Keystone College will honor J. Michael Strong on Sunday, September 22, at the Third Annual Dr. Michael Mould Award Gala at the Theatre in Brooks on campus in La Plume. Named in honor of the former Keystone College coach, professor, and athletic director, the Dr. Michael Mould Award honors a person who has made special contributions to athletics and to Keystone College as a whole.
“Keystone alumnus Mike Strong is being recognized this year for his success as a student-athlete as a member of the men’s basketball and soccer teams, for his tenure at the start of his coaching career as head coach for the Keystone men’s basketball and soccer teams, for his overwhelming success at The University of Scranton with the men’s and, most especially, women’s basketball programs, and for his many contributions to Keystone and Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Tim Pryle, Keystone Vice President of Enrollment, Institutional Advancement, and Marketing.
Strong played two years for the varsity basketball and soccer teams, serving as a team captain for the basketball team in his second season. Following graduation, he continued his academic and athletic careers at Concord (WV) College before continuing to West Chester University for his master’s degree. Strong returned to Keystone to begin his coaching career, serving as the head coach of the soccer and basketball teams from 1970-72.
In 1973 Strong joined the coaching ranks at The University of Scranton, serving as an assistant men’s basketball coach under Bob Bessoir, a position he held when the Royals captured the 1976 NCAA Division III national championship. In 1979 he took the reins of the Scranton women’s basketball program and began his mark on history. In his first year he led his team to a mark of 26-7 and a Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) championship and a semi-final berth in the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) the precursor for the NCAA tournament. Five years later he would lead Scranton to a record of 31-1 and its first ever NCAA title in women’s basketball.
Strong retired in 2014 after 34 seasons as head coach of Scranton’s women’s basketball -team as the all-time leader in career victories in NCAA Division III women’s basketball history. He compiled a record of 815-182 (.817) and is the only women’s coach in NCAA Division III history and only the second in all of NCAA Division III to win 800 games.
In addition to the NCAA Division III championship in 1985, Strong had seven other teams reach the Final Four (1987, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2005, 2006). Overall, he led Scranton to 26 NCAA tournament appearances, to 16 of the Lady Royals’ 19 Middle Atlantic/Freedom Conference titles, and three Landmark Conference championships (2008, 2009, 2014). Strong never had a losing season, and the fewest victories he ever posted in a year were 16.
Keystone has previously recognized Strong in the past with its 1987 Keystonian of the Year award and induction into the College’s Hall of Fame in 2009. The Mould Award offers the opportunity for the College, and Dr. Michael Mould, to recognize Strong with an award named after his Keystone coach and mentor. Former WNEP Sports Director Jim Coles will again serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.
The proceeds from the Gala support Keystone Athletics and the student-athlete experience. Details, including ticket, sponsorship, and contribution information, are available at sb2.rrmbaojie.com/gala. For more information, please contact Tim Pryle at 570-945-8169.
