CLARION WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH "GIE" PARSONS ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
(Clarion, Pa.): Margaret "Gie" Parsons, Clarion University's talented and accomplished head women's basketball coach for the last 25-seasons, has announced her retirement as the Golden Eagles Women's Basketball mentor. Clarion will conduct a nationwide search to fill the position.
Her 25-years at Clarion have seen 5 PSAC-West titles, 3 PSAC Championships, 2 trips to the NCAA Elite 8, 2 trips to the NCAA Sweet 16, 6 NCAA D-II Playoff appearances, 12 PSAC Playoff berths and a record at Clarion of 352 – 336. Parsons vaulted women's basketball at Clarion into the national spotlight during her illustrious career, which is now coming to a close.
"We would like to thank Gie for her 25 years of dedicated service to Clarion University and to the women's basketball program," said Clarion President Karen Whitney. "Her players and teams had many successes on the court and in the classroom during her tenure and we are all very proud of those accomplishments. We thank her for all of her contributions and wish her well in retirement.
Parsons, a native of Monroeville and a 1967 graduate of Gateway High, is one of a select number of coaches in Division II with over 400 career wins. She also coached at Thiel where she was 110-73, giving her an overall coaching record of 462-409 in 33 seasons.
"I have really enjoyed my 25-years here at Clarion, but I felt the time was right for me to retire," said Parsons. "I'd like to thank former Athletic Director Frank Lignelli and then President Dr. Charles Leach for having faith in me and giving me this opportunity. I'd also like to thank the assistant coaches and graduate assistants I have been blessed to work with, as well as the talented and quality young women I have had the privilege of coaching. Without them none of this would have been possible. I still have a close relationship with a lot of former players and that is very rewarding. Last I'd like to say a special thanks to men's coach
Ron Righter, a class person who has been my rock over my career. "
Parsons first year at Clarion in the 1989-90 season saw the Golden Eagles rebuild with an 8-18 record, then she took Clarion on an unbelievable ride over the next 5 seasons that saw the Golden Eagles post an incredible record of 117-33 (78%), including a mark of 50-10 in the PSAC-West. Clarion won 5 consecutive PSAC-West titles, PSAC Championships in 1991, 1993 and 94, Elite 8 appearances in 1991 and 1994, with Sweet 16 appearances in 1992 and 93. Clarion was 24-8 in 1991, 25-4 in 1992, 24-6 in 1993, 26-4 in 1994 and 18-11 in 1995.
Under Parsons, the Golden Eagles went back to the NCAA postseason in 2005 when she guided Clarion to a 23-7 overall record and a 10-2 mark in the PSAC West. Additional top years for the Golden Eagles under Parsons include 18-9 in 2007 and 15-12 in both 2003 and 2004.
Inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame – Western Chapter in 2011 (photo above), she was a four-time PSAC-West "Coach of the Year" (2008, 2005, 1992, 1991), 2005 Russell Athletic/WBCA Region 2 "Coach of the Year", 1991 Converse District 2 Coach of the Year, 1992 Greater Pittsburgh chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award.
"This is a time to celebrate the outstanding career of Gie Parsons," said Clarion A.D.
Dave Katis. "We congratulate her on that great career and thank her for her dedicated service to women's basketball and the student athletes that she coached. We wish Gie all the best in her retirement."
Parsons came to Clarion from Thiel College where she turned a losing program into annual winners. In her third year she led her 1984 team to an 18-6 slate, then a 22-2 mark, the PAC and WKC Conference titles in 1985. Named PAC Coach of the Year in 1985, Gie led Thiel back to the PAC Title in 1986 and was again voted Coach of the Year. Her 1987 squad was 18-6 and ranked 19th in D-III. In 1988, Thiel won the PAC and qualified for the D-III Playoffs with a 19-4 record, again voted PAC Coach of the Year. She was 110-73 in eight years at Thiel, including an amazing 97-46 mark her final six seasons. In Feb. 2007, Gie was inducted into the Thiel College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.
A long-time member of the Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA), Parsons served on the WBCA Board of Directors from 2004-2010 and has been a conference captain since 2004 serving as chair of the conference captains in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 and presiding over the national Division II business meeting in 2005, 2007 and 2009. Prior to serving on the Board Directors, Parsons spent seven years on the national rules committee.
