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HoopDirt.com first reported last night that Rivier University head coach Dave Morissette had resigned – it has now been made official by the university.

Morissette has been with the University for the past 18 years in various roles within the department. Recently he served as the Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach for both Men’s Basketball and Softball.

He spent 17 seasons on the bench for the Raiders’ hoops team, compiling more than 170 wins, 15 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championship Tournament appearances, the only GNAC Championship in 2007 along with the only NCAA Division III Tournament appearance. On the softball diamond, Morissette spent a total of seven seasons as the Head Coach – including the previous five seasons – which he totaled 103 wins and appeared in the GNAC Tournament three times.

“Rivier has been my life the past 18 years and those years were real special.” Morissette said. “I have great friends for life that I have worked with the entire time and the best leader (Rivier Athletic Director) Joanne Merrill who has been a huge influence in my life. I have coached some fine young adults that mean more to me than they will ever know.”

Morissette continued “I want to thank the Rivier University Community for affording me this opportunity. I will never forget this chance that I was given.”

Merrill has announced that former Rivier student-athlete and current Assistant Coach, Lance Bisson ’09 will be promoted to Interim Head Coach for Men’s Basketball for the remainder of the season. Bisson played all four seasons of his collegiate career for Coach Morissette and has spent the previous three years on the bench as an assistant. During his career, Bisson totaled 1,223 points while being an instrumental member of the ’07 GNAC Championship squad and was also inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

Merrill also selected Mike Holloran as the Interim Head Softball Coach. Holloran has been a part of the Softball program here at Rivier for a total of fifteen seasons. He spent 1996-2005 as an assistant coach before leaving for a few other coaching opportunities. He returned in time for the 2011 season and has been back with the softball program ever since.

On behalf of the Rivier University Athletic Department and the entire Rivier University community, we would like to thank Coach Morissette for his dedicated service and wish him nothing but the best for years to come.

http://www.rivierathletics.com/sports/mbkb/2015-16/releases/20151130uzqpts

Photo Courtesy Rivier Athletics