February 16, 2004

WPU'S MONAHAN CAPTURES HER 200TH CAREER
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACHING VICTORY

12TH-YEAR PIONEER COACH BREAKS PLATEAU WITH VICTORY OVER RIVAL MSU

William Paterson University women's basketball coach Erin Monahan collected her 200th coaching victory on February 14 as the Pioneers defeated arch NJAC rival Montclair State, 65-62. The victory improved the career record of the 12th year head coach to 200-88.

"It's nice, but it's also a credit to my assistant coaches through the years:  Keith Woods, Mary Dean, Jill Bachonski and Cori Harrington," Monahan said. "It's a credit to them and all of the hard work they've put in. Obviously we've also had some great players here. I give all of them credit."

One of the most successful coaches in the history of William Paterson athletics, Monahan has been a coaching pioneer where the women's basketball program is concerned. In 1992-93, her first season, the Pioneers won their first NJAC Conference championship. Over the next five seasons, they began an unprecedented run for William Paterson women's basketball: a 114-26 record, two berths in the NCAA Elite Eight (1994-95 and 1996-97) and two trips to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 (1993-94 and 1995-96). Overall, five of her teams have made postseason appearances.

On an individual level, 21 of her players were named to All-NJAC all-star teams and two captured NJAC Player of the Year honors:  Stephanie Arrigo in 1998-99 and Meg Renna in 1999-2000.

Last season, her squad tied for 10th among the most improved teams in Division III while posting a 12-13 record. This season, she has already guided William Paterson to its first NJAC Tournament appearance since it reached the championship game in 2000.

Off the court, her student-athletes have also enjoyed a great deal of success. Four of her players are Presidential Scholars and five members of the 2003-04 team qualified for the Dean's List for the Fall 2003 semester.

"We really wanted to give this to her - especially since it was against Montclair," senior guard Kat McPhail said.

"She's done a lot with this program," sophomore co-captain Allison Mopsick said. "She's just very deserving. This gives us another thing we could use for confidence heading into the playoffs."