Washington, D.C. – University of the
District of Columbia Interim President, Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr. and
Director of Athletics, Patricia Thomas, announced today that
Michael Riley has been hired to lead the University of the District
of Columbia Men's Basketball program. There is a press conference
scheduled for today, June 11th at 4:00 PM in the UDC Gym in the
Sports Complex.
"Mike Riley is an outstanding choice to lead our Men's Basketball
program," said Patricia Thomas. "He has exceptional credentials and
experience as a coach and administrator. Most importantly, though,
he is a person of extremely high character and values. He is a
tremendous leader of men. I have no doubt that he will take the
University of the District of Columbia Men's Basketball program to
new heights, and our student-athletes will benefit tremendously on
the court, in the classroom, and in life by having him at the
helm."
Riley has a distinguished coaching resume which includes more than
20 years as an assistant coach at Georgetown University. He was
also an assistant coach on the 1988 Olympic basketball team that
earned the bronze medal. Riley came to the University of the
District of Columbia in 2009 and has served as the Associate
Director of Athletics for Internal Operations during that time.
"I am ecstatic to be able to take over as the new Head Men's
Basketball Coach at the University of the District of Columbia,"
said Riley. "The Firebirds have a long and rich tradition. As
the University continues to move in a positive direction, I look
forward to leading this program as one piece of the successful
future of the University. We will recruit young men that will work
hard and intelligently in the classroom and on the basketball
court. We will be positive citizens on campus and in the
community. We will represent the Firebird family well in all
that we do. It is an honor and a privilege to be selected as the
Men's Basketball Coach at the University of the District of
Columbia."
Riley is a Washington, DC native, having graduated from Cardozo
High School, where he was a standout guard on the men's basketball
team. Riley earned team Defensive Player of the Year honors while
at Cardozo and was also selected Most Valuable Player during his
senior year. Riley was inducted into the Cardozo High School
Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011.
After attending Cardozo High School, Riley served in the U.S. Navy
on the USS Holland stationed in the Mediterranean.
Riley went on to graduate from Georgetown University with a
Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Sociology. While at Georgetown, Riley
was a member of the Hoyas Men's Basketball Team where he was named
the Defensive Player of the Year.
Riley went on to serve as an assistant basketball coach at
Georgetown University from 1983 to 2004. While at Georgetown,
Riley coached the Hoyas to six Big East Conference Championships,
four Big East Tournament Championships, two Final Fours, and the
1984 National Championship. He also served as the academic
coordinator during his tenure at Georgetown.
In addition to his accomplishments at Cardozo and Georgetown, Riley
also served as Athletic Director at St. Augustine Catholic
School. From 1980 to 1982, he was an Assistant Headmaster,
Economics teacher, and junior varsity basketball coach at Gonzaga
College High School.
Provided by the District of Columbia Sports Information Department.
