Southern Maine's Matt Richards Reaches 100 Win Milestone

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