ALMA COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH CHARLIE GOFFNETT TO RETIRE
Long-time Alma College Women’s Basketball Coach Charlie Goffnett announced on Thursday that he is retiring from leading the Scots’ hoopsters. Goffnett, who led his 1991-92 squad to the school’s only National Championship, will continue to coach the Women’s Golf team. He will also work with the Scots’ Athletic Department by taking the lead on special projects for the College.
“I believe that this is the right time for me to step away from the basketball coaching aspect of my job and let someone else take our program to the next level,” said Goffnett. “I am proud of what we have accomplished during the past 22 years here at Alma, and I have fond memories that will last forever.”
Recognized as one of the top Division III coaches in the nation, Goffnett built Alma Women's Basketball into a respected program. With three MIAA titles, five NCAA Tournament berths and one National Championship under his belt, Goffnett finishes his basketball coaching career as one of the most accomplished in the nation. He compiled a record of 334-217 in 22 seasons and recruited and coached 28 All-MIAA selections and seven league MVP’s.
“We thank Charlie for all that he has accomplished as coach of our Women’s Basketball program,” said Alma Athletic Director John Leister. “He brought our program into the national spotlight and his successes are well documented. Even though he is retiring from basketball, we are happy that he wants to continue as our Women’s Golf coach. We look forward to his continued contributions to our Alma Athletic family.”
His 1991-92 squad captured the school's first National Championship by taking five straight games on the road. He also surpassed a career milestone in 1998-99, joining an exclusive club of 35 other active Division III head coaches with 200 career wins and a winning percentage of over 65 percent.
“Although I enjoyed all of our successes, the fact that our basketball program won the school’s first-ever National Championship is truly something that I hold dear to my heart,” remarked Goffnett. “Each of the coaches here at Alma College work very hard with our student athletes to be both good players, but more importantly, good people. The championship was great, but even better, was working with the athletes on the team, and I feel very fortunate to have had that opportunity.”
Goffnett was active with women's basketball on the national level, holding a position on the Great Lakes Regional Committee, which selects the teams at the end of season competition to advance to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. Goffnett was also a regional voter for the All-America award.
As the head women's golf coach, Goffnett has led Alma to three MIAA titles and he has established a competitive program that is often near the top of the MIAA standings. In 1997, the Scots captured their third MIAA title under Goffnett's guidance. The 1994 and 1995 teams won every conference match and back-to-back MIAA championships. In 2001-02 he coached Alma's first-ever NCAA Division III national qualifier, Courtney Rheinhardt, who finished ninth. Rheinhardt is one of just six MIAA women’s golfers to earn All-America honors.
His overall coaching resume includes a season at the University of Texas, two years at the University of St. Thomas (Texas) and two at Central Michigan University. He graduated from CMU in 1980 and has also coached at the high school level in Shepherd, his hometown. His wife, Mary Ellen, is a speech pathologist for the Alma Public Schools. They and their daughter, Kathryn, reside in Alma.
-- ALMA COLLEGE ATHLETICS --
Posted: Thu, June 4th, 2009 at 12:58AM
