 2004, 2006, and 2008.

Seton attended Eastern Arizona College, starting on the men's basketball team for two years before moving to Oklahoma Panhandle State University a Division II school in Goodwell, Oklahoma, where he was selected to Who's Who in America's Colleges and Universities in 1998. A 2001 graduate of Northern Arizona University with a bachelor of sciences degree in biology with an emphasis in secondary education, Sobolewski got his start by serving as a manager under former Head Coach Meg Sanders for the 1999-2000 season.

Sobolewski is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. He will officially begin his duties at Idaho State on June 16. Sobolewski will be introduced to the media at a press conference at 3:00 pm on Wednesday in the Sports Medicine Building.

What They Are Saying About Seton Sobolewski

"Seton is a tremendous up-and-coming young coach who will be a great servant leader for the program and the community of Pocatello. He has learned under highly successful coaches and is a proven recruiter and basketball strategist." -Charli Turner Thorne, Head Coach, Arizona State

"Seton Sobolewski is the total package. He is a person of integrity, a proven recruiter, and an intense competitor. Seton's passion for the game, commitment to serve the student-athlete, and talent for building relationships will serve the athletic department, university, and surrounding community well. He is an outstanding choice to lead the Idaho State Women's basketball program." -Meg Sanders, Assistant Coach, Arizona State and former Head Coach at Northern Arizona

"As a search committee member, I'm excited that ISU was able to get a coach from the cream that rose to the top. I'm excited about the enthusiasm and the desire to win that Seton will bring to women's basketball at ISU. He really wanted to be here, and I think we'll all be the better for it." -Jerry Miller, ISU Women's Basketball Play-by-Play Announcer and Search Committee Member

"We are excited to have Seton as our new head women's basketball coach. Seton is one of the game's bright young minds, and he was an instant hit with everyone that met him on his visit to campus. His knowledge of the motion offense should make for a very smooth transition, and his experience with all facets of the game, including recruiting and his knowledge of the Big Sky will help keep Idaho State at the top of the Big Sky Conference." -Jeff Tingey, Idaho State Acting Director of Athletics

"First of all he's a gentleman in every respect. He's organized hard working and loyal. Has the ability to work extremely well with people of all ages. He is admired and respected by our staff, players, colleagues, and administrators up and down the hallway. Even though he's young he has tremendous experience. Idaho State is lucky to have him and we'll miss him." -John Margaritis, UC Riverside Head Coach