South Portland- SMCC's men's basketball coach Matt
Richards reached a milestone in his coaching career last
night after his team defeated Unity College 96-53 in their first
YSCC Conference win of the 2008-09 campaign. It has only
taken Richards four games into his sixth season as head coach of
the Seawolves to capture his 100th career win. He has been
able to establish a respectable men's basketball program in that
short time frame.
Matt Richards took the reins of the Seawolves men's basketball
program for the 2003-04 season and has prided himself on building a
respectable and highly competitive men's basketball team.
Since taking over the program five years ago, Richards has
had 4 out of 5 winning seasons. Richards has coached the
Seawolves to a 100-53 record which places him third all time at the
college for overall wins and winning percentage in the program's
history.
Richards' teams have competed in four USCAA national tournaments
and have won back-to-back YSCC Championships (2007 & 2008).
Not only have Richards' teams had great success under his
leadership, but his players have had individual accolades as well.
During his tenure, the men's program has had 10
All-Conference selections, three All-Americans and one Academic
All-American. Players have left the program and continued
their careers at colleges throughout New England.
His players' current and past have great respect for what he has
accomplished. "There is a lot of pride being associated with
Southern Maine Community College men's basketball program.
Coach Richards has taught me more than lessons on the court
he has guided me in my transition of becoming a responsible adult,"
states Matt Ouellette current assistant coach and former player of
Richards.
"Coach Richards is dedicated to each player's needs. He has
not only helped improve my basketball skills, but also has made an
impact with me off the court. Coach has taught me to make
decisions based on what's best for the team and not me
individually," said Coleman Findlay current SMCC leading scorer.
Matt Richards is also the athletic director at Southern Maine CC and is on the USCAA Board of Directors. The USCAA congratulates his great coaching accomplishment.
Article courtesy of Becky Roak, Southern Maine CC