Former Perry girls basketball head coach Mike Long received a plaque from Perry Superintendent Clark Wicks Thursday in recognition for nearly 40 years of dedication to the program.
Perry hosted Ogden for a girls/boys set, with a ceremony between games held in Long’s honor. Long stepped down after last season and is now assisting the boys varsity.
In 37 years as head coach Long led Perry to 566 victories and guided the team from Six-on-Six to 5-player basketball. He guided the 1988 team to the Six-on-Six state tournament before taking the 1993 team to the final Six-player state tourney.
Long coached Perry to the state tournament again in 2000, and led the Jayettes back to the big stage in 2002, winning the state championship.
A large number of Jayette alumni from throughout Long’s career were on hand to congratulate and thank their old coach, the affection for their former mentor clear.
In addition to his lengthy contributions as girls cage coach, Long remains the varsity baseball coach, a position he has held for 40 seasons. He is 711-408 overall on the diamond, leading the Bluejays to second-place finishes in 1987, 1991 and 1998 and to the state tournaments in 1999, 2002 and 2004 as well.
