Her colleagues at Metro State aren’t surprised at all that Joan McDermott is reflecting upon her coaching days as she leaves after 17 years as the athletic director. She always has had the best interests of student-athletes in mind.
McDermott is leaving Metro State to become the athletic director at Cal State East Bay in Hayward, Calif., starting April 1. But she’s not leaving without letting the coach in her guide some of her actions. For one, she doesn’t want to miss seeing how far the men’s basketball team goes in the upcoming postseason.
“I’ve missed coaching because of the daily interaction you have with the student-athletes,” McDermott said. “As the athletic director, I’ve tried to maintain that interaction as much as I could, but it hasn’t been on a daily basis.”
McDermott was scheduled to be honored at Saturday night’s men’s basketball game against CU-Colorado Springs. The Roadrunners play in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament this week.
McDermott hopes her tenure as athletic director will be graded on how well the sports programs have done, the improvement in facilities and the graduation rate.
During her tenure, the men’s and women’s teams have had extraordinary success, winning 71 RMAC championships and producing 196 All-Americans. The high points have been two NCAA Division II national championships in men’s basketball (2000 and 2002) and two in women’s soccer (2004 and 2006).
The new Regency Athletic Complex, as well as upgrades to the on-campus areas for basketball and volleyball, have greatly elevated Metro State’s facilities. The Regency Athletic Complex, which houses locker rooms, a weight room and meeting rooms and provides training and competitions sites, is scheduled to be completely open March 11.
Academically, the graduation rate of student-athletes has improved from 39 percent to 69 percent during her tenure, McDermott said. And just last week, basketball players Mitch McCarron and Nicholas Kay were selected first-team academic All-Americans.
Metro State soccer coach Ken Parsons said McDermott’s experience as a volleyball coach for three years helped make her an outstanding athletic director.
“As a former coach, she understands coaching,” Parsons said. “She was very successful as a coach, and she has been a great mentor in running an athletic department. Eleven years ago, I didn’t think it was remotely possible to have the facilities we have right now.”
Debbie Hendricks followed McDermott as volleyball coach.
“Joan is leaving a legacy of excellence here at Metropolitan State,” Hendricks said. “She has done her job with grace and integrity.”
Irv Moss: 303-954-1296, imoss@denverpost.com or
