Original article (Holy Cross and Maureen Magarity Agree to Contract Extension) on the College of the Holy Cross’ athletic website goholycross.com.
Holy Cross and head women’s basketball coach Maureen Magarity have agreed to a new three-year contract extension, Associate Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Kit Hughes announced on Thursday, Nov. 3. The new contract will keep Magarity as the head coach of Crusader women’s basketball through the 2027-28 season.
“I want to congratulate Coach Magarity on this well-earned extension and recognition of the great work she is doing here at Holy Cross,” said Hughes. “I know that our student-athletes, staff and entire basketball community will benefit greatly from her continued leadership, and I am enthusiastic about the future development of her vision for the program. We will continue to celebrate and reward excellence within Holy Cross Athletics, and I am thrilled to continue our investment in women’s basketball here on Mount St. James.”
In two seasons as Holy Cross’ head coach, Magarity has led the program to a 27-19 overall record and 21-11 mark in Patriot League contests, as well as the 2021-22 Patriot League regular season championship. She has coached two Patriot League major award winners, two All-Patriot League selections, two league All-Defensive Team honorees and two All-Rookie Team choices.
“I am incredibly grateful to President Vincent Rougeau, Kit Hughes and Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Senior Woman Administrator Rose Shea for the confidence and belief they have in me and my family,” said Magarity. “I am looking forward to building on the foundation of our success and continuing to lead a program that represents our alumni, fans and Worcester community.
“Thank you to our coaches, players and support staff that give so much to this program. They are the ones that make Holy Cross such a special place and it’s an honor to continue to lead this team. Go Cross Go!”
Entering the 2021-22 season ranked fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Magarity helped the Crusaders exceed expectations with a 20-11 overall record and a 14-4 mark in Patriot League play, good enough for the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Magarity guided Holy Cross to its 22nd 20-win season in program history and the first Patriot League regular-season championship since 2004-05.
The Crusaders set the team record with 14 conference wins and made the WNIT Tournament for the first time since 2002. Magarity was selected as the 2021-22 Patriot League Coach of the Year for her efforts.
Magarity’s teams thrive on the defensive end, as they finished the 2021-22 campaign ranking second in the Patriot League in scoring defense (56.5), 3-point field goal percentage defense (27.8%), field goal percentage defense (37.0%) and turnovers forced (15.52).
As bench boss at Holy Cross, Magarity’s Crusaders are 25-3 (.893) when holding opponents under 60 points in a game and are 21-2 (.913) when leading at halftime.
Magarity earned her first win at Holy Cross versus Army West Point against her father, Dave— in what was believed to be the first father-daughter coaching matchup in Division I history. In her first season on The Hill, Magarity led the Crusaders to their first win over Boston University since the 2018-19 season and the No. 5 seed in the Patriot League Tournament.
The Crusaders begin the 2022-23 season on the road at Merrimack on Nov. 7. Holy Cross opens its home schedule against New Hampshire on Nov. 16 at the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. Season tickets and single-game tickets for the 2022-23 campaign are now on sale through the Holy Cross Ticket Office.