POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – Former Marist head women's basketball coach Brian Giorgis was inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Hall of Fame on Wednesday night. The ceremony took place at the Hyatt Long Island East End in Riverhead.
The inductees were presented with rings and a crystal statue.
"The NYSPHSAA did a really nice job of making it a special evening," Giorgis said. "The videos were outstanding. You're really humbled by the people in it. The inductees in the Class of 2024, especially with the accomplishments the players had, were incredible. They give you mementos to make it something you'll never forget."
Giorgis was honored on the basis of his work at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. In 19 years as girls basketball coach, he compiled a record of 451-44 with a record nine NYSPHSAA state championships and 17 Final Four appearances while winning sectional championships in every season. He also led Lourdes' softball team to its only state championship in 1990. Giorgis was a biology and health teach art Lourdes for 25 years.
On May 15, 2002, Giorgis was hired as head women's basketball coach at Marist. In a historic 21-year run, he won a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference-record 11 championships, which included nine straight from 2006-14. He won five NCAA Tournament games, and he was the first coach in MAAC basketball history to guide a team to the Sweet Sixteen in 2007. His career record at Marist was 463-203.
Giorgis is believed to be the first coach to win over 400 basketball games at both the high school and Division I levels.
This past season, Giorgis served on the selection committee for the inaugural Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). It was the first year of a two-year term, and he will be eligible for reappointment following the 2024-25 season.
Giorgis was previously inducted into the Our Lady of Lourdes Athletics Hall of Fame and New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
- Brian Giorgis
- Roberta "Robbie" Greene – Coach & administrator in the Washingtonville Central School District & NYSPHSAA.
- Mike Hart – Football player at Onondaga High School, went on to play running back at the University of Michigan, played three seasons in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts.
- Greg Paulus – Regarded as the quarterback and point guard in the state at Christian Brothers Academy in Syracuse. Played basketball for four years at Duke followed by one year of football at Syracuse. Is currently Niagara's head men's basketball coach.
- Caryn Schoff-Kovatch – All-time girls basketball leading scorer (3,548) in state history at St. Johnsville High School. Went on to play four years at Syracuse, where she was an Academic All-American.
- Robert Stulmaker – Athletic administrator at Saratoga Springs High School for 12 years and NYSPHSAA Assistant Director for eight years. Previously coached varsity wrestling, varsity football, and freshman baseball.
