When you talk about coaching excellence in college basketball there are but a few names that will quickly come to mind. Names like Walter Rupp, John Wooden, Dean Smith, Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K.), and Bobby Knight may be some of the first you or your friends may come up with.
But what about great college coaches in women’s basketball? Names like Pat Summit and Geno Auriemma may be the first and only two that may come to mind.
Right here at USM there is a coach that is among the elite in all of Div. III NCAA Basketball and perhaps all of America.
Gary Fifield is now in his 17th season as Head Coach of the USM Women’s Basketball team. During the previous 16 years, he has built a legacy that is second to none in all of Div. III basketball.
In his tenure, Fifield’s resume ranks second to none in any coaching fraternity. His teams have never won less than 20 games in a season and have never lost more than seven. He has continued a streak of 17 straight appearances to the NCAA Tournament. With two championship games, three Final 4’s, eight Elite 8’s, and 12 Sweet 16’s, it is easy to see why Fifield is so highly thought of in the college coaching circles.
Just two weeks ago in their third game of the season to Bates College at the Hill Gymnasium, Fiefield’s ladies gave him a present that only few coaches can only dream, a 400th game coaching victory.
Most coaches might let such an achievement go to their head, but not Fifield. “Coach Fife,” as his players fondly refer to him, just took it in stride in the usual professional manner we are so accustomed to seeing from him.
Looking at the Honor Roll on the USM Athletics website (www.usm.maine.edu/athl) you will find a who’s who of former and current great players. You will find the names of former ” All-Americans” like Joanne Brown, Julie Plant, Laura Pate, Diana Duff, and Maureen Burchill as well as current players like Meg Cressler and last season’s Little East Rookie of the Year Tiffany Jones.
Over the last two-plus year’s I have had the privilege and honor of being able to cover USM Basketball on WMPG as the radio play-by-play voice of the Huskies and it still amazes me how Fifield stays on top as one of the best at his trade.
Last year I felt the Lady Huskies had all the pieces to complete the one challenge that Fifield has yet to accomplish, to be named National Champion. Last year’s run ended at the Sweet 16 while rival Eastern Connecticut, who finished second in the Little East and were swept in the regular season by league champion USM, marched on to the final game. I am sure that wasn’t easy for Fifield.
However, this is a new year and an even stronger team. This balance of experienced and young players are hungry to cut-down net to give Fifield his long-awaited NCAA Championship ring to go along with all the other awards and plaques in his office.
As the song says, Coach Fife “You are simply the best!”
Jim Ward can be contacted at [email protected]