There were plenty of tears of both sadness and joy as 69 year old Kevin Borseth announced his retirement from coaching college basketball. It’s been quite a ride for the Bessemer, Michigan native who compiled an incredible record of 821-316 leading young women at Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan and most notably at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay where he built one of the most impressive mid-major programs in the country during two stints with the Phoenix covering 21 years.
Chancellor Michael Alexander opened the emotional press conference on the Kress Center floor Wednesday morning by announcing the retirement with Athletic Director Josh Moon calling Borseth the most influential person arguably in the history of the University.
Kevin Borseth dabs tears with Josh Moon looking on as the retirement is announced.
In front of family, several fans who came to watch and members of the media, Borseth didn’t hide the emotion of the moment and talked about what a wonderful ride it’s been.
The coaching resume ranks among the best in the history of women’s college basketball. After turning Michigan Tech into a top flight Division II program, Borseth arrived in Green Bay in 1998, succeeding the founder of the program Carol Hammerle. After 10 years of unmatched success, Borseth was lured to the challenge of the Big Ten taking the Michigan job where he spent the next five seasons. He returned to Green Bay and continued to win, developing teams built almost entirely on local and Wisconsin talent. His record at Green Bay was 509-177, a .777 winning percentage. In Horizon League competition, the Phoenix were even more dominant winning 87% percent of their games going a remarkable 308-46. Over a total of 21 seasons, his Green Bay teams won 20 regular season championships, 14 conference tournament titles and made 13 trips to the NCAA tournament including this past season, with another 9 WNIT bids.
Borseth will officially step down at the end of June when he will reach his 70th birthday. That was a big factor in his decision as was the fact a nearing retirement was making it difficult to recruit and he felt that was shortchanging the program’s ability to sustain it’s level of success.
Moon said the University will hire a search firm and along with a school search committee and with Borseth’s involvement, a successor will be found but he admitted the shoes will be awfully difficult to fill.
Alexander said the street leading to the parking lots around the Kress Center will be re-named Kevin Borseth Way to honor the legendary coach.
The Kress Center scoreboard said it all.
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