Roarke instrumental in Bengals' return to succes

Buffalo State women's basketball coach Sue Roarke was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year following the Bengals' historic 25-3 season that fell just one win shy of an NCAA tournament bid. She's guided Buffalo State to the SUNYAC playoffs for three consecutive seasons and four total throughout her tenure.

But before her success, Burke experienced a few bumps in the road, and she'll be the first to say it.

"Through my playing years, Buffalo State was always a successful team and program, so when I was presented with the opportunity (to coach), I couldn't say no," Roarke said. "I knew it was going to be a rebuilding challenge for me the first couple years, but I like where we are."

Challenges are something Roarke has dealt with throughout her entire life, from her playing days as a five-sport athlete in high school (where she was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame) to now. Roarke was also a four-year starting point guard at Keuka College where she led the team to ECAC and NYSWCAA postseason berths.

"That meant a lot to me to be refinished for playing the sports I loved and it kept me humbled to strive for more," Roarke said.

Prior to her hiring at Buffalo State, Roarke had eight years of coaching experience at the Division III level, including stints at Russell Sage College and Stevens Institute of Technology, where each of her teams finished their seasons over .500. In 2002, her team at S.I.T. advanced to the ECAC Skyline Conference championship game. She also was an assistant at Division II Merrimack College in 2002.

Upon accepting the job at Buffalo State, Roarke inherited a program with 557 total wins, nine SUNYAC championships and 11 NCAA appearances since 1965, but she would eventually embrace the expectations that inevitably came with the job.

After a few lackluster seasons, including a 5-20 record her first year and 12-14 in her second season, Roarke has turned the Bengals' fortune around. Her most successful season came this year, in which the Bengals set a program record for wins in a season.

Coming into Roarke's first season, she made it a point to get a point guard that could run her offense. She found that and more in Barb Kiliszek, who went on to be a four-year starter, team captain and a two-time all-SUNYAC selection.

"Barb was in my first recruiting class and she has to be the smartest player I have ever coached in terms of basketball IQ. She will be hard to replace next year," Roarke said.

Kiliszek praised Roarke for being influential on her career.

"Coach Roarke was a fair and truthful coach. She always would let you know what you were doing right and what you could improve on as a player," Kiliszek said. "She's a players' coach and someone you wanted to always be around.

"(Roarke) did a tremendous job keeping us focused and prepared for every game," she continued. "I think that was a big difference for us this year. After every win she was looking toward the next game and how we could win the next game. That kept us motivated to strive to be better each and every game."

Along with Kiliszek, Roarke has molded junior Staci McElroy and sophomore Bianca Smiley into two of the SUNYAC's top players. Both McElroy and Smiley made first-team All-SUNYAC this season. McElroy finished the year averaging 15.7 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. Smiley averaged 14.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, while compiling 401 total points.

"Staci's athletic ability is tremendous, and the thing with her is she's so smooth that you can't tell if she scored 10 points or 30 points," Roarke said.

Smiley entered this past season with big shoes to fill after Dee Layne graduated last year. With a big hole down low, Roarke went to work again, convincing Smiley to transfer from Medaille. Smiley blossomed under the tutelage of Roarke.

"Ever since high school, Coach Roarke wanted me here," Smiley said. "I didn't come right away, but now that I'm here I couldn't be happier and I can't wait to get back to work. She has a motor where she doesn't stop working and I think her personality rubs off on the team."

Despite all the accolades Roarke has garnered for her team after this season, she insists her work isn't finished.

"I'm actually working now to get a point guard in here to replace Barb to help get this team back to where we were, and even further," Roarke said.

Aubrey Gibert can be reached by email at gibert.reocrd@live.com.