|
| Maryville athletics photo |
Randy Lambert, who has been Maryville's head men's basketball coach for almost four decades, has announced that he will retire from coaching at the end of the 2018-19 season – his 39th at the helm of the program.
The announcement to the campus community was made today in a memorandum from Melanie V. Tucker, vice president and dean of students.
"We will appropriately recognize his retirement in the months to come," Tucker wrote to campus. "However, I want to express here my sincere appreciation for his hard work and incredible commitment to this institution."
Lambert, who played for Maryville under legendary coach Boydson Baird, is known as one of the most successful NCAA Division III coaches in the nation. With 701 career victories, he is currently ranked fourth in the country among active head coaches in career victories. Backed by its consistency in winning and its up-tempo style of play, his program is considered one of the best in the nation. His winning percentage is an impressive .689.
In addition to his success as a coach, Lambert ranks high among administrators who have greatly influenced the course of Maryville athletics, said current athletics director Kandis Schram.
"The Lambert era will be known as one of the most successful NCAA Division III athletics programs in history," she said. "The hundreds of student-athletes who have worn the orange and garnet have benefited from his leadership, passion and commitment."
Tucker also announced that Raul Placeres, who played for the Scots from 2003 until 2005 and has served as Lambert's assistant for the last seven years, will become the college's head coach for men's basketball next spring.
Effective July 1, 2018, he will move to a full-time position and begin assuming many of the responsibilities previously held by Lambert, including recruiting and scheduling.
"[Placeres] has demonstrated the qualifications for the job, as well as an appreciation for and familiarity with the program, our campus and our student-athletes, all of which should make a change in leadership seamless," Tucker wrote in the memo.
Placeres's added responsibilities will allow Lambert to take on the role of part-time athletics campaign coordinator, Tucker explained. Maryville has plans to renovate Cooper Athletic Center and related athletics facilities.
Schram said helping to raise financial support for MC's athletics is nothing new to Lambert.
"Throughout his career, Randy has been instrumental in improving our facilities," she said. "While he was athletics director, substantial renovations to Cooper Athletic Center, Boydson Baird Gymnasium, Honaker Field, Lloyd L. Thornton Stadium and Scotland Yard all took place – all positively impacting the experience of student-athletes."