The Spire

Molly Coghan ‘27

Staff Writer

After the Holy Cross women’s basketball team resoundingly defeated UT Martin in the NCAA Tournament this past spring, they prepared to take on the greatest test in the sport: Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Millions of basketball fans and Holy Cross alumni watched as the Crusaders took on Iowa in March Madness’ round of 64. 

Holy Cross trailed by just two points at the conclusion of the first quarter, but Clark’s 27 points were too much to muster and the Crusaders lost, 91-65. This loss ended Holy Cross’ season, as well as Janelle Allen, Cara McCormack, Bronagh Power-Cassidy, and Callie Wright’s Holy Cross careers. 

Upon these key contributors’ departures, Holy Cross fans grew nervous with anticipation for the upcoming college basketball season. But at least they still had Coach Magarity. Until they didn’t. 

On August 20, Maureen Magarity stepped down as the Holy Cross women’s basketball head coach. This announcement, which came just days before the start of fall individual workouts and practices, stunned Crusader fans. 

Magarity came to Mount St. James during the 2020 COVID-19 season. During her four seasons as the Holy Cross head coach, Magarity maintained an overall 72-41 (.637) record, leading the Crusaders to back-to-back Patriot League Tournament Championships and NCAA Tournaments. The Crusaders’ win over UT Martin marked the program’s first win in the NCAA Tournament in over 30 years. Magarity’s coaching career boasted over 200 wins, and she led multiple Holy Cross players to All-Patriot League Honors. 

Candice Green, who served as a Holy Cross assistant coach last season, will serve as an interim head coach this season in place of Magarity. 

“It was quite a shock to have Coach Magarity depart so close to the start of the preseason,” Coach Green said. “For us, it hit hard on the emotional side of things. Coach [Magarity] was super knowledgeable about the game but what she did went much deeper than basketball. To be honest, everyone is sad about not being able to see and talk to her every day or be with her children.” 

Magarity announced that she would leave her role as head coach to focus on her family and spend more time with her daughters, Charlotte and Caroline. Magarity is engaged to University of Vermont men’s basketball coach John Becker, and plans on moving to Vermont with her family. Holy Cross wishes her well, though it is certainly a bittersweet goodbye. 

Still, Holy Cross marches on, now led by Coach Green. No stranger to the Patriot League, Green played college basketball for Colgate University, before serving as a Colgate assistant coach and director of operations after she graduated. 

Green also coached at Fordham University for four years, including a season in which she similarly served as an interim head coach in the 2022-23 season. That year, Green guided the Rams to a 19-13 record and an appearance in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). She joined the Crusader coaching staff for the 2023-24 season and worked with the guards, including standout Patriot League All-Tournament Team members Bronagh Power-Cassidy and Cara McCormack.

Green commented on her excitement for her new role. 

“I couldn’t be more blessed to be a head coach in a league [Patriot League] where I’ve spent the majority of my playing career,” Coach Green said. “It is a great league, and I’m honored to be given this opportunity.” 

Green accepts that this year’s team will look a little different than it did last year. 

“We lost four impact players [Power-Cassidy, McCormack, Allen, and Wright], so each student-athlete on this team is going to have to take on a different role this year,” Green said. “The staff and I are focused on building everyone’s confidence which means working hard on repetitions and building trust.” 

Still, don’t get confused. Despite the changes to the roster, the goal for the Crusaders remains the same. 

“I don’t think of it [this season] as a rebuild, we have all the intentions of pursuing another Patriot League championship. Our team has first hand experience of how difficult that is,” Green said. “This league is tough and it’s only getting better. Defense is and will always be our main priority. Offensively we’re looking to play faster and a little more off the dribble, however, the core of what we’re doing is not changing.”