BROWNWOOD, Texas – Monroe University – Bronx Women's Basketball Head Coach Damel Ling was honored at an NJCAA Tournament Ceremony, out in Brownwood, Texas, on Tuesday evening. Ling earned the selection of Northeast District Coach of the Year. 
This is the second time Ling has earned this honor after being a recipient the first time in March of 2024.

"Winning the District Coach of the Year is a good feeling, but it's not just about myself. It's the coaching staff and the players," Ling said. "It's all hands on deck. When you get individual awards like this, it just leans into what we say, 'when you pour into the team, good things happen.'"

Ling led Monroe – Bronx to the Region 15 and Northeast District championships this season after earning a thrilling 56-55 victory over Kingsborough Community College in overtime on March 1. It marked Ling's second regional and district titles in the past three years. For the team, it's the fourth time the program has won the two titles since its inception in 2017-18.

Monroe – Bronx will be competing in the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship in Brownwood, Texas. The Express will be the #4-seed and have earned a bye into the national quarterfinals. The Blue and Gold will play on Thursday at 3 p.m. EDT / 2 p.m. CDT against the winner of #5-seed Fulton Montgomery Community College and #12-seed Rowan College South Jersey – Gloucester, which will be played on Wednesday. All games in the NJCAA Tournament will be played at Brownwood Coliseum.

Under Ling's leadership, The Monroe University - Bronx women's basketball team has dominated during the 2025-26 season. The Express are 6-0 against teams that were nationally ranked in NJCAA Division III at the time. This includes victories over No. 4 Community College Rhode Island (January 8) and No. 6 Onondaga Community College (January 11), the latter being on the road. 

Monroe has produced a 26-6 overall record this year, including an impressive 22-1 record against NJCAA Division III teams. The Express entered the Region 15 Postseason as the #1-seed on their way to the regional and district titles. Monroe has been nationally ranked throughout the year, including a ranking of No. 4 in the NJCAA Division III National Poll. 

For updates regarding Monroe – Bronx's journey in the upcoming NJCAA Tournament, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels.

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe University marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.

For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).