Courtesy of MCLA Sports Information

NORTH ADAMS, MASS. — Following a national search, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) Director of Athletics Laura Mooney has announced that Loren Stock has been hired to lead the women's basketball program. Stock succeeds former head coach Holly McGovern, and will begin her duties effective immediately.

"I am pleased to name Loren Stock as our new head women's basketball coach," Mooney said.  "Stock has played and coached at the NCAA Division III level. Her proven ability to recruit to Western Massachusetts athletes, mixed with her student development background, make her a great fit for our program. I have confidence she will be an asset to our department, the College, and the North Adams community as a whole."

At MCLA, Stock also will serve as the coordinator of student athlete development. The role will encompass a wide range of programming that will revolve around the total development of the student athlete. She also will serve as the Department's Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor.

Stock is eager to get underway at MCLA as the preseason is just around the corner.  "It's an honor to lead the Trailblazer Women's Basketball program," the new coach stated.  "I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to work with the student-athletes, alumni, and community to build a successful program both academically and athletically.  I would also like to thank Laura Mooney and the MCLA Administration for the opportunity to join the MCLA athletic family," she continued.

Stock will inherit a program that went 14-13 last season and returned to the MASCAC semifinals.  The Trailblazers return a host of upperclassmen in 2016 and should be poised for another successful season, Mooney said. Stock and the Trailblazers will open play on Tuesday, Nov. 15, when they travel to SUNY-Cobleskill.

Previously, Stock was an assistant coach at three institutions. Her most recent stint, last year, was at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, where she facilitated game strategies along with recruiting for the Lyons.  Stock also was on staff at Westfield State University during the 2014-15 season, and compiled two years as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Western New England University (WNEU), in Springfield.

As a player at WNEU, Stock was instrumental in leading the program into the Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs during all four seasons. In addition, she was an integral piece of the program that was the conference runner up in 2008, Mooney said. 

Stock earned her undergraduate degree from WNEU in Psychology before enrolling in the Springfield College Master's program. While at Springfield, she earned her degree in Athletic Administration.  Stock served as the program coordinator at Springfield Scholar Athlete for the past three years. Her main role in the program was to prepare and assist students with post-secondary planning, athletic recruitment, job searches and interview skills.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) is the Commonwealth's public liberal arts college and a campus of the Massachusetts state university system. MCLA promotes excellence in learning and teaching, innovative scholarship, intellectual creativity, public service, applied knowledge, and active and responsible citizenship. MCLA graduates are prepared to be practical problem solvers and engaged, resilient global citizens.​