May 12, 2011
Photo Gallery | Video of the Reception/Interviews
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham University officially welcomed new head women's basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley to the school at a welcome reception on Wednesday, May 11th, at Butler Commons in the Duane Library.
Gaitley arrived at Rose Hill last month with a plethora of head coaching experience, including a stint in the Atlantic 10, guiding teams at Monmouth, Long Island University, Saint Joseph's University and the University of Richmond over the past 25 years. She has compiled a 464-270 career record (.630 winning percentage) over that span, including 12 20-wins seasons.
Gaitley was greeted by current members of the women's basketball team as well as some former players, in addition to members of the Fordham faculty and administration and the Gaitley family.
Frank McLaughlin, Executive Director of Athletics, commenced the reception by welcoming everyone, specifically Gaitley and her family.
"This is a great day for Fordham women's basketball," said McLaughlin. "Stephanie Gaitley has been successful everywhere she's been and she truly cares for the student-athletes, both academically and as a person. We are thrilled to have Stephanie Gaitley as our coach."
Gaitley then took the podium and thanked her family, many of which were in attendance.
"I believe you can't make an important decision without a strong family," said Gaitley. "I have been surrounded by a lot of love from my family, especially my mother and father who have been the most inspirational people in my life."
On the move from Monmouth to Fordham, Gaitley touched on the Jesuit traditions, something she first encountered as the head coach at Saint Joseph's University from 1992-2001 where she led the Hawks to five 20-win seasons and two Atlantic 10 Championships in her time there while earning five NCAA Tournament bids, including three at-large berths. Her teams advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament three times and she earned both a preseason and postseason WNIT bid. She led the Hawks to a 196-88 mark in her ten years in Philadelphia, 109-39 in the A-10, and currently sits as the second-winningest coach in school history.
"It's really exciting to be a part of the Jesuit tradition," said Gaitley. "When I was at Saint Josephs, I always thought that Fordham was a gold mine. And when I came to visit I was blown away by the passion of the people. They were all so warm and welcoming."
Gaitley wrapped up her talk by looking to the future of Fordham women's basketball.
"I'm extremely excited about the opportunity to build on the traditions at Fordham," stated Gaitley. "I spoke with the former players and told them that I want to get the team back to where it was when they played. But we'll have to patient as it won't be a quick fix. I told the team that you don't judge yourself on numbers. I always say that you try to win the day and if you do the other things will take care of themselves."
