Ferne Labati Relieved of Coaching Duties

March 24, 2005

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The University of Miami Athletic Department announced today that Ferne Labati has been released from the position of head women’s basketball coach.

“Decisions like these are always extremely difficult,” said Athletic Director Paul Dee of the university’s decision to release Labati. “But despite the difficulty in these circumstances, and after careful deliberation, we have decided that it is in the best interest of the women’s basketball program to make a change in our coaching staff. We would like to thank coach Labati for her hard work and dedication over the past 17 seasons.”

Labati leaves as UM’s all-time career leader in wins with a career mark of 303-195 behind 12 winning seasons at the helm of the women’s basketball team.

This season, the Hurricanes posted an overall record of 13-16 with a 4-10 mark in ACC play to finish ninth in the league standings.

During her 17-year tenure at Miami, Labati guided the Hurricanes to six NCAA Tournament appearances and three WNIT births as well as back-to-back BIG EAST Regular Season Championships in 1991-92 and 1992-93.

Labati came to Miami in 1988 by way of Farleigh Dickinson where she served as head coach from 1984-1988. Prior to coaching at Farleigh Dickinson, Labati spent five seasons as the head women’s basketball coach at Trenton State.

A national search for the next women’s basketball coach will begin immediately.