Gwynedd Mercy University’s Coach Mondillo Earns Historic 500th Win
Gwynedd Mercy University's Women's Basketball Head Coach Keith Mondillo ’04 notched his 500th career win with an 84-83 thrilling overtime victory over Immaculata University on Saturday, January 28.
This momentous victory is one earned by only 54 other coaches in the history of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and places Mondillo 19th in wins among active DIII women’s basketball coaches and 54th in wins all-time among women’s basketball coaches (includes active and inactive coaches of DIII at any point in their career).
If you coach long enough, the wins add up but the relationships with the student-athletes, parents, and coaches are what is truly special. I remember very little from the games. It's the time spent with the students and coaches off the court is what I will never forget. I will be credited for the 500 wins but it's the student-athletes over the 28 years that deserve this achievement.
GMercyU will host a ceremony honoring Coach Mondillo’s accomplishment on Wednesday, February 1 after the Women’s Basketball team plays Marymount University at 6 p.m.
Mondillo is now tied for 61st in Winning Percentage (.678) among active DIII women’s basketball coaches, and 205th in Winning Percentage (.678) all-time among women’s basketball coaches (includes active and inactive coaches of DIII at any point in their career).
This season marks Mondillo's 28th season behind the bench for the Griffins. During his tenure, Mondillo has transformed the Griffins program into a national and regional power. His success has been recognized by his peers with Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC, formerly Pennsylvania Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 1999, 2004, 2007, and 2012. Mondillo is the first – and only – coach in CSAC history to lead his team to consecutive undefeated conference seasons, winning regular season championships and the conference tournament championships in both the 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons. During that time, the Griffins overall record was an amazing 51-7 and 36-0 in conference play. The undefeated seasons are an achievement that has not been duplicated by any team in the conference, men or women. The Griffins moved from the CSAC to the Atlantic East Conference as one of seven schools who formed the new conference in 2018.
Mondillo’s 400th win was earned on December 29, 2015, with a victory over King's College (Pa.) and 300th win on January 30, 2010, with a victory over Marywood University. His conference record is a remarkable 329-81 (.802), leading the Griffins to seven conference titles and nine NCAA Tournament appearances. Overall, his teams have appeared in 18 of the last 25 conference championships – including last year’s Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Women’s Basketball Championship – and landed in the finals for 13 straight years (1998-2010).
“We are incredibly proud of and excited for Coach Mondillo,” said Gwynedd Mercy University President Deanne H. D’Emilio, JD. “His leadership on and off the court has provided an exceptional level of support for our student-athletes for decades, and we are thrilled to see him reach such a historic milestone. As GMercyU’s Athletic Director, Keith also is leading the implementation of a new athletics strategic plan that will position us for the future. As we approach our 75th anniversary later this year, we look forward to celebrating many more milestones with Coach Mondillo and our student-athletes.”
In addition to his role as Head Women's Basketball Coach, Mondillo has served as GMercyU's Director of Athletics since 1998. He serves on several NCAA committees, including the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee for Division III and as Chairperson of the Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking Committee. From 2005-2009, Mondillo served on the NCAA Women’s Basketball Rules Committee, which spans Divisions I, II, & III.
This past fall, Mondillo was instrumental in successfully ensuring students with intellectual disabilities nationwide can compete in Division III athletics. Students in non-degree seeking programs were unable to participate in collegiate-level sports until late last year. Together with GMercyU Integrated Studies student Sebastian DeSimone ’26, Sebastian’s family, and Program Director for Integrated Studies Ariana Amaya, OTD, OTR/L, Mondillo successfully obtained a waiver allowing Sebastian to run on GMercyU’s Track & Field and Cross Country teams. As a result, the NCAA’s Subcommittee for Legislative Relief approved a change that will make it easier for students with intellectual disabilities nationwide to compete in Division III athletics.
Off the court, Mondillo has been recognized for his coaching and playing tenure with a Philadelphia 21st Ward Athletic Association Hall of Fame selection in 2009, a Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame selection in 2014, and a Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame selection in 2016.
Mondillo earned a bachelor of arts in political science from Arcadia University in 1993 and a master’s in education from Gwynedd Mercy University 2004. He played high school basketball at Archbishop Kennedy High School from 1986-89 and went on to play at Arcadia University, becoming team captain in his junior and senior seasons. He is a native of Philadelphia and currently resides in Limerick, Pa. with his wife, Jennifer and children, Chase and Grace.