TicketsMarch 13, 2007
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CINCINNATI - Laurie Pirtle, who recently completed her 21st season as the University of Cincinnati's head women's basketball coach and had a career that spanned a quarter of a century, announced she will retire from the Bearcat bench.
During her tenure, the Bearcats won 310 games and advanced to postseason play more times than under any other coach. In the last 11 years, Pirtle has guided UC to 10 winning seasons, five 20-plus win campaigns and eight postseason appearances, including seven straight from 1997-2004. Pirtle, the Bearcats' all-time winningest women's basketball coach, had a career coaching mark of 393-317.
"I've always been a big proponent of leaving it better than you found it," said Pirtle. "I am proud that I can say I did that at UC. I get emotional about the 21 wonderful years I've had here and all of the fond memories coaching the Bearcats.
"The toughest part about this decision is the kids," she added. "This is a young team. The players are great. I know they have a bright future in the BIG EAST."
Pirtle first stepped foot onto UC's campus in 1986. It took her just two seasons to transform a 6-22 program into an 18-11 winning team. Her outstanding efforts were rewarded in 1988, when she picked up Coach of the Year honors in the Metro Conference following UC's second-place finish in the league. Pirtle also earned her 100th career win that same year. Pirtle-coached teams advanced to the NCAA Tournament on four occasions, reaching the second round in 2001-02.
"Laurie has been a part of the Bearcat family for over 20 years I am saddened by the loss of such a champion for UC Athletics and women's basketball," UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "I am thankful for the leadership that Coach Pirtle has provided for our women's basketball program and for all the ways that she has served our student-athletes."
Thomas will begin a search for Pirtle's successor immediately.
"We will conduct a comprehensive search for our new head women's basketball coach," Thomas said. "Our goal is to find the best coach who will meet the high expectations of our program. UC is a great institution with a strong athletics tradition and we play in the finest women's basketball league in the country. Couple those characteristics with our outstanding facilities and we feel this will be an attractive situation for the right individual.
"We have no hard timeline set for this process, but will move swiftly and with respect to coaches whose teams are active in postseason play. While I appreciate the interest in this process I will not be available for further comment regarding this search until we announce our new head coach."
Laurie Pirtle Press Conference Quotes 03/14/07
"No matter where you are and what your decision is, it is a time of great celebration. It is a time to remember great friendships and it is a time for looking at great things that you have done with the kids. I remember when I started doing this job, which takes every second you have. I was driving the vans, I had to get my chauffeur license, and I had my assistant sit in the opposite side and play music. We have come so far. I am really really proud of what this program is and that we had the chance to leave it better than we had found it."
"It has just been a really great experience and the 21 years I have been here. I absolutely love this place, my heart and soul is in it. I have dedicated my life to (coaching). This has been my life, and it is going to be great to see my mom and dad. Since I have been 18, I have never experienced a Christmas. You don't get Christmas and holidays, so I am looking forward to the time I will get to spend with my family. But what wonderful people to work with; ushers, custodians, all the support staff, faculty and staff, it has just been a great honor to have been able to run the show."
"Last but not least, the hardest thing that I think is to walk away from (the players). Because you are really special to me, and you are going to do great great things. The journey has been good, and I know I am very sad, it is a decision that I made. I am very sad because it is hard to walk away from a place that has been home for 21 years."
-- UC --