Manchester CC Names Mary Roickle Women’s Basketball Coach

Mary Roickle is back in the game.

Manchester Community College has selected the former University of Detroit and Niagara University coach to replace Robert Turner Jr. as head of the women’s basketball team.

Roickle is a proven winner both on and off the court, compiling a 127-33 record over seven seasons before turning her full attention to the corporate world where she rose to a senior management position in the pharmaceutical industry.

Roickle, who holds a BS in nursing from Niagara University and an MBA from Northeastern University’s Executive Program, was the head coach and women’s athletic director at Niagara where she led the Purple Eagles to an 84-19 record and appearance in the NCAA Division II Final over four seasons (1976-80) and a 100% graduation rate. She moved on to the University of Detroit where she built a nationally ranked, Division I program from 1983- 86 before taking on a fulltime management position with Serono, Inc. Roickle is a member of the University of Niagara Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Coaching has been my first love,” Roickle said. It entails challenging each athlete to be the best they can be, to come together as a team to attain success and to have fun. Off the court, our commitment is to help each student realize her potential and prepare for tomorrow with a degree in life lessons and a MCC diploma.”

Turner, who compiled a 99-38 record over six seasons, including a Region 21 championship and trip to the NJCAA National Championship tournament in 2010. He remains at the college as a full-time counselor and has helped make Roickle’s transition a smooth one.

“I am blessed to have the support of a talented Athletic Department staff and Coach Turner both on and off the court,” said Roickle. “Robert has established the winning tradition here at MCC. I have some ‘big shoes’ to fill to continue our success. I am most appreciative for his assistance as we brought new student-athletes to MCC.”

Roickle, who grew up in the Syracuse area, is a registered nurse in New York and Massachusetts and a member of the American Society of Training and Development and Healthcare Businesswomen’s Association.

“She brings solid recruiting experience and has stepped in and hit the floor running,” Manchester CC athletic director Cynthia Washburne said. “She understands the whole business of recruiting, so it’s exciting to have someone with experience to come in and take the program on the same path that it has been.”

Mary resides in Columbia CT with her spouse and daughter.