Columbia University has hired Megan Griffith ’07CC as head women’s basketball coach, Peter Pilling, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education, announced today.
Griffith spent six seasons on the women’s basketball coaching staff at Princeton University, including the last four as an assistant coach and the team’s recruiting coordinator. She also served as the Tigers’ director of basketball operations from 2010-12. The last two years, Griffith helped Princeton make back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament. During that span, the Tigers posted a 54-7 overall record, including an undefeated 30-0 regular season in 2014-15, and a 26-2 mark in Ivy League play.
“We are excited to welcome Megan back to Columbia as our next head women’s basketball coach,” said Pilling. “Megan’s experience playing, coaching and recruiting in the Ivy League will help us take the program to new heights.”
“We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to Sheila Roux and her staff for all of their hard work this past season,” Pilling stated.
“I am extremely blessed and humbled to be named the next Columbia women’s basketball coach,” Griffith stated. “I would be remiss if I did not recognize the Princeton Athletics family and more specifically my team (Princeton head coach) Courtney Banghart, Milena Flores, Tyler Cordell and Chessie Jackson. I will be forever grateful for the last six years.”
“I am honored to return to my alma mater to teach and learn from these special student athletes,” continued Griffith. It is an exciting time for Columbia women’s basketball. I cannot wait to get started on our team’s journey as we grow together and take the program to a higher level. A special thank you to Peter Pilling, Senior Associate Athletics Director, Joe Quinlan, and their team for trusting me with this opportunity.”
In Griffith’s time with Princeton, the Tigers eclipsed 20 victories and reached the postseason each year, while securing five Ivy League titles. She has mentored 13 All-Ivy League players, including Blake Dietrick, who was the 2015 Ivy League Player of the Year and a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American, and 2013 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, Lauren Polansky.
Griffith captained the Lions for three seasons and was recognized with All-Ivy League honors in both 2006 and 2007. One of 10 Lions to score more than 1,000 points during her career, Griffith averaged 10.1 points per game over four seasons. During her junior year, Griffith ranked 22nd in the nation in assists, averaging 5.5 per game, while chipping in 15.2 points per game. She was twice named Academic All-Ivy League and was a member of the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Team two straight years. She graduated from Columbia with a degree in economics in 2007.
Following graduation, Griffith played three years of professional basketball in Europe. She played for FoA Nice Basketball in Forssa, Finland, during the 2007-08 season and was named team MVP. In 2008-09, Griffith led Espoo Basket to the Finnish National Championship and the Finnish Cup Championship titles. During the year she was also a youth basketball coach for Honka Basketball Club.
In addition, she was also a member of the Celeritas-Donar Basketball team in Groningen, Netherlands and was named a U20 Dames 1 assistant coach and U18 Northern Selection Team assistant coach, while working as a youth coach and clinic director for Celeritas-Donar.
In 2008, Griffith founded Back to Basics Basketball in her hometown of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, an organization to teach basketball skills, while providing training and mentoring.
http://www.gocolumbialions.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=9600&ATCLID=210841306
Tagged with: DI Head Coach Ivy
