Courtesy of Vermont Athletic Media Relations
BURLINGTON, Vt. - Lori Gear
McBride has been named head coach of the women's basketball program
at
the University of Vermont, Associate Vice President and Director of
Athletics Dr. Robert Corran announced today.
"We are excited to have Lori Gear McBride assume the leadership of
our
women's basketball program. We know that, under her direction, our
student-athletes will continue to be outstanding representatives of our
university, focused on excellence in their academic work and on the
basketball court," stated Corran.
"Lori's predecessors have set a high standard for the women's
basketball
program but she has shown the qualities and character needed to take the
program to even greater heights. We are honored to introduce her as the
newest member of our community and look forward with much anticipation
to
the 2010-2011 season and the years ahead."
Gear McBride, who won an NCAA National Championship as a member of
the
University of North Carolina squad in 1994, is the seventh head coach at
Vermont since 1979.
Gear McBride comes to Vermont after spending the past five seasons as
the head women's basketball coach at Colby College. During her stint at
Colby, Gear McBride can be credited with turning the program around.
She
arrived at the Waterville, Maine school inheriting a team that had
posted
losing seasons in three of the previous four years, and quickly turned
Colby into one of the top Division III teams in the country.
"I want to thank Dr. Corran and the search committee for providing
this
opportunity. Vermont is a program I have revered since my childhood. I
grew up watching and following the program and I will work tirelessly to
continue its tradition of excellence in every facet of the
student-athlete
experience."
"I am very excited to not only lead the women's basketball program at
Vermont, but to embrace the wonderful community that supports the
program.
I look forward to being involved in the greater Burlington area and
becoming a part of the Vermont athletics family."
This past season she led the Mules to a 24-5 record, setting a new
school record for most wins. Colby was ranked second in New England,
the
highest ranking the program has achieved, and also earned its first-ever
national ranking in 2009-10. The Mules climbed as high as No. 20 in the
USA Today/ESPN Division III Top 25 Coaches' Poll.
Gear McBride led Colby to a second place finish this past year, the
highest finish in the program's history. The Mules advanced to the
NESCAC
Championship game where it fell to top-ranked Amherst. Colby went on to
earn its first-ever NCAA Tournament bid and hosted its first-ever NCAA
game. Colby defeated Husson in the opening round, but fell to Babson in
double-overtime in the second round.
Gear McBride's Colby squads also excelled academically, posting a
3.49
team grade point average this fall.
"I believe strongly in the symmetry between academic and athletic
success and the appreciation of this at Vermont was very attractive. We
will be a program that works hard toward achieving success in both areas
and supports the young women in every possible way."
Gear McBride also brings six years of coaching experience at the
Division I level to the Vermont program. She spent five years as an
assistant at Seton Hall University (1998-2003), including two years as
assistant head coach. She also spent the 2003-04 campaign as an
assistant
at University of North Carolina-Charlotte where she helped produce a
top-30
recruiting class.
Following her one-year stint at UNC-Charlotte, Gear McBride returned
to
New Jersey to take the head girl's basketball coaching position at
Scotch
Plains-Fanwood High School (Scotch Plains, N.J.). She led the team to a
24-5 record, including a berth in the state playoffs and the Union
County
Championship. Three of her players went on to continue their careers at
the
Division I level, including 2006 Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Year Hillary
Klimowicz.
Gear McBride, who was born in Montreal and grew up in Lennoxville,
Quebec, earned a master's degree in corporate and public communications
from Seton Hall. She graduated from North Carolina in 1997 with a
bachelor's degree in education.
While a member of the Tar Heels, she was one of two freshmen to play
on
the 1994 national championship team (the other was Marion Jones). Gear
McBride played on three Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship
teams
in her four years and was a co-captain as a junior and senior. She was
the
North Carolina women's basketball scholar-athlete in 1997 and was
selected
to the ACC Athletic Honor Roll all four years. While at North Carolina
the
Tar Heels went 105-24 in Gear McBride's four years.
Following her collegiate career, she played one season of
professional
basketball in Portugal.
Gear McBride also played in the Canada Basketball system from
1992-1995.
She represented her home country in two World University Games and
played
for the Canadian National Team in 1995. She played scholastically at
Alexander Galt High School and Champlain College (Lennoxville).
Gear McBride and her husband, Pat, are the proud parents of two
children
- Jackson (4) and Allie (9 months).
What They Are Saying About Lori Gear McBride
Sylvia Hatchell, North Carolina Head Women's Basketball Coach
"I am excited for Lori and I'm excited for Vermont. This is a win-win
situation for both parties. Lori has a great passion for the game.
She's
a technician, a great motivator, recruiter, and family person. She also
loves to get involved and be a part of the community. She is the whole
package and a great fit for Vermont."
Dick Whitmore, Colby College Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Lori has worked exceedingly hard to develop our Colby program and
shepherded our women's program to a phenomenal season this past year.
Lori
is a professional with a great work ethic. The blend of knowledge and
leadership skills will serve UVM very well. In recruiting, Lori is
superb
as a representative of the institution as well as being remarkable in
her
ability to attract players of high quality."
Sylvia Crawley, Boston College Head Women's Basketball Coach
"Vermont could not have made a better decision in hiring Lori Gear
McBride.
The Catamounts will benefit tremendously from the character, passion
and
commitment that Lori will bring to program."