Women’s Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics to Retire After Nearly 45 Years

Moravian University’s Women’s Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics, Mary Beth Spirk, will retire on May 1 after nearly 45 years of working for the Greyhounds.

Shortly after her graduation from Dickinson College, Spirk arrived at what was then Moravian College in October 1981 as an assistant women’s basketball coach. She went on to become Head Women’s Basketball Coach. During her tenure the team won more than 650 games in 38 seasons. The 1991-92 season was the most successful for the Greyhounds, culminating in hosting the Final Four, an article in Sports Illustrated and a National Runner-Up finish. Spirk also served as a softball coach and associate professor of physical education. 

Spirk has been an advocate for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund’s Play4Kay initiative, with Moravian raising more than $250,000 under her leadership. Off the court, she oversaw the addition of three varsity sports programs and significant upgrades to many of Moravian University’s athletic facilities. Spirk also helped raise more than $1 million through the university’s annual Athletics Giving Challenge. 

In 2017, Spirk assumed the role of Director of Athletics and Recreation. Last year, she was recognized as one of 28 winners of the 2024-25 National Association of Collegiate Athletics AD of the Year Award.

Read more about Spirk’s career at https://mrvn.co/coach-spirk.