Editor's Note: As a tribute to head coach Brian Giorgis' 21 years at Marist, we have highlighted one milestone win of his career, and the story behind it, over a 21-week span. This is the series finale.
 
Week One: Giorgis' First Win | Week Two: First Regular-Season Title | Week Three: '04 MAAC Championship |Week Four: '06 MAAC Championship | Week Five: '07 MAAC Championship | Week Six: First NCAA Tournament Win | Week Seven: Red Foxes Reach Sweet Sixteen | Week Eight: '08 MAAC Championship | Week Nine: '08 NCAA Tournament Win Over DePaul | Week 10: '09 MAAC Championship | Week 11: '10 MAAC Championship | Week 12: '11 MAAC Championship | Week 13: '11 NCAA Tournament Win Over Iowa State | Week 14: '12 MAAC Championship | Week 15: '12 NCAA Tournament Win Over Georgia | Week 16: '13 MAAC Championship | Week 17: Marist Defeats Oklahoma | Week 18: '14 MAAC Championship | Week 19: Giorgis Founds 400/400 Club | Week 20: '21 MAAC Championship
 
 
POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – In so many ways, multiple events that occurred in Brian Giorgis' final two years as the head coach of Marist women's basketball served as a celebration of his storied career.
 

Gebbia, Kresge Return

On the first weekend of the 2021-22 season, Giorgis welcomed some friends back to Poughkeepsie for a three-day tournament. Megan Gebbia, with former Marist players Nikki Flores and Emily Stallings on staff, brought her American team. Alisa Kresge, with former Marist assistant coach Dominique Bryant and former Marist player Eileen Van Horn on staff, brought her Vermont team.
 
It was the first time Giorgis had faced either Gebbia or Kresge, and the first time Gebbia and Kresge faced off as head coaches.
 
Gebbia, Flores, Stallings, and American left town with two wins. The Eagles defeated Marist 59-52 on the first night, and topped Vermont 68-61 in overtime the next day. Marist earned a 67-50 triumph over Vermont on the final day.


 

Victories 450 & 451

Giorgis won 451 games in 19 years at Our Lady of Lourdes High School. In his 20^th season at Marist, he earned his 450^th win against Saint Peter's on Feb. 17, 2022, and his 451^st at Rider four days later.
 

Announcement

On Feb. 28, 2022, Giorgis announced his retirement following the conclusion of the 2022-23 regular season. Erin Doughty, who ascended from walk-on to student assistant coach to number three assistant to number two assistant to top assistant to associate head coach over the past 20 years, was named Giorgis' successor.
 
A press conference was held at McCann Arena two days later.


 

Kiara's 44

On Jan. 19, 2023, Giorgis witnessed a new single-game program scoring record when Kiara Fisher went for 44 points in an 83-77 victory at Mount St. Mary's. Fisher went 12-for-19 from the field, 4-for-7 from three-point range, and 16-for-16 from the free-throw line. Fisher also set program records for most free throws made in a game and most free throws made without a miss.
 

300 MAAC Wins

Giorgis notched another milestone when he became the first coach in MAAC history to earn 300 wins in conference play. This occurred in a 75-66 triumph at Manhattan on Feb. 17.
 

McCann Farewell

Giorgis' final game at McCann Arena was on Feb. 25, 2023, and the entire day was a reunion and celebration.
 
The opponent, by Giorgis' request, was Niagara. Jada Pierce, the head coach of the Purple Eagles, was a Marist assistant in the Sweet Sixteen of 2006-07. Although Niagara won the game, the celebration won the day.
 
Giorgis had several family members in attendance, and they took the floor with him in a pregame ceremony in which he received a personalized golf bag. At the conclusion of the game, all of Giorgis' former players in attendance from both Marist and Our Lady of Lourdes joined him at center court as Giorgis then addressed the crowd.
 
After his press conference in the McCann Center Café, Giorgis' retirement celebration was held in the recreational gym in McCann. The program was attended by approximately 500 people and lasted two-and-a-half hours. It was emceed by the 16-year voice of Marist women's basketball, Geoff Brault, and included nearly a dozen speakers and several tribute videos from former players, former staff, and current and former head coach in the MAAC and around the country.


 

463 Wins

Giorgis concluded his Marist career with 463 victories. The last came in a vintage performance at Iona on March 2, 2023.
 
The Gaels, who would win the MAAC championship nine days later, entered the contest with a 16-game winning streak. However, the Red Foxes took control from the outset, scoring the game's first eight points. Although Iona tied the game with 6:02 remaining, Marist pitched a shutout the rest of the way, and earned a 70-60 victory.
 

Final Numbers

• 463 wins
• 11 MAAC championships & NCAA Tournament appearances
• 5 NCAA Tournament wins (including the first Sweet Sixteen trip in MAAC history)
• 301 MAAC wins
• 13 MAAC regular season championships
• 13 total postseason appearances

 

MAAC Award Winners

• MAAC Players of the Year: Fifi Camara (2006), Rachele Fitz (2008, 2009, 2010), Erica Allenspach (2011), Corielle Yarde (2012), Tori Jarosz (2016)
• MAAC Rookies of the Year: Rachele Fitz (2007), Erica Allenspach (2008), Rebekah Hand (2017), Caitlin Weimar (2021)
• MAAC Defensive Players of the Year: Alisa Kresge (2005, 2006, 2007), Leanne Ockenden (2013, 2014), Maura Fitzpatrick (2018)
• MAAC Sixth Players of the Year: Kristin Keller (2004), Lynzee Johnson (2008), Kristina Danella (2013)
• MAAC Tournament MVPs: Stephanie Del Preore (2004), Meg Dahlman (2006), Rachele Fitz (2007, 2010), Sarah Smrdel (2008), Julianne Viani (2009), Erica Allenspach (2011), Corielle Yarde (2012), Elizabeth Beynnon (2013), Sydney Coffey (2014), Willow Duffell (2021)

 

Coaching Tree

Former Marist players and coaches who are now collegiate head coaches include:

• Erin Doughty – Marist
• Megan Gebbia – Wake Forest
• Jada Pierce – Niagara
• Maureen Magarity – Holy Cross
• Alisa Kresge – Vermont
• Keila Whittington – Saint Francis University
• Stephanie Del Preore – East Stroudsburg
• Elyse Schlump – Concordia

 

Thank You

Thank you for following along throughout this series and for your support of Marist women's basketball!
 
Erin Doughty, the torch is yours!