April 5, 2001
Audio from Press Conference
Media Coverage of Coach Fisher's Announcement
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) - Pat Fisher, the winningest coach in the history of the Lafayette College women's basketball program, announced her retirement today after 21 seasons at the helm of the women's program. Fisher will become an athletic administrator with the College.
Fisher amassed a record of 295-274 (.518) since arriving on College Hill in 1980 and earned three conference Coach of the Year honors during her tenure.
"It's been a very hard decision to come to," said Fisher. "I've been coaching basketball for about 40 years now, including high school programs, so it's very hard to imagine my life without it there. But, there comes a time and a place when it's time to move on.
"I've reached the point now where (coaching) just takes a lot out of me physically and it is very tiring. I also need to look out for my family and now is the time I feel I can give that aspect of my life the attention it needs. Those were the two big factors in this decision."
A native of Easton, Pa., Fisher coached five 20-plus win squads consecutively from 1984-1989 while leading the Leopards to the East Coast Conference title in 1985 and 1987. She earned the conference's Coach of the Year honor both of those seasons.
"Pat Fisher has served Lafayette College well for many years," said Dean of Students James F. Krivoski. "The positive influence she has had on countless students is beyond measure. Personally, I will always be grateful for Pat's commitment, loyalty, and caring.
"This is a bittersweet moment for Lafayette Athletics," said Lafayette director of athletics Eve Atkinson, "We are terribly sad to lose a tremendous coach in Pat Fisher, but happy for her as a person in that we are able to celebrate such a tremendous career. Fortunately, we will have her knowledge, experience and talents, which will serve us well as an athletics administrator."
Since the Patriot League began play in 1990, Fisher has guided two squads to the league championship game and was named the league's Coach of the Year in 1991-92. Ranked eighth all-time in the league in conference winning percentage, she has seen seven student-athletes receive All-League honors, eight earn All-Rookie nods (including a streak of seven consecutive honors through this season) and four earn All-Tournament distinction at the league tournaments.
Fisher's former pupils still hold or share eight Patriot League records, including five marks by 1994 graduate Heidi Caruso who set a new NCAA steals record with 532 in her career. All of the all-time leading scorers in the program's history have been coached by Fisher with Maureen McManus '87 topping the list with 1,813 career points.
The Leopards have fallen on some hard times in the past few years, going 46-93 from 1994-2000 and 7-21 last season. But Fisher has a feeling the program is going to turn around in the near future.
"Someone good is going to come in here and pick this program up to lead it into the future," added Fisher. "The excellent recruits coming in next season along with some outstanding returning upperclassmen should provide a solid base for the team to build upon."
A member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), Fisher was a successful coach at the high school level before arriving at Lafayette. She served as the head coach of the women's basketball and field hockey teams at her alma mater Easton High School from 1964-1980, recording a 124-57 mark with the basketball team. She was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame in 1978 and also coached the Red Rover softball team from 1970-77.
Fisher got her first coaching job in 1960 when she headed the Liberty High School women's basketball team before moving on to Easton High. She also served as an assistant coach for the Allentown Crestettes AAU team from 1975-78.
A 1960 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, Fisher went on to earn her master's degree in athletic administration from ESU in 1980. During her undergraduate days, she was an All-State basketball player who also played field hockey and softball. She became the school's first student-coach for the softball program.
Fisher was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame in March 1993. She also received the Outstanding Service Award from the Northampton County Physical Education Association in 1987.
"I've had great memories with this program," said Fisher. "All the students I've had the opportunity to coach and the friends that I've made have been very special to me. Plus the staff here is unbelievable to work with. Both the athletic and school administrators have always been so supportive of me personally and this women's program. I don't think that any coach can ask for more than that."
FISHER MILESTONES1960: Head Women's Basketball Coach, Liberty High School.1964-1980: Head Women's Basketball Coach (124-57), Head Field Hockey Coach, Easton High School.1970-77: Head Softball Coach, Easton High School.1975-77: Assistant Coach, Allentown Crestettes AAU.1978: Inducted into Easton High School Hall of Fame.1980-2001: Head Women's Basketball Coach, Lafayette College.1984-1989: Consecutive 20-plus win seasons.1985: East Coast Conference (ECC) title, named ECC Coach of the Year.1987: Outstanding Service Award, Northampton County Physical Education Association, second ECC title, ECC Coach of the Year.1991: Patriot League Coach of the Year, Patriot League Championship game.1993: Inducted into the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame.1997: Patriot League Championship game.
