WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Lycoming College head men's basketball coach Guy Rancourt received the ninth annual Robert Darrow Curry Coach of the Year award, announced Saturday, June 3, by associate director of athletics Joe Guistina at Lycoming's 32nd annual Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
 
Predicted to finish first in the MAC Commonwealth, the Warriors did just that in 2016-17, repeating as conference champions for the first time in program history. Rancourt's Warriors (24-5 overall) finished off a remarkable season in which it won a school-record 24 games, three more than the previous mark set in 1995-96, 2003-04 and 2009-10, as it repeated as MAC Commonwealth champions, becoming the first team in school history to repeat as conference champions.
 
The Warriors led the conference in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and turnovers forced. The team finished first in the MAC Commonwealth with a 13-3 record and won the MAC Commonwealth Tournament with two double-digit romps in Lamade Gym.
 
The team's 2,373 points surpassed the school record of 2,330 set in 1995-96, its 861 field goals also breaking the mark of 839 set in 1996. Yet only three players averaged in double figures while the team scored more than 80 per game, a testament to the team's unselfishness and desire.
 
Lycoming finished the regular season ranked 15th in the nation, the highest ranking in program history, and the Warriors also won their first NCAA Tournament game in 13 years, an 86-70 triumph over Cabrini, before finally falling in the NCAA Tournament's second round.
 
Rancourt has taken the Warriors to the NCAA Tournament three times in nine years, won two MAC Commonwealth titles, appeared in five MAC Commonwealth title games and he has earned two MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year honors and one D3Hoops.com Middle Atlantic Region Coach of the Year award. Along the way, he has coached 15 players to All-MAC Commonwealth honors, one to all-region accolades and two to the league's Rookie of the Year award.
 
The award, given annually to a member of the Lycoming coaching staff, was established in memory of Robert (Robby) D. Curry '05, who was the son of Robert '69 and Susan Curry. Robb was Lycoming's football recruiting coordinator and associate athletic director for 36 years, and Susan was an educator in the Williamsport area for more than 33 years. Robby was also the brother of Jessica Curry '01.
 
Robby earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Lycoming and was a brother of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Lycoming football was a way of life for him. As a youngster, Robby was a student manager/water boy for the Warriors. In high school, he served on the "chain crew" at home games. There was never a question in his mind about attending Lycoming and playing football for the Warriors. Robby achieved that goal as a freshman. During his final three years at Lycoming, Robby was the program's head videographer at all games.
 
The fund was created as a monetary award to be given annually. All head coaches, full-time and part-time, are eligible for consideration for this award. Based on performance during the academic year, criteria include a winning record, both overall and in the conference, and whether the coach achieved the recruiting and roster goals for the year.
 
If you would like to support the Robb Curry Jr. Coach of the Year fund, please contact Lycoming's development office at (570) 321-4036.
 
All-Time Robb Curry Jr. Coach of the Year winners
2008-09 – Mike Clark, Football
2009-10 – Guy Rancourt, Men's Basketball
2010-11 – Roger Crebs, Wrestling
2011-12 – Mike Clark, Football
2012-13 – Jerry Hammaker, Swimming
2013-14 – Nate Gibboney, Men's Soccer
2014-15 – Roger Crebs, Wrestling
2015-16 – Nate Gibboney, Men's Soccer
2016-17 – Guy Rancourt, Men's Basketball