NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. —  Iona College has announced the signing of a five-year contract by women’s basketball head coach Billi Godsey, through the 2020-21 season.

Godsey had summer trips to Salisbury during her childhood, to see her grandmother, Sally Brown.

Three of Godsey’s five sisters  currently reside in Salisbury — Shayla Means, Shawn Squirewell and Rori Godsey.

“We are incredibly proud of what Billi Godsey has done for the women’s basketball program in her three short seasons,” said Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. “Coach Godsey is the right coach for the program and is a terrific representative of both the College and athletic department’s missions.”

“I would like to thank President Nyre and Rick Cole for the opportunity to continue to lead the dedicated student-athletes of Iona women’s basketball,” said Godsey. “Winning a MAAC championship is an amazing accomplishment, but it’s only the beginning. My staff and I are ready to continue the growth of this program and build on the success we have been fortunate to have.  I am very proud to be a member of the Iona family and look forward to leading the program in the years to come.”

In her first three years at the helm of the women’s basketball program, Godsey has led Iona to its most successful stretch in history. Over her tenure, Iona has a 64-33 (.660) overall record including a 46-14 (.767) mark in MAAC play.

In her first season, Godsey and her staff led the program to an Iona single-season record 26 wins, including an 18-game winning streak from Nov. 15, 2013 through Feb. 1, 2014, also a program-record. The Gaels finished as MAAC Co-Regular Season Champions, winning 18 league contests, the most in school history.