Parsons attended Slippery Rock University and played for two seasons. Earning her B.S. Degree in HPE in 1971, she taught at Lakeview High and coached from 1971-74 then went to Australia and taught and coached at Doveton Technical School from 1975-77.She also spent three years (1977-80) teaching and coaching in New Zealand. Playing internationally those six years, she was a starter for the New Zealand Club Championship teams from 1977-79. In 1980-81 she returned to SRU as a women's basketball G.A., went to Thiel in 1981-82, and was hired at Clarion on August 18, 1989. Parsons has extensive contacts in basketball and has traveled to at least 48 states in the U.S., plus internationally.
CLARION NOTES: Parsons coached 6 All-American and 39 All PSAC players in her career …The top 12 scorers all-time at Clarion played for coach Parsons, while 8 of the top 9 rebounders also played for Parsons… Top career scorer Carlita Jones (1,948 points, 1,258 rebounds 1992-95) Mona Gaffney (1,920 points, 1,079 rebounds 1993-96) Heath Cigich (1,832 points, 1,121 rebounds 2002-2005), Shannon Coakley (1,812 points 332 Three's 1991-94) Amy Coon 1,466 points 365 three's 1991-94) … Players under coach Parsons dominate all of clarion's women's basketball records across the board.
|
PARSONS COACHING CAREER AT CLARION |
|
Year |
Overall |
Per. |
PSAC-W |
Pct. |
PSAC-W Place |
PSACPly. |
NCAA Ply. |
|
2014 |
11-15 |
42.3 |
5-11 |
31.2 |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
2013 |
13-16 |
44.8% |
9-13 |
40.9% |
5th |
Ply. |
|
|
2012 |
7-19 |
36.8% |
6-16 |
27.3% |
7th |
-- |
-- |
|
2011 |
7-19 |
36.8% |
4-10 |
28.6% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
2010 |
14-13 |
51.9% |
5-9 |
35.7% |
5th |
-- |
-- |
|
2009 |
12-16 |
42.9% |
6-8 |
42.9% |
4th |
Ply. |
-- |
|
2008 |
18-9 |
66.7% |
8-4 |
66.7% |
3rd |
Ply. |
-- |
|
2007 |
9-17 |
34.6% |
4-8 |
33.3% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
2006 |
12-15 |
44.4% |
3-9 |
25.0% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
2005 |
23-7 |
76.7% |
10-2 |
83.3% |
2nd |
Fin. 4 |
Playoffs |
|
2004 |
15-12 |
55.6% |
7-5 |
58.3% |
2nd |
Ply. |
-- |
|
2003 |
15-12 |
55.6% |
5-7 |
41.7% |
5th |
-- |
-- |
|
2002 |
12-15 |
44.4% |
6-6 |
50.0% |
4th |
Ply. |
-- |
|
2001 |
10-16 |
38.5% |
3-9 |
25.0% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
2000 |
9-17 |
34.6% |
2-10 |
16.7% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
1999 |
9-17 |
34.6% |
2-10 |
16.7% |
7th |
-- |
-- |
|
1998 |
6-22 |
21.4% |
3-9 |
25.0% |
5th |
-- |
-- |
|
1997 |
12-15 |
44.4% |
6-6 |
50.0% |
4th |
Ply. |
-- |
|
1996 |
13-13 |
50.0% |
4-8 |
33.3% |
5th |
-- |
-- |
|
1995 |
18-11 |
62.1% |
9-3 |
75.0% |
*1st |
2nd |
Playoffs |
|
1994 |
26-4 |
86.7% |
11-1 |
91.7% |
*1st |
*1st |
*"Elite 8" |
|
1993 |
24-6 |
80.0% |
11-1 |
91.7% |
*1st |
*1st |
"Sweet 16" |
|
1992 |
25-4 |
86.2% |
10-2 |
83.3% |
*1st |
Final 4 |
"Sweet 16" |
|
1991 |
24-8 |
75.0% |
9-3 |
75.0% |
*1st |
*1st |
*"Elite 8" |
|
1990 |
8-18 |
30.8% |
2-10 |
16.7% |
6th |
-- |
-- |
|
25-year |
352-336 |
51.2% |
150-180 |
45.5 % |
*5 |
*3 |
*2 |
|
PARSONS COACHING CAREER AT THIEL |
|
Year |
Overall |
Per. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1989 |
7-17 |
29.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1988 |
19-6*^ |
76.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1987 |
18-6 |
75.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1986 |
13-9* |
59.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1985 |
22-2*! |
91.7% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1984 |
18-6 |
75.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1983 |
5-15 |
25.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1982 |
8-12 |
40.0% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8-year |
110-73 |
60.1% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*PAC Title; ^NCAA D-III Tournament ; !WKC Title |
PARSONS CAREER TOTALS: 33 seasons, 462-409, .530) |
