March 5, 2004
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The magic that Head Coach Tim O'Toole has worked over the past four months was not just recognized by Fairfield University fans. It was also noticed by his peers in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The sixth-year mentor earned the conference's highest honor on Friday night when he was named the MAAC Coach of the Year.
Coach O'Toole was not alone in his accolades, as junior guard Tyquawn Goode collected the 2003-04 Defensive Player of the Year. Goode kept Fairfield's dominance in that category, as a Stag player won the award for the third straight season. Deng Gai received the honor the previous seasons, giving Fairfield the award since its inception during the 2001-02 campaign.
Goode averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game during the regular season. But, Goode's intangibles are what earned the guard this prestigious award. His pressure on the ball often led to steals and fast break points. He tallied 33 steals during the regular season, second on the team. His 97 assists were a team-high, and also placed eighth in the MAAC. Plus, Goode owned a 1.40 assist-turnover ratio, good enough for eighth place in the conference.
"Ty has worked hard all year and it's always nice to see someone's hard work pay off," Coach O'Toole said. "He has been a real catalyst for us the entire year, and will continue to hold that role for us in the tournament."
Under Coach O'Toole, Fairfield continues to reach unprecedented success, especially in MAAC play. The team has posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since the 1977-78 1978-79 squads accomplished that task. With successive 19-win seasons, the Fairfield graduate raised his career record to 88-85 heading into the MAAC tournament.
Coach O'Toole has also led his team to conference success as well, leading the team to two straight double-digit win totals in MAAC play for the first time in school history. Plus, he has 64 MAAC regular-season wins, more than any other coach in school annals.
The MAAC Player of the Year was presented to Manhattan's Luis Flores, while the Rookie of the Year went to Saint Peter's Shane Nichols. Canisius forward Jon Ferris picked up the MAAC Sixth-Man Award.
The Stags begin their quest for the MAAC tournament title on Saturday, March 6 when they
play the winner of the Marist-Siena game. The game will tip off at 9:30 pm, and will be
televised on the Madison Square Garden network.
