KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Oct. 15, 2024) – The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy women's basketball program's winningest and longest-tenured head coach Matt Dempsey has announced that he will be retiring from his post at the Academy this December. Dempsey spent 16 seasons on the sidelines at Kings Point, steering the Mariners to three Skyline Conference Championships and appearances in the NCAA National Tournament. In total, Dempsey retires with 463 career wins in nearly 40 years of coaching both men's and women's basketball at the collegiate level.
 
"I have enjoyed coaching collegiate basketball for the past 39 years and more importantly watching the hundreds of players that I've coached have successful careers and beautiful families after they have graduated," reflected Dempsey. "To me coaching has always been about the student-athletes, and sometimes coaches are only consumed about wins and losses. I have been blessed to work with some of the most hard-working players the past 16 years here at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, and the sacrifices they make during their time here and after graduation while serving our country does not go unnoticed."
 
Dempsey amassed a record of 209-176 at USMMA, which was good for a .543 winning percentage, and he led the Mariners to a total of eight winning seasons, including each of the last seven campaigns. He was recognized by his fellow Skyline Conference head coaches as the Skyline Coach of the Year in both 2018-19 and 2022-23, and also went on to earn Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Division III Coach of the Year honors after the 2018-19 season as well.
 
Merchant Marine has qualified for the Skyline Conference Tournament every season since re-joining the league in 2016-17. The Mariners also went on to play in the Skyline Championship Game a total of five times and won back-to-back conference titles in 2019 and 2020, before adding another championship trophy to the shelf in 2023.
 
"Matt has done a tremendous job building our women's basketball program into a consistent contender year after year," said Athletic Director Kristofer Schnatz. "He's been a terrific leader and a positive example for our young coaches and midshipmen-athletes. On behalf of the Physical Education & Athletics Department and our Academy, I want to thank Matt for his commitment and dedication to the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Congratulations on a fantastic career and on your retirement!"
 
Under Dempsey's tutelage, the Mariners produced the program's first All-American in Lauren Hunter '23 after the 2022-23 season, while Hunter along with Kaleigh D'Arcy '20 and current senior Grace Jackson (Parma, Idaho) earned a total of eight All-Region honors among the three of them.
 
Dempsey arrived to Kings Point in 2008, a year after Merchant Marine had moved into the newly-created Landmark Conference. He mentored a total of four All-Landmark Conference standouts as well as two Landmark Defensive Players of the Year in Brooke Picillo '11 and Roshenda Josephs '13.
 
Since 2016-17, Dempsey has coached 12 All-Skyline Conference performers, while also seeing five different players earn major awards as Skyline Player, Skyline Defensive Player or Skyline Rookie of the Year – Hunter, D'Arcy, Jackson, Taylor Hightower '20 and current sophomore Emily Grasseler (Millbrook, N.Y.).
 
"Congratulations to Matt on his retirement!" exclaimed Alexa Shields, USMMA's Associate Head Coach and Dempsey's assistant since they arrived together in 2008. "He has been the steady leader for our team and a consummate professional throughout his time at USMMA. I am thankful I was able to learn under his tutelage and would not be where I am today without his selflessness and direction for so many years. While the program is in a strong position to continue our momentum, this season will undoubtedly not be the same without Matt on the sidelines. I will miss our daily conversations about life and family, but I am excited to hear about the next chapter of travel adventures for him. Thank you, Matt, for all you have done for the game of basketball and leading our players throughout the years, and for putting up with my crazy ideas along our journey. You will be missed!"
 
More information regarding the Mariners' upcoming 2024-25 season will be announced in the coming days.
 
Receive USMMA Women's Basketball News Right To Your E-Mail!
If you would like to receive the latest news, including all press releases, for the USMMA women's basketball team (or any other team at the academy), sent directly to your e-mail, fill out this form.
 
Follow USMMA Athletics On Social Media!
Be sure to follow USMMA Athletics on social media to get up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite teams! Start following today on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!