Malone University Athletics

Dr. Patty Long served as the Malone women’s basketball coach from 1978 to 1983, guiding the Pioneers to their greatest five-year success in the program’s history. Long graduated from Trinity College (IL) in 1974 with a degree in Physical Education and Health and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Physical Education and Athletic Administration from Kent State University in 1977. She would later also receive her Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron in 1988. She graduated from Glenwood High School in 1970.

Under Long’s guidance, the Malone women’s basketball program soared to new heights. In her five seasons at the helm, she amassed an outstanding 109-29 record making her the most successful coach in program history with a .790 winning percentage. She coached the Pioneers to their first 20-win season in 1980-81, a feat she would accomplish in each of her last three seasons. Her 109 wins rank her second in number of victories in Malone women’s basketball history among a group of 13 Pioneer coaches, behind Kathy Haas who earned 130 wins in 10 seasons as coach. Malone achieved an outstanding #17 national ranking (a first-ever national ranking for the program) with Long as coach in 1980-81 and the team won the Division III state title that same year. Her five-year Malone coaching career culminated with the 1982-83 season during which she paced her squad to an incredible program-best 30-3 record.

Long is a Professor of Education and the Chair of the Department of Education at Malone University, where she has served since 1978. She and her husband, Bob, reside in Canton. They have one married son, Joshua.