1992 & 91 PSAC-West "Coach of the Year"
1991 Converse District 2 "Coach of the Year"
MARGARET "GIE" PARSONS - Head Coach
Margaret "Gie" Parsons, who begins her 14th year at Clarion, has vaulted the basketball program into national prominence during her tenure.
In 13 years Parsons, who won her 300th career game during the 2001-02 season, has compiled a strong 196-166 (54.1%) overall record at Clarion and a 306-239 (56.1%) career mark. She led the Eagles on an unbelievable 5-year ride from 1991-95 that included five straight PSAC-West crowns, three PSAC titles (1994, 93, 91), two East Region tiles (1994, 91) and two trips to the NCAA Division II "Elite 8". Parsons record was an incredible record of 117-33 (78%), plus 50-10 (83.3%) in the PSAC-West from 1991-95. The Eagles were ranked No. 2 in NCAA Division II in 1993-94.
Top years include 26-4 in 1994, 24-6 in 1993, 25-4 in 1992 and 24-8 in 1991. PSAC-West "Coach of the Year" and Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce "Lifetime Achievement Award" winner in 1992, she was named PSAC-West and Converse District 2 "Coach of the Year" in 1991.
Parsons came to Clarion from Thiel College, where she turned a losing program into annual winners. In her third year she led her 1984 team to an 18-6 slate, then a 22-2 mark, the PAC and WKC Conference titles in 1985. Named PAC "Coach of the Year" in 1985, "Gie" led Thiel back to the PAC Title in '86 and was again voted "Coach of the Year." Her 1987 squad was 18-6 and ranked 19th in Division III. In 1988 Thiel won the PAC and qualified for the D-III Playoffs with a 19-4 record, again voted PAC "Coach of the Year." She was 110-73 in 8 years at Thiel, including an amazing 97-46 mark her final six seasons.
A native of Monroeville, Pa., she graduated from Gateway High in 1967 and was a player/coach her senior year. Parsons attended Slippery Rock University and played for two seasons. Earning her B.S. Degree in HPE in 1971, she taught at Lakeview High and coached from 1971-74 then went to Australia and taught and coached at Doveton Technical School from 1975-77. She also spent three years (1977-80) teaching and coaching in New Zealand. Playing internationally those six years, she was a starter for the New Zealand Club Championship teams from 1977-79.
In 1980-81 she returned to SRU as a women's basketball G.A., went to Thiel in 1981-82, and was hired at Clarion on August 18, 1989. Parsons has extensive contacts in basketball and has traveled to at least 48 states in the U.S., plus internationally.
PARSONS COACHING CAREER AT CLARION
| YEAR | OVERALL | % | PSAC-WEST | % | PSAC-WEST PLACE | PSAC PLACE | NCAA PLACE |
| 2002 | 12-15 | 44.4% | 6-6 | 50.0% | 4th | ||
| 2001 | 10-16 | 38.5% | 3-9 | 25.0% | 6th | — | — |
| 2000 | 9-17 | 34.6% | 2-10 | 16.7% | 6th | — | — |
| 1999 | 9-17 | 34.6% | 2-10 | 16.7% | 7th | — | — |
| 1998 | 6-22 | 21.4% | 3-9 | 25.0% | 5th | — | — |
| 1997 | 12-15 | 44.4% | 6-6 | 50.0% | 4th | — | — |
| 1996 | 13-13 | 50.0% | 4-8 | 33.3% | 5th | — | — |
| 1995 | 18-11 | 62.1% | 9-3 | 75.0% | *1st | 2nd | Playoffs |
| 1994 | 26-4 | 86.7% | 11-1 | 91.7% | *1st | *1st | *"Elite 8" |
| 1993 | 24-6 | 80.0% | 11-1 | 91.7% | *1st | *1st | "Sweet 16" |
| 1992 | 25-4 | 86.2% | 10-2 | 83.3% | *1st | Final 4 | "Sweet 16" |
| 1991 | 24-8 | 75.0% | 9-3 | 75.0% | *1st | *1st | *"Elite 8" |
| 1990 | 8-18 | 30.8% | 2-10 | 16.7% | 6th | — | — |
| 13-Years | 196-166 | 54.1% |
78-78 |
50.0% |
*5 |
*3 | *2 |
*-Titles Won/*2- NCAA East Region Titles
8 - Years at Thiel College - Overall Record - 110-73
21-Year Collegiate Record: 306 - 239