Pat Rafferty
Pat Rafferty
  • Email:
    praffert@cwc.edu
  • Hometown:
    Buffalo, Wyoming
  • Title:
    Head Coach: Men's Basketball
  • Organization:
    Central Wyoming College
  • City:
    Riverton
  • State:
    WY
  • ZIP Code:
    82501
  • Phone:
    307-855-2243

Bio

Pat Rafferty returns to Riverton to lead the CWC men’s basketball program for the 2024-2025 season. He had previously been the men’s basketball coach at Central Wyoming from 2013-2016.

Rafferty grew up in Buffalo, Wyoming. During his high school basketball playing career, he earned a Wyoming All-State selection and was selected to represent Wyoming in the Wyoming-Montana All-Star Game. He went on to play college basketball for Northwest College and then moved on to Montana State University-Billings to finish his collegiate career.

Rafferty has a remarkable coaching record as a NJCAA coach, holding head coaching positions at Midland College, Grayson College, and Casper College. He was recognized as the Region 9 men’s basketball “Coach of the Year” in 1988 as well as in 2015. Rafferty has won three conference championships and led Casper College to sixth place in the NJCAA National Tournament during the 1987-1988 season. He also coached seven NJCAA All-Americans during his time as a coach at the junior college level.

Rafferty also has extensive experience as an NCAA assistant coach. He’s had the opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff at Montana State-Billings, Northern Arizona University, University of Idaho, Drake University, University of Louisville, and University of Texas-Arlington. Rafferty also was the Head Coach of Northern Arizona University from 1988-90. In addition to his illustrious college coaching career, he also was an NBA scout for the Minnesota Timberwolves and an assistant coach for the Long Island Nets, a NBA G-League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets from 2016-2017. Rafferty was also selected as the 2007 court coach for the 2007 USA men’s basketball U19 world team.

Coach Rafferty believes in developing student-athletes as players as well as citizens. His favorite pieces of advice to impart on his athletes are “your actions reflect your priorities”, and “what you do affects other people and what other people do affects you”. Rafferty recognizes the importance of preparing student-athletes for what’s next in their lives as athletes, students and citizens.

Rafferty is married to his wife, Toni. He enjoys playing golf in his free time and is a supporter of the Life Center & Fremont County Boys Home here in Riverton, Wyoming.