YSU hires Slocum
Apr 12, 2005 6:11:16 GMT -5
Post by Big D on Apr 12, 2005 6:11:16 GMT -5
Hunt over: Slocum to be named coach
By JOHN VARGO Tribune Chronicle
Gannon University's Jerry Slocum is coming to Youngstown State University.
According to an source close to the men's basketball program, the new coach will be introduced at Beeghly Center today around 4 p.m.
Warren G. Harding graduate and Gannon sophomore standout post player Shelby Chaney also confirmed the hiring because Slocum told the team he would be leaving for YSU.
"He addressed us this morning as a team.'' Chaney said. "It's a big loss to us, but we have to move on.''
A call to YSU Athletic Director Ron Strollo confirming today's news conference was not returned.
Slocum did not want to comment as to whether YSU has contacted him.
"I have no comment on that, as you can understand. That would have to come from the university,'' Slocum said.
Chaney averaged 15 points and seven rebounds last season for the Golden Knights.
"He expects a lot out of his players. He's definitely taught be to be a better player,'' Chaney said.
Slocum, 53, posted a 179-78 record in nine years at Gannon. During his 30-year career, he's had stops at Nyack (N.Y.) College and Geneva (Pa.) College and amassed a career mark of 580-325.
Slocum has posted 20-win seasons in 19 of his 30 seasons.
He knows what it takes to bring in a winner.
"We'll exhaust all avenues to bring in the kind of player we need to bring in,'' said Slocum during Thursday's interview with the media on YSU's campus.
Slocum said he will find the players that might turn out to be gems of a recruiting class.
"There are 13 Division I teams in the state. Where we rate as far as recruiting choices will be open for debate. The bottom line is there's enough kids out there for everybody. There's enough kids out there,'' Slocum said last Thursday. "If you're going head to head in the middle of the state against one the (Mid-American Conference) MAC schools, you're probably not going to win that war. But that doesn't mean you don't go out and fight that war. That means you don't go find that kid that, all of a sudden, slips through the cracks last in the recruiting classes.
"It's about hard work and not being discouraged. Maybe it didn't go your way, therefore you want to take a shortcut. You stand up to the plate and say, 'Hey, I took a hit there.' It's not going to discourage us and we're going to keep going in the state and the area, like Pittsburgh and stuff like that.''
The same intensity Slocum conveys in the aforementioned statements displays the passion he has for the game.
"He is very intense on and off the court,'' Chaney said.
And, is quite trustworthy.
"Whatever he says is what he means,'' Chaney added.
Slocum is also up-front about a student-athlete's education.
"I have a 100 percent graduation rate in the 30 years I've been coaching,'' he said Thursday. "They've (student-athletes) made it because it's an emphasis. They've made it because they understand what an investment it is from this coaching staff for them to get their degree.''
Today, YSU makes an investment in Slocum, who is expected to sign a four-year deal between $100,000 and $130,000, according to earlier statements by Strollo.
www.tribune-chronicle.com/sports/story/0412202005_spt1ysu12.asp
By JOHN VARGO Tribune Chronicle
Gannon University's Jerry Slocum is coming to Youngstown State University.
According to an source close to the men's basketball program, the new coach will be introduced at Beeghly Center today around 4 p.m.
Warren G. Harding graduate and Gannon sophomore standout post player Shelby Chaney also confirmed the hiring because Slocum told the team he would be leaving for YSU.
"He addressed us this morning as a team.'' Chaney said. "It's a big loss to us, but we have to move on.''
A call to YSU Athletic Director Ron Strollo confirming today's news conference was not returned.
Slocum did not want to comment as to whether YSU has contacted him.
"I have no comment on that, as you can understand. That would have to come from the university,'' Slocum said.
Chaney averaged 15 points and seven rebounds last season for the Golden Knights.
"He expects a lot out of his players. He's definitely taught be to be a better player,'' Chaney said.
Slocum, 53, posted a 179-78 record in nine years at Gannon. During his 30-year career, he's had stops at Nyack (N.Y.) College and Geneva (Pa.) College and amassed a career mark of 580-325.
Slocum has posted 20-win seasons in 19 of his 30 seasons.
He knows what it takes to bring in a winner.
"We'll exhaust all avenues to bring in the kind of player we need to bring in,'' said Slocum during Thursday's interview with the media on YSU's campus.
Slocum said he will find the players that might turn out to be gems of a recruiting class.
"There are 13 Division I teams in the state. Where we rate as far as recruiting choices will be open for debate. The bottom line is there's enough kids out there for everybody. There's enough kids out there,'' Slocum said last Thursday. "If you're going head to head in the middle of the state against one the (Mid-American Conference) MAC schools, you're probably not going to win that war. But that doesn't mean you don't go out and fight that war. That means you don't go find that kid that, all of a sudden, slips through the cracks last in the recruiting classes.
"It's about hard work and not being discouraged. Maybe it didn't go your way, therefore you want to take a shortcut. You stand up to the plate and say, 'Hey, I took a hit there.' It's not going to discourage us and we're going to keep going in the state and the area, like Pittsburgh and stuff like that.''
The same intensity Slocum conveys in the aforementioned statements displays the passion he has for the game.
"He is very intense on and off the court,'' Chaney said.
And, is quite trustworthy.
"Whatever he says is what he means,'' Chaney added.
Slocum is also up-front about a student-athlete's education.
"I have a 100 percent graduation rate in the 30 years I've been coaching,'' he said Thursday. "They've (student-athletes) made it because it's an emphasis. They've made it because they understand what an investment it is from this coaching staff for them to get their degree.''
Today, YSU makes an investment in Slocum, who is expected to sign a four-year deal between $100,000 and $130,000, according to earlier statements by Strollo.
www.tribune-chronicle.com/sports/story/0412202005_spt1ysu12.asp