Bismarck, ND – One of the most successful coaches in the history of University of Mary athletics, Fred Fridley resigned his position today after nine seasons directing the women's basketball program. Fridley has accepted a position with Sanford Health as the Director of Public Affairs for Bismarck, ND, and central and western North Dakota.
 
“Fred has created a dynamic women's basketball program at the University of Mary and we hate to see him leave,” said Marauders Athletic Director Roger Thomas. “He had great success at the NAIA level and was able to make the transition to NCAA, building a team that reached the national tournament last spring. Fred leaves our program in great position for the future and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
 
The Marauders are coming off their first NCAA tournament appearance last spring, posting a 19-11 record and finishing third in the Northern Sun.
 
Rick Neumann will serve as the acting head coach. The Marauders women's basketball assistant coach the past nine seasons, Neumann joined the program the same time as Fridley.
 
“Leaving is never easy, especially when you have created the bonds I've been able to establish over the years at U-Mary,” said Fridley. “I greatly appreciate the community support for the Marauders women's basketball program. However, this tremendous opportunity to be the Director of Public Affairs for Sanford Heath in central and western North Dakota was one I couldn't pass up.
 
“I have to thank former University of Mary President Sr. Thomas Welder, former Athletic Director Al Bortke and Vice President for Public Affairs Neal Kalberer for believing in me at the age of 29 and giving me the opportunity to coach the women's team that was full of success and tradition. I wish to thank President Fr. James Shea and Athletic Director Roger Thomas for their continued support for the basketball program and me. I also need to thank my assistant coach Rick Neumann and the past graduate assistants for their hard work, dedication and loyalty and express my gratitude to my former and current players that believed in the University both academically and athletically.
 
“Finally I need to give a special thank you to my wife Lisa and daughters Ella and Eden. Being the wife of a college coach can be demanding physically, mentally and emotionally. My having played and coached college basketball for 18 years and the hours on the road for games and recruiting along with time practicing doesn't leave much family time. I'm looking forward to be around more for the wife and kids in the years to come.”
 
Fridley will join Sanford Health's Public Affairs team as the public affairs director for the new Bismarck region of Sanford Health. In his role, Fridley will work closely with community members and leaders in Bismarck-Mandan, as well as throughout central and western North Dakota. Sanford Public Affairs, with representatives in Sioux Falls, Fargo and Bemidji, works to spread the message of Sanford Health within the communities the health system serves and collaborates with community partners in the areas of wellness, education and economic development.
 
"Fred is from western North Dakota, and he's known in the region as a respected teacher and successful coach," said Craig Lambrecht, MD, president/CEO of the Bismarck region of Sanford Health. "He's spent the past nine years developing relationships across the state and region serving as the face of the U-Mary women's basketball program. Fred is a great addition and we feel fortunate to have people who are well known and trusted to represent us as an ambassador of Sanford Health."
 
In Fridley's nine seasons at U-Mary, the Marauders compiled a mark of 170-91, advanced to three national tournaments and captured two conference titles. Only once did the Marauders post a losing record.
 
During his tenure Fridley coached four All-Americans, 15 all-conference performers, two conference most valuable players and 20 conference players of the week. The Marauders have also had 26 All-NSIC scholar-athletes.
 
In Fridley's first season at U-Mary in 2003-04, the Marauders posted a 32-3 record, winning the DAC-10 championship and advancing to the NAIA semifinals. He was honored as the NDAPSSA Female Coach of the Year. The following season Fridley was named the DAC-10 Coach of the Year after the Marauders captured a second straight conference title.
 
Despite the transition to NCAA play in 2006-07 the Marauders continued to find success. U-Mary qualified for the Northern Sun tournament in 2007-08, the first year eligible for post-season play, and captured third place.
 
The Marauders took a big leap forward last year in reaching the NCAA championships. U-Mary returns four starters and eight of the team's top players.
 
U-Mary basketball practice begins October 15. The regular season opens November 9 against Missouri Southern State.
 
FRED FRIDLEY U-MARY CAREER HEAD COACHING RECORD
Year                        Overall                  Conference
2003-04                32- 3                        17-  1 (1st - DAC 10)
2004-05                29- 4                        17-  1 (1st - DAC 10)
2005-06                21- 8
2006-07                14-13                      10-  8 (6th - NSIC)
2007-08                17-11                      11-  7 (3rd - NSIC)
2008-09                15-12                      10-10 (9th - NSIC)
2009-10                10-17                        6-14 (11^th – NSIC)
2010-11                13-13                      10-12 (8^th – NSIC)
2011-12                19-10                      15-  7 (3^rd – NSIC)
Career Total       170-91                       96-60
 
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