San Jose State women's hoops coach has breast cancer, takes leave

8/29/2006 4:49 PM

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -San Jose State women's basketball coach Janice Richard took a medical leave of absence Tuesday to undergo chemotherapy for breast cancer.

The 42-year-old Richard is 93-106 in seven seasons with the Spartans, returning respectability to a program that had just one winning season in the previous 18 years. Richard was the Western Athletic Conference's coach of the year in 2002, and San Jose State won 18 games in the 2004-05 season.

``I have a big fight ahead of me,'' Richard said. ``I have to focus on this mentally and physically. My doctor told me malignant tumors have been found, and that I must begin chemotherapy in September. There is no timetable on the length of time treatments will take place, but I do know I will need surgery. I have to take care of this condition now.''

Greg Lockridge, hired last month as Richard's assistant, will coach the team in her absence. Lockridge has experience as an assistant at Sacramento State and Fresno State, and has been a head coach of men's teams in Great Britain.

``Our prayers will be for Janice as she begins her treatments,'' San Jose State athletic director Tom Bowen said. ``At this point, her health and well-being are paramount.''