SALEM — Mike Carey’s coaching story took a spin back in time Friday.
Carey, the WVU women’s basketball coach who has spent the past 16 seasons turning the Mountaineers into a perennial top 25 program, once again found himself standing inside T. Edward Davis Gymnasium, in Salem.
This was where he had first built his coaching resume, winning 288 games in 13 seasons as the Salem International men’s coach and guiding the Tigers to five WVIAC championships.
Except this time was different — the court had his own name on it.
“Needless to say, I’m honored. I can’t put into words what this means to me,” Carey said. “My name may be on the court, but there are a lot of people who contributed to all of this. I had great assistant coaches, great leadership, great administration and great support throughout the community and within the University. I see a lot of positive things going on here, and I’m excited for Salem.”
Carey, a native of Clarksburg, scored more than 2,000 points for the Tigers before graduating in 1980.
He spent the next seven seasons coaching at area high schools before becoming an assistant coach with the Salem’s men’s team in 1987.
He became the school’s head coach the next season and helped the school reach two NAIA and seven NCAA Division II postseason appearances.
“Mike Carey’s record and accomplishments speak for themselves,” Athletic Director Steve Potts said. “Mike as a player and later a coach here at Salem University led the men’s basketball program to levels never achieved before. I could not think of anyone who would be more deserving to receive such an honor. Mike will always be a part of Salem University’s rich history and an honored alum.”
The Tigers twice made the Division II Elite Eight and earned a trip to the Division II Final Four in 1997, earning the nation’s No. 1 ranking along the way.
Carey earned four WVIAC Coach of the Year awards to go with a pair of NCAA Division II East Region Coach of the Year accolades.
Capping his career at Salem with a 288-102 overall record, Carey was inducted into the Salem Hall of Fame in 1992.
