LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (June 23) – California University of Pennsylvania head women's golf coach MerriLyn Gibbs was selected the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Women's Golf Coach of the Year, announced the league office on Tuesday.

Gibbs, who finished her fourth year as head coach of the women's program in 2008-09, earned PSAC Coach of the Year honors for the first time in her career. This season, she guided the Vulcans to their first-ever PSAC Championship during the fall season and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Regional Championships, which were hosted by Cal U at nearby Cedarbrook Golf Course.

Including the PSAC Championship, Gibbs coached Cal U to a total of five invitational titles this season. The Vulcans also featured five medalists in 13 events played during the 2008-09 campaign.

A three-year player at Brigham Young University during her college career, Gibbs mentored PSAC Player of the Year Simone DeSouza (Trujillo, Peru/Fleming) and PSAC Freshman of the Year Dianne Luke (Mirisarawak, Malaysia/Saint Columba) at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships. It marked the first time in program history that Cal U qualified multiple golfers for the national event.

Under Gibbs' tutelage, DeSouza concluded her as the most decorated women's golfer in school history as she qualified for three-straight NCAA National Championships and was a two-time National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American.