KANSAS CITY, MO. – After leading her team to their first Red Banner in program history in 2024, SCAD Savannah (Ga.) head coach Rebecca Gunn was tabbed as the 2024 Select Sport America NAIA Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. This is the first time Gunn has been awarded this honor in her coaching career.

After 19 years at the helm of the Bees Women’s Soccer Program, Gunn reached the mountaintop of the NAIA, winning the program's first Red Banner with an overall record of 20-1-2. Throughout the 2024 season, Gunn and company were staples in the Coaches’ Top 25 poll, climbing as high as 13 in the final regular season release.

SCAD was dominant through the postseason this year, going back to their victory over Sun Conference foe to secure an automatic berth into the tournament. After receiving a first-round bye in the national tournament, the Bees allowed just two goals over five games improving their postseason record to 6-5-0 across six national tournament appearances all under the leadership of head coach Gunn.

During the 2024 season alone, Gunn coached the NAIA Championship Most Valuable Player and the NAIA Championship Outstanding Offensive Player in Sydney Chura: along with the NAIA Championship Outstanding Defensive Player in Lois Beer. In addition to the championship awards, she also coached four NAIA All-Americans, two College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-America Team honorees, and two United Soccer Coaches All-American Team players.

The 2024 Select Sport America-NAIA National Coach of the Year is voted on by the NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches Association and is announced at the annual National Convention. To be eligible, a head coach must be selected as their conference or unaffiliated group coach of the year or lead their team to the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Final Site.