Southeastern extends women’s basketball coach Guzzardo’s contract through 2020-21

HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana University has extended the contract of head women’s basketball coach Ayla Guzzardo through the 2020-21 season, Southeastern Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced Tuesday.

Guzzardo’s extension is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System’s Board of Supervisors.

Guzzardo completed her first season at the helm of the Lady Lion program in March. In her first season on the sidelines, SLU posted its most wins both overall and in conference play since the 2013-14 campaign. Artigues believes Guzzardo and her staff have Southeastern headed in the right direction.

“Ayla has done a fantastic job thus far with our women’s basketball program,” Artigues commented. “We’re very pleased with the direction the Lady Lions are headed and we couldn’t be happier to have her guiding our program towards a Southland Conference championship.”

Guzzardo, a native of Hammond and a St. Thomas Aquinas High School alumni, is excited to continue the growth of the SLU program.

“I’m very thankful that our administration has the confidence in myself and our staff to continue to lead this program,” Guzzardo said. “Southeastern is my hometown school so I’m extremely dedicated to making this program as successful as possible.

“We’re very excited about the recruiting class that is joining us this coming fall,” Guzzardo continued. “We’re bringing high-quality student-athletes to Southeastern. The future is bright for the Lady Lions.”

Guzzardo’s squad will open the 2018-19 season on Nov. 7 with a non-conference contest at Alabama.