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Under the Arch May 16, 2005 Volume VI, Number 34
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JOHN REILLY INTRODUCED AS NEW MEN'S HEAD BASKETBALL COACH Gannon University President Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. introduced former assistant John Reilly as the school’s next head men’s basketball coach Monday afternoon during a press conference in Old Main’s Boardroom. Reilly becomes the 18th men’s basketball coach in school history. Reilly has spent the last 12 years as the head coach at Brescia University, a Catholic university in Owensboro, Kentucky. He has served in a dual capacity during the last nine years, serving also as the Director of Athletics. “As an alumnus and former assistant coach here from 1987 to 1993, Coach Reilly understands Gannon’s high standards of academic and athletic excellence for its student athletes and also its Catholic mission,” said Garibaldi. “I am confident that he will maintain those traditions on and off the court.” Reilly, 42, has compiled a 232-145 record during his 12-year tenure at Brescia. The Bearcats posted winning records in 10 of those 12 seasons, including each of the last nine. The NAIA Division I program recorded five 20-win seasons and averaged 19.3 victories under Reilly’s tutelage. Prior to his hiring in 1993, Brescia had failed to attain a winning record in any of the program’s first 12 years of existence. He took Brescia to the apex of NAIA collegiate basketball with back-to-back appearances in the NAIA National Tournament during the last two seasons. The Bearcats dropped an 80-76 overtime decision to nationally-ranked Oklahoma Christian in the first round of the 2005 tournament. “It is a tremendous honor to return to the institution where I received my Master’s degree and began my coaching career,” said Reilly. “Gannon is one of the premier NCAA Division II jobs in the country and I am extremely excited about the opportunity to continue one of the best traditions in college basketball. “Our student-athletes at Brescia have excelled both on the court and in the classroom. That is what I hope to continue here. I know Gannon has a strong tradition of great student-athletes and my goal is to continue that tradition.” Reilly’s Brescia teams have been built around aggressive defense and rebounding. The Bearcats ranked fourth nationally in team defense during the 1999-00 campaign and seventh in 2000-01. The Cats led the country in rebounding margin during the 2000-01 season. Brescia players have earned All-American honors 14 times under Reilly’s guidance. The amazing fact is that no Bearcat had ever achieved All-American status prior to Reilly’s arrival. He has coached 11 All-Americans and three Academic All-Americans. In 2005, Demontae Foots was named to the All-American first team and Dane Russell earned Academic All-American accolades. Reilly began his coaching career at Gannon where he served on the coaching staff for six years (1987-93). He served as a graduate assistant for two seasons under Tom Chapman before accepting a full-time assistant coaching position in 1989-90. All four seasons as a full-time assistant came under Bob Dukiet. Reilly helped coach Gannon to two NCAA Division II East Region Championships and led the Golden Knights to a 128-51 record during his six years at Gannon. In his first campaign (1987-88) at Gannon, the Golden Knights posted a 24-8 record and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. Gannon came back to record its sixth consecutive 20-win season the following year, going 21-9. The Knights advanced to the Elite Eight in 1989-90 for the third time in four seasons, finishing with a 24-8 record. Reilly finished his stay at Gannon with a 17-13 record in 1990-91, 22-6 in 1991-92, and 20-7 in 1992-93. Overall, the Golden Knights reached 20 wins in five of six seasons and averaged 21.3 victories per season with Reilly on the bench. Reilly replaces Jerry Slocum, who resigned in April to accept the head coaching position at Division I Youngstown State. A native of Bowie, Md., Reilly played basketball at Bowie High School where he earned All-Prince Georges County honors. He also played on the collegiate level at Bowie State University where he was a two-year starter. Reilly led the team in scoring as a junior and senior. In addition, he was named team MVP as a senior. Reilly graduated from Bowie State in 1986 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He earned his Master’s of Science degree from Gannon in the spring of 1989. He and his wife, Donna MacAskill, have one daughter, Kirsten (9).
OUR EVENTS
THE PRESIDENT'S SCHEDULE Monday, May 16 – Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators spring business meeting. Tuesday, May 17 – Gannon Faculty and Staff Community Meeting. Wednesday, May 18 – University of St. Thomas (Minn.) Board of Trustees’ meetings (May 18-19).
CURRENT BIRTHDAYS Julie Robbins. Denise Simon. Jason Walkow. David Marino. Cornell Petty. Carl Hultman. Melanie Parker. Bobbi Jo Fye. Carrie Gunter. David States. Elizabeth Garloch. Nancy Kelly. Scott Miller. Jana Hunt. Debra Peffer. Linda Wagner. Mark Kauffman. Ward McCracken. John Sanow. Cathy Fresch. Angela Jones. Jerry Fisher. Jon Nagle. Roy Voshall. John Lovett. Patricia Maughn.
HEARD ON CAMPUS
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