Fredonia University

Rich Clifford joined the Fredonia men's basketball coaching staff prior to the start of the 2015-16 season.

He is a graduate of Xavier University and a member of the baseball team as pitcher. He also played basketball at Maryknoll College (1965-66). Clifford earned a B.A. in English from Xavier in 1968 and taught secondary English for 38 years -- including 35 1/2 years in the Cassadaga Valley School District in Sinclairville, N.Y.
 

While at Cassadaga Valley, Clifford coached varsity baseball for 19 years and high school basketball for 44 years -- 21 years at the varsity level. He coached the Cougars to four division titles during a stretch from 2005 to 2011, highlighted by the 2011 WNY Section 6 overall Class B championship and a trip to the NYSPHSAA Far West Regional. He also coached baskietball for one season at Harborcreek (Pa.) High School.

He and his wife, Connie, have two grown children, Ryan, an assistant professor of graphic design at Iowa State University; and Kate, a compliance officer vice president at First Niagara Financial Group in Buffalo.