In emotional speech, Riley steps down

FALLS VILLAGE — In the middle of the winter sports awards ceremony at Housatonic Valley Regional High School on Tuesday, March 31, girls basketball coach Kevin Riley shocked the more than 100 people in attendance by announcing his retirement.

Since his debut in 1992, Riley has coached 1,275 games and 258 players, and racked up 245 wins and 152 losses.

“All of those numbers are important to me,� Riley said in announcing his retirement. “My retirement has nothing to do with the kids or the school. It just has to do with personal stuff related to my job and how much I need to be there for my job. Sometimes you teach lessons to your players, but coaches learn too. Being a coach has shaped what I have been able to do in my life.�

Riley said he has enjoyed all of the players, and the friends he has made over the years in his time coaching at Housatonic.

“I just hope, in my heart,  that for these athletes and the others before them, [the experience] has been a positive one,â€� he said. “I am sure that whoever coaches next season will have the same feelings. Part of what coaching is, is that we do it for the kids and our families. We enjoy it and that’s why we keep doing it. I hope my time with my players has helped them as much as it has helped me succeed in who I am today.â€�

Coach Riley was then given a standing ovation as he left the podium. Assistant Coach Scott Thornton presented Riley with a cowboy hat and then spoke about Riley’s achievements as a coach.

“I wish I had the numbers you had,� Thornton said. “You coached four teams to the Berkshire League Championship and out of the 17 teams you’ve coached, 16 of them went to the state championships. Impressive numbers.�

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