St. John Fisher College named Melissa (Graham) Kuberka as its new head women's basketball coach, replacing Marianne O'Connor Ermi who had a successful three-decade career at the College as a long-time assistant and head coach.
"I'm excited by this rare opportunity to be at Fisher and to be part of a basketball program with such a special tradition," stated Kuberka in the College's release. "I'm thankful to [College Athletic Director] Bob Ward for giving me this chance and am ready to begin preparing for this upcoming season."
Kuberka is just the third head coach in the program's 43-year history. Phil Kahler coached the Cardinals for 34 years, garnering a 757-171 record that places him third all-time in NCAA Division III women's basketball. Kahler retired in 2008 and was replaced by his former player and long-time assistant Marianne O'Connor Ermi who spent 23 seasons on Kahler's staff. Ermi went 144-98 in nine seasons with the Cardinals including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015 and 2016.
"Coach Kuberka is an outstanding young coach," said Ward in the release. "Her former coaches and employers speak glowingly of her work ethic, intelligence, being a consummate team first person, leadership qualities and being a highly ethical person. I see Melissa's future as a coach and employee of the College being extremely bright. I am very excited to work with her."
Kuberka spent the last two seasons at Hilbert College where she went 22-29 with the Hawks. Kuberka's 22 wins equaled the program's total for the 10 seasons prior to her arrival and she was the first Hilbert women's basketball coach to post consecutive seasons with double-digit victories. Kuberka was also Hilbert's head lacrosse coach and was named the Conference Coach of the Year in that sport.
Kuberka had a successful four-year playing career at SUNY Geneseo where she was named SUNYAC player of the year as a senior in 2013. She graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and then added a Master's degree in Clinical Pscyhology from the University of Buffalo.
St. John Fisher finished 12-14, 9-7 in the Empire 8 last season.