whoUniversity of Minnesota women's basketball coach Pam Borton has been rewarded with a seven-year contract extension that was signed on Monday, athletic director Joel Maturi announced today. Borton, who was in the third season of her original six-year contract, is now committed to the Golden Gopher program through the 2010-11 season.

"I'm extremely excited for Pam and our women's basketball program and very appreciative for Pam's commitment to our program, University and community," said Maturi. "It's our goal to make all of our coaches competitive in their professional marketplace and reward them for a job well done. This is a step in the right direction with Coach Borton."

"I'm thankful to Joel and the administration for their recognition of my commitment to this program," said Borton. "The basketball program has experienced a great amount of success over the last two years. I'm looking forward to continuing our building of this program and a tradition of success here at Minnesota."

Borton signed a seven-year contract with a base salary starting at $180,000. The contract includes an $80,000 guaranteed compensation package increasing the total compensation package to approximately $260,000.

Borton has guided the Golden Gophers to a pair of 25-win seasons, including leading Minnesota to its first Final Four a year ago. She owns an overall record of 50-15 at Minnesota and a mark of 119-61 in six seasons overall as a head coach. Borton was a finalist for the Naismith National Coach of the Year honor in 2003 and in 2004, was honored as the New England Basketball Hall of Fame's National Coach of the Year.