SAN DIEGO - San Diego's men's and women's 2018-19 basketball season openers are just around the corner, but recently in mid-October the USD athletic department took the time to turn back the page and recognize each program's longest tenured head coaches.
Brad Holland, the men's head coach for 13 seasons, was honored at USD's annual Sixth Man Night. Two nights later, at the women's team's annual alumni event, Kathy Marpe was celebrated.
Marpe compiled 294 victories in her 25-year career, which began in the 1980-81 season and stretched to 2004-05.
"It meant a great deal," said Marpe, who lives in Sun City, Arizona. "Especially since I'm not from the area anymore. After you've been away, you think nobody thinks about you. But obviously they have."
Marpe guided the Toreros to two West Coast Conference Tournament titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances.
But she's far more respected for the lifelong impact she had on the women she coached.
"Her strong character is what was important," said
Cindy Fisher, who's preparing to begin her 14th season as San Diego's head coach. "She recruited character athletes who excelled academically. She had a high, high emphasis on academics, plus emphasized the players being involved in the community.
"She also put together a real good basketball program. I have so much respect for Kathy. When I was a young assistant coach, she took the time to talk to me. I'll always remember the mentor and role model she was for me."
It was fitting that Holland was honored at Sixth Man Night because he started the fundraising program, which began in 2001. Holland's idea 17 years ago was that Sixth Man Night would help increase the basketball budget for recruiting, equipment and other areas that benefit the players.
Seventeen years after his idea took fruition, Holland was the man on center stage. In his 13 seasons as USD's head coach, from 1994-95 through 2006-07, Holland compiled a 200-176 record, highlighted by an appearance in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
Holland was joined at the event by his wife of 40 years, Leslie, twin daughters Kristin and Lisa, both USD graduates, his son, Kyle, and his grandson.
"It was an incredibly nice evening," said Holland. "I can't tell you how much I appreciated it."
Holland is CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, plus a TV college basketball announcer.
Holland recruited USD head coach
Sam Scholl, hired him as a graduate assistant, then promoted him to full-time assistant. Scholl coached under Holland for seven seasons.
"The fact that he is the university's all-time winningest coach and still has relationships with his players demonstrates the effect he has had on our campus," Scholl said of Holland. "For me, personally, outside of my father, he has been one of my greatest mentors."
