Courtesy of University of New Hampshire athletic media relations
DURHAM, N.H.
– Maureen Magarity (Marist '03) was named
University of New Hampshire women's basketball head coach by UNH
Athletic Director Marty Scarano on Tuesday. Magarity is the sixth
head coach in the 35-year history of the program and comes to UNH
after a four-year stint at the United States Military Academy,
where she served as the associate head coach from 2009-10.
“We are very excited to
announce Maureen Magarity as the next head coach for UNH Women's
basketball,” said Scarano. “The search committee and
myself did extensive referencing and outreach to find just the
right fit for our program and as we progressed, time and again
Maureen's name came back as someone who is right for UNH and has
fabulous potential as a head coach. The more we researched the more
we liked what we heard.”
In Magarity's four years at West
Point, the Black Knights compiled an overall record of 72-48,
including a program-best 24-win campaign during the 2006-07 season.
In her first three years on the job, Army averaged 20 wins a
season, the best three-year span in program history.
“I am excited and honored for
this amazing opportunity,” said Magarity. “I have been
fortunate to work for great coaches and be involved with successful
programs during my career. I am confident those experiences will
benefit me as I begin this exciting chapter of my life. I am so
grateful to Mr. Scarano and am extremely proud to be a part of the
UNH family.”
Magarity started at West Point in
2006-07 as an assistant coach and was elevated to the title of
associate head coach in August of 2009. Tagged as the team's
recruiting coordinator, Magarity assisted in all aspects of the
program, including the organization of official, unofficial, home
and school visits with prospects. She also assisted with the
coordination of practice, budget management, scouting opponents and
monitoring academics.
However, her main focus was player
development for both the wing and post players. In her time on the
bench, she has coached two players to All-Patriot League honors and
helped one student-athlete earn the program's first Patriot League
Scholar-Athlete of the Year award this past season.
In addition to her tenure at Army,
Magarity's collegiate coaching experience includes stints as an
assistant coach at Fairfield University (2005-06) and Marist
College (2004-05).
Prior to a one-year stint at
Fairfield University, Magarity served as an assistant coach at
Marist College, helping lead the Red Foxes to a program-best 22-7
record, on their way to winning the Metro Atlantic Athletic
Conference regular season championship.
Magarity earned a B.A. in
Communications and Public Relations with a minor in Psychology from
Marist College in 2003. In addition, she also earned an M.P.A. in
Public Administration while at Marist in 2005. As a player,
Magarity served as team captain during her junior and senior
seasons, helping the Red Foxes to their first NCAA Tournament
appearance in 2004. She garnered two All-MAAC Second Team
selections, and was a 2004 MAAC All-Tournament Team choice.
Magarity earned two MAAC Scholar-Athlete awards (2002, 2004) and
received the James Pizzani Award for dedication and loyalty as a
senior.
Before transferring to Marist, she played one season at Boston
College. While at BC, the Eagles reached the semifinals of the
preseason WNIT, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA
Tournament in 2000.
Magarity married her husband Brendan Copes in the summer of
2009. The couple currently resides in New Windsor, N.Y.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT MAUREEN MAGARITY
Marty Scarano, UNH Athletic Director
“Maureen is an energetic, bright, positive and well-prepared
individual, who has a great vision for UNH Women's basketball. More
importantly, she wants to build this program with integrity and
commitment both on and off the court. Maureen will be a great asset
to the sport of women's basketball and UNH in particular and we are
excited about her joining us and getting started.”
Brian Giorgis, Marist Women's Basketball Head
Coach
“I think it is a tremendous hire for New Hampshire. Maureen
is a person of great integrity and has great knowledge of the game.
She is the right person for [UNH] to get its program back on
track.”
Jamie Dixon, Pittsburgh Men's Basketball Head
Coach
“Maureen is a person I've known for a long time. She brings
great passion and enthusiasm to everything she does. I know she
will give the University of New Hampshire a great coach and a great
representation of the University in every way. They not only hired
a great coach, but a great person, who will be a friend to all her
players.”
Dave Magarity, Army Women's Basketball Head
Coach
“It is always thrilling when one of your assistants becomes
a head coach. As a parent, it is an incredibly proud moment to see
your daughter named as the head women's basketball coach of the
University of New Hampshire. Maureen has always been a tireless
worker and relentless recruiter. Her personal and professional
background has prepared her for this great opportunity. Her
dedication, loyalty, and leadership skills will be a tremendous
asset to the University and the community.”