York women's basketball head coach Bill Pangos to retire after 29 years with program

York University Sport & Recreation announced on Wednesday (April 22) that women's basketball head coach Bill Pangos has decided to retire after 29 years at the helm of the program.
 
Pangos has been a fixture on the sidelines for nearly three decades and has also been a lecturer and sport administrator in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science. He came to York in 1986 and took over the program beginning with the 1986-87 season. Among his highlights in his 29 years on the bench were winning the CIAU silver medal in 1997, the program's first ever national podium result, as well as the OUA title in 2007 and back-to-back CIS championship appearances in 2006 and 2007.
 
"We are losing a giant in CIS women's basketball with Bill retiring," said Jennifer Myers, York's director of Sport & Recreation. "His impact over the last 29 years will be felt for generations. His greatest legacy can be seen in the hundreds of players he has touched. His commitment to the development of the complete student-athlete was and still is a model for all CIS programs. I will never be able to thank Bill enough for his passion and commitment to our Lions family. On behalf of the entire Lions nation, I want to wish him the very best on this next chapter in his journey."
 
Pangos began his coaching career with the Humber Hawks men's program in 1982 and led the team to the OCAA final in 1984. He then decided to pursue his master's of coaching at Western University and was an assistant with the Mustangs men's team as well as the head coach of the Western's women's team for one season in 1985 before coming to York.
 
In addition to his on-court coaching, Pangos has been a master course conductor for Canada Basketball in the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) for decades and was instrumental in the certification of hundreds of coaches nationally.
 
"It has been a privilege and an honour to coach at York as long as I have," said Pangos. "I am indebted to the Sport & Recreation department for providing me the job of a lifetime. I would also like to thank my colleagues across the CIS for the many on-court battles, and I will cherish the friendships I have developed in our league as well as in the basketball community. And of course, I'd like to thank my wife, Patty, and my family for all of their support over the years.
 
"My most memorable moments are not the wins and losses, but the opportunity to work with all the student-athletes in practices and games. As I have followed my alumni, it has also been enjoyable to see them pursue their dreams and I feel blessed that I may have had a small part to play in their personal journey. By far the greatest highlight of my career was the pleasure of coaching my daughter, Kayla, for five years and my niece, Jackie, for three.
 
"I leave York with no regrets and I am looking forward to the next chapter. I also wish the women's basketball program success in the future, and I will always remain a York Lion."
 
Pangos will officially retire on Aug. 1 but will remain actively involved in the York community as a part-time instructor in the School of Kinesiology & Health Science.

Source: York Lions