Dec. 9, 1999

COLUMBIA, Mo.- University of Missouri women's basketball coach CINDY STEIN has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension, Director of Athletics MICHAEL ALDEN announced today. Stein, who was operating on a contract that would carry her through the 2002 season, has signed a two year-extension that will take her through the 2004 campaign. The contract goes into effect on Jan. 1 and carries with it a significant increase in base salary.

"The University of Missouri is not taking this step just because of the success on the court," Alden said. "We're doing this because of the total success of Cindy's program. Her student-athletes are doing well in school and in the community, as well as on the basketball court. She has her program headed in the direction that we had all hoped for."

Stein is currently in her second season at Missouri. She led her team to a 13-15 record and a 10th place finish in the Big 12 Conference a year ago. Missouri was picked to finish 12th in the conference race in both the coaches and media polls. Instead, Stein guided her team to upset wins over Nebraska and Oklahoma, as well as a first round Big 12 Tournament win over Baylor. The Tigers also came just seconds away from upsetting the two-time Big 12 champions, Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas.

"I am extremely pleased with the faith that Mike Alden, Dr. (Richard) Wallace and the University of Missouri have demonstrated to me and our program," Stein said. "It is a great honor to work for such as fine administration and university. I hope that I can be a true ambassador of MU and represent our outstanding faculty and staff."

So far this season, the Tigers are off to a 6-1 start, including tournament victories at San Diego State and their own Unilever Missouri Lady Tiger Classic. Stein brought in a blue-chip recruiting class that included two Junior College All-Americans and the Missouri State High School Player-of-the-Year. That class is already paying dividends for the Missouri program. Just recently, the Tigers signed three more top-notch recruits in the early signing period.

Off of the court, Missouri has had two players named Big 12 Community Champions and has had numerous players rewarded for their work in the classroom.