Pearman Named Rhode Island Women's Basketball Coach
6/21/1999 8:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
April 15, 1999
KINGSTON, R.I. - The University of Rhode Island hired former New England Blizzard associate head coach, Belinda "Boe" Pearman (pear-man) as the Rams head women's basketball coach, Director of Athletics Ron Petro announced today.
As the Rhode Island women's basketball program enters its 25th season, Pearman becomes the fifth coach in Ram history at the helm of the team. She served two seasons with the Blizzard of the American Basketball League, after spending 12 years as an assistant at Maryland. During her tenure with Maryland, the Terrapins won three Atlantic Coast Conference titles and made eight NCAA tournaments appearances.
As the associate head coach for the Blizzard during the 1998-99 season, promoted from the assistant the previous season, she helped bring the Blizzard from the bottom of the league in 1996-97 to a second place finish in the Eastern Division in 1997-98 with a 24-20 record and a berth into the playoffs. The Blizzard was 3-10 during the 1998-99 season when the ABL canceled the rest of the season.
As the associate head coach, she was responsible for scouting, instituting new offenses and defenses, as well as, conducting practices. She made all decisions as it related to players and the draft. The Blizzard lead the ABL in attendance both seasons Pearman was with the team.
As an assistant coach for Maryland, the Terrapins were 227-120 (.654) during Pearman's 12 seasons from 1985-86 through 1996-97. Maryland won three Atlantic Coast Conference titles (1986, '88 and '89) and made eight appearances in the NCAA tournament. The Terrapins reached the Final Four in 1989 and the Elite Eight in 1988 and 1992. Maryland was ranked No. 1 during the 1991-92 season until the Terps lost in the Regional Finals.
As the coordinator of Maryland's recruiting program, Pearman was responsible for the 1994 recruiting class that was ranked as high as fourth nationally. She recruited two players who played for the U.S. Select Team, four players on the Junior National Team and eight individuals who participated in the U.S. Olympic Festival, as well as, three ACC Rookies-of-the-Year. Besides coaching, her other responsibilities included scouting and directing the girls basketball camp.
Prior to joining the Maryland coaching staff, Pearman served as the head coach at Regina High School in Hyattsville, Md. for one season after graduation. She led Regina High to its best season ever in the Maryland Area Catholic League as it defeated the No. 1 ranked team during the year.
During Pearman's four seasons as a player for Maryland, the Terrapins were 89-31 (.742) and won three Atlantic Coast Conference titles (1981, '82 and '83) and advanced to the national tournament all four years. Maryland advance to the Elite Eight of the final AIAW Tournament in her freshman season in 1981. The following three years her team reached the NCAA Tournament, making it to the Final Four in 1982 and the Sweet Sixteen in 1983. Maryland was ranked in the Associated Press Top 20 every week of her entire playing career.
Pearman, one of 17 individuals to score more than 1,000 points, is currently ranked 13th in the Maryland record books in scoring (1,284) and in rebounding (574). She is also listed in the Top 15 in field goal percentage (.498), field goals made (509), field goals attempted (1,022), free throw percentage (.685), blocked shots (36), games played (118) and games started (98). She was named to the 1982 All-ACC Tournament team and was selected to the 1984 All-ACC Second Team.
As a high school standout for Hagerstown High School (Md.), Pearman was an All-American selection and was named Co-Outstanding Player-of-the-Year for Washington County. She averaged 24 points and 17 rebounds as a senior.
Belinda "Boe" Pearman
Birthdate: August 5, 1962
Hometown: Hagerstown, Md.
Education: Maryland, 1984
Coaching Experience:
Head Coach, Regina High School (Md.), 1984-85
Assistant Coach, Maryland, 1985-97
Assistant Coach, New England Blizzard, 1997-98
Associate Head Coach, New England Blizzard, 1998-99
Pearman's Basketball Experience
1980-81 Maryland Player 19-9 (ACC Champ., AIAW)
1981-82 Maryland Player 25-7 (ACC Champ., NCAA)
1982-83 Maryland Player 26-5 (ACC Champ., NCAA)
1983-84 Maryland Player 19-10 (NCAA)
1984-85 Regina H.S. Head Coach
1985-86 Maryland Assistant Coach 17-13 (ACC Champ., NCAA)
1986-87 Maryland Assistant Coach 15-14
1987-88 Maryland Assistant Coach 26-6 (ACC Champ., NCAA)
1988-89 Maryland Assistant Coach 29-3 (ACC Champ., NCAA)
1989-90 Maryland Assistant Coach 19-11 (NCAA)
1990-91 Maryland Assistant Coach 17-13 (NCAA)
1991-92 Maryland Assistant Coach 25-6 (NCAA)
1992-93 Maryland Assistant Coach 22-8 (NCAA)
1993-94 Maryland Assistant Coach 15-13
1994-95 Maryland Assistant Coach 11-18
1995-96 Maryland Assistant Coach 13-14
1996-97 Maryland Assistant Coach 18-10 (NCAA)
1997-98 N. E. Blizzard Assistant Coach 24-20 (playoffs)
1998-99 N. E. Blizzard Assoc. Head Coach 3-10 (league canceled)
