Sept. 4, 2002

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Former Purdue women's basketball standout Kelly Komara has been named the 2002 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Indiana. Ten finalists from the 50 state winners will be announced later this month. The national award will be presented on Nov. 2 in Indianapolis.

Now in its 12th year of existence, the NCAA Woman of the Year Award recognizes outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community service. Nominees for the awards must have completed their athletic eligibility.

As a senior, Komara led the Boilermakers to their second-consecutive Big Ten Conference championship while averaging 12.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 4.0 steals per game. The 5-foot-7 guard earned first team all-conference honors and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. During her four-year career in West Lafayette, Komara posted a 112-22 record to become the winningest player in Big Ten history. She was a member of three conference champion teams and played in two NCAA Women's Final Fours, winning the national championship as a freshman in 1999.

Komara, who will complete her undergraduate degree in physical education this December, was a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. She garnered first team academic all-district laurels from Verizon last year.

In addition to Komara's success on the court and in the classroom, the Schererville, Ind., native volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, worked with disabled children in THE CHAPS program, served as a spokeswoman for Choices Make Champions, and volunteered with other women's basketball community service initiatives.

More than 340 student-athletes were nominated for this year's award. Of the 50 state-level winners, 27 are from Division I schools, 12 are from Division II, and 11 are from Division III. The state winners had a composite grade point average of 3.66.

Komara joins Stephanie White-McCarty '99 and Camille Cooper '01 as Indiana state winners. White-McCarty was a finalist for the award.

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