BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next coach in the Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation's Get to Know Coach series is Head Women's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics Mary Beth Spirk, who is in her 34th year with the Greyhounds as head coach and fourth leading the department. Spirk has a career coaching mark of 610-296 while leading the Hounds to nine NCAA Division III Tournament appearances and three conference titles. She has also served as the Head Softball Coach during her tenure and started at Moravian as an assistant coach with the women's basketball team. Spirk also spent eight years as a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Board of Directors.
Mary Beth Spirk
College: Dickinson College '81
What is your favorite part of your sport? We start out as individuals and end the season as a team. What happens in between is magic...it is a privilege to be a part of that magic every year.
How did your experience as a student-athlete help shape you as a coach? I understood early on in my life that I had to work hard to be successful. As a 10-year-old competing in a track meet and had never run on a track before that day, to everyday life at home competing with five brothers, it became obvious to me that hard work meant you had a chance to be successful. The more I competed and played, the more I respected talent, but realized that nothing beat hard work and effort. I have tried to carry over that mindset as a coach.
What do you love most about coaching at Moravian College? The opportunity to coach tremendous student athletes who know that they are a student first here, yet want to win in front of our friends, families and college community.
What has kept you at Moravian for 30 or more years? The student athletes that I have had the pleasure to coach are the reasons I have stayed. And the staff and coaches I have worked with are second to none.
What is your favorite place on campus and why? Has to be Johnston Hall, 4th seat on the home side bench. (though pacing the sideline is not a bad spot either!)
What is your most memorable moment at Moravian? So many great memories, hard to pick one...I mean 30+ years equals a ton of memories. I suppose one of the best was beating Capital to punch a ticket to the Final Four on our home court, and then hosting the Final Four.
Do you have any pre-event/game rituals or superstitions? Never decide on my outfit for a game till game day!
Sum up your coaching philosophy in one sentence? Coach to your players' strengths.
What do you look for in a recruit? Highly motivated student, hard-working athlete with multiple skills on the court and an even better person on and off the court.
What is the best piece of advice you've been given? An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost. Take advantage of opportunities as they are presented to you. They may never come back again.
Who are your role models/most influential people? No question my parents have been my biggest role models in my life.
Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? John F. Kennedy, Pat Summit, Marsha Spirk
What have you done more of since March that you wouldn't have if sports had not been postponed? Spent a lot of quality time with my parents and painted almost every room in my house!
If you weren't coaching, what would you be doing? Hopefully a lawyer
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. I played rugby for over 20+ years and had an opportunity to play internationally.
Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Blue (and grey!)
Favorite Food – Seafood, any kind
Favorite Restaurant – Steel Club Beam Yard
Favorite Movie – Fried Green Tomatoes
Favorite TV Show – Seinfeld
Favorite Musical Artist – Jimmy Buffet
Favorite Athlete – Candice Parker
Favorite Pro Team – Philadelphia Phillies
Hobbies – Golf and gardening
Most Prized Possession – During this pandemic, has to be my computer and iPad
Ideal Travel Destination – Paris
Your Spirit Animal – no idea
Superpower You Would Like to Have – Reading people's minds