YORK, PA – Long-time York College Head Women's Basketball coach Betsy Witman has announced her retirement effective May 31, 2025. Witman just completed her 28^th year at the helm of the York College program.
 
In conjunction with Witman's retirement, Associate Dean for Athletics and Recreation Paul Saikia, has announced that Spartan assistant coach Katie Kilpatrick has been named to lead the York College Women's Basketball program.
 
Witman leaves York as the all-time wins leader in program history with an overall record of 443-283, good for a winning percentage of .610%. Witman led the Spartans to a pair of Capital Athletic Conference championships, cutting down the nets in 2011 and 2014. The Spartans made four NCAA Tournament appearances, advancing to the tournament in 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2014. York advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2009 and again in 2012. York was 5-4 all-time in the NCAA Tournament under Witman.
 
"Betsy's contribution to York College athletics is immense. In addition to her 28 years of high-level coaching, she served as both our Associate AD and as our Senior Woman Administrator," said Saikia. "Most importantly, Betsy did it all with incredible decency and heart--she brought us almost 450 wins and every one of them came the right way. It's been an honor and a pleasure to work alongside her and watch her represent York College with such class and dignity. I can't overstate our good fortune for having had such an outstanding coach and wonderful person spend her career with us."
 
Witman is very thankful for her time at York College.
 
"I want to thank York College for the tremendous opportunity to serve as the Head Women's Basketball Coach for the past 28 years. In particular, I'd like to thank former Athletic Director, Jeff Gamber, for hiring me and giving me my dream job. And I'd also like to thank former Athletic Director, Sean Sullivan, and current AD, Paul Saikia, for supporting me throughout my career as an athletic administrator and head coach."
 
Kilpatrick just concluded her third year on the Spartan bench. She is a 2019 York College graduate who was a two-time All-Capital Athletic Conference honoree. She is one of York's 1,000 career scorers as she finished with 1,076 points. Kilpatrick has been York's lead assistant the last two years and has been responsible for being involved in all aspects of the program.
 
"Katie succeeding Coach Witman is as natural a transition one could imagine," said Saikia. "Katie is passionate about York College...clearly, her path has not been just to be a head coach, but to be our head coach. I am excited for her and know she will make the most of this opportunity. Coach Kilpatrick does everything with purpose, she has a strong handle on recruiting, and, to say the least, she is an intense competitor. The Spartan Women's Basketball program is in the right hands."
 
Kilpatrick is thrilled to take the reins of the program.
"I am deeply humbled and honored to be named the head coach of this exceptional program," said Kilpatrick. "One that has profoundly shaped me as a player, a person, and a coach. The York College women's basketball program is close to my heart, and I have an unwavering passion for it. Together, we will work tirelessly to elevate this program to new heights, while remaining grounded in the core values instilled by those who came before me. I owe a special debt of gratitude to Coach Witman for the countless ways, both big and small, that she has helped shape me into the professional I am today. I will strive each day to have the same positive impact on my players that Coach Witman had on me. The best is yet to come. Let's Go York!"
 
Witman knew it was time to retire, but it was a decision she didn't take lightly.
 
"This was not an easy decision for me to make, but I felt that it was time to pass the program on to someone who has the energy for the daily grind of this profession. Katie Kilpatrick is that person. Katie has been preparing for this opportunity and now it is her time to shine. I am confident that she will get this program back to a regional and national level in the near future." 
 
"I will truly miss seeing my fellow co-workers, assistant coaches, and administrators on a daily basis. Many of these people have become like family to me. Most of all, I will miss my student-athletes. It's been an honor and a privilege to be called their "Coach" for all these years. I wish them all the best and I look forward to cheering all the Spartan Teams on for years to come."
 
Kilpatrick and the Spartans will begin their 2025-26 season in early November.