The Good 5 Cent Cigar

Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Lauren Gingerella Cathy Inglese, former head coach of women's basketball at Boston College and University of Vermont, announced in a press conference last week she is excited to lead URI's women's basketball team.

04/23/09 - Not more than two weeks ago, the University of Rhode Island women's basketball team was on its own, without a coach. Now, with spring practice and training getting underway, the team plans to bounce back from a disappointing season with the tutelage of a new, determined leader.

"I think experience is a big thing," new head coach Cathy Inglese said. "I've had the experience of helping to turn around two programs. I'm just looking to try to change the culture a little bit and what I mean by that is the team chemistry, the attitude and the willingness to try to go the extra mile."

Before being announced as Rhode Island's newest head coach, Inglese spent time coaching at the University of Vermont and then coached in the Atlantic Coast Conference, leading Boston College to a 273-179 record in a 15-year span.

"I think the size and the athleticism will probably be the biggest thing," Inglese said when asked what she feels will be the biggest difference between the ACC and the Atlantic 10. "Each team has outstanding players. There are not just a few kids or one or two players on each team. Most teams have four or five great players."

In addition to her 273 career victories at BC, Inglese posted a 120-74 record in her time at Vermont, making her just seven victories shy of 400 for her career. Even with that milestone near in sight, Inglese mentioned the strength of the A-10 Conference and the difficulty it may present.

"I love the conference," Inglese said. "I think it's a really, really competitive conference. I like the fact that they've had different teams go on. They had three teams make the NCAA tournament and five made the NIT last year. That's eight teams, so I really like the competitiveness of the conference."

Inglese posted back-to-back undefeated seasons at Vermont from 1991-1993, compiling an incredible 57-0 record in that span. In addition to becoming the first NCAA coach to ever post consecutive undefeated seasons, Inglese led BC to eight 20-win seasons, while making an appearance in seven NCAA tournaments.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools