The Mahar girls basketball program will have a new varsity coach next season, as Larry Fisher is stepping down after a lengthy tenure.
Fisher sent in his letter of resignation on Monday after 16 years at the helm of the program.
“After considerable thought, mixed emotions and health concerns, I have decided to resign as the varsity girls basketball coach,” Fisher wrote in a letter to Mahar athletic director Jim Woodward. “The Mahar experience over these past 16 seasons has been better than I could have ever imagined. I want to thank Jim Woodward and the Mahar administration for the support given to me and assistant coach Tony Paoletti during these years.
“Both Tony and myself are proud of what the program has accomplished and hope this success will continue with a new head coach.”
Fisher closes out his coaching career with a 228-108 record, winning the Franklin County League six times. He brought the Senators to the Western Mass. semifinals in 2008, 2013 and 2017, and reached the Western Mass. Div. 2 championship game in 2012.
“Over the years we’ve had such supportive parents,” Fisher said. “The feeder programs from the Orange travel team has helped support the program. There’s so many people behind the scenes who helped out with our jamboree and helped out with the concessions. We’ve had tons of community support. To make the tournament every year is a huge accomplishment and it’s all because of the kids and the players and their commitment. Tony and I have really appreciated all the players we’ve had.”
Fisher took over the program before the 2005-06 season. His teams qualified for the postseason every year during his tenure.