22010-2011010-2011 RacerRacer BasketballBasketball RRACERACER HEADHEAD COACHCOACH Billy Kennedy begins his fi fth season as ’s head men’s coach and the Racer program could not be in a better position than it is right

now.

After numerous close calls and three-straight second- place fi nishes, the Racers won both the regular season and tournament championship in the 2009-10 season. The Racers capped it off with the program’s second win in the NCAA Tournament when they took down Vanderbilt in San Jose, Calif. MSU’s season is in the books as the best all-time in 85 seasons of this storied program. 31 wins and a 17-game winning streak were just two of several MSU records that fell during the Racers’ run to their 21st OVC championship and 14th trip to the big dance. Kennedy has achieved a lot in his profession, especially in the last six seasons where his teams have averaged 23 wins per season and have earned three conference championships and two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

KENNEDY’S OUTLOOK Has Kennedy enjoyed coaching more than he is right now as he heads into his 26th season in the game and 13th as a head coach? “No, especially from an X’s and O’s standpoint,” Kennedy said. “We’ve got such a good group that we don’t have to come in everyday and jack them up and coach effort and that’s why we had a great season. When you get that, you can win, and we’re hoping to do it again.” Kennedy has developed his own unique philosophy from the coaches he served with as an assistant and the time he has been a head coach. His view on how to run a program is simple… it’s all about the student-athletes and the relationship he has with them once they decide to join the Murray State family. “We have a goal in our program and that is to train young men physically, mentally and spiritually,” Kennedy said. “And to display toughness and character on and off the court.” Kennedy’s love for college basketball is very evident. “I thought I’d be a head coach some day, but I was never caught up in thinking I had to be a head coach,” He said. “I love college basketball, I love what I do and I’m blessed to be doing what I do. Just to be a part of this great game has been fun.”

Photo Credit: Kevin Weaks

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DEFENSE IN THE BILLY KENNEDY ERA Season Scoring FG% 3PT% Blocks Steals 2006-07 4 (65.8) 1 (.411) 1 (.307) 6 (2.8) 5 (7.1)

2007-08 5 (69.1) 1 (.428) 1 (.342) 5 (3.2) 7 (7.2)

2008-09 1 (63.2) 3 (.432) 1 (.329) 8 (2.1) 4 (7.2)

*2009-10 1 (60.4) 1 (.387) 1 (.333) 1 (5.4) 1 (9.6)

Note: Statistics shown for scoring, blocks and steals are per game. Totals are for all games in a season among OVC teams.

* In 2009-10 NCAA D-I, MSU ranked fi fth (steals), 10th (fi eld goal percentage defense), 19th (blocked shots), 21st (scoring defense) and 124th (3-point percentage defense).

HHometownometown THE KENNEDY ERA AT MURRAY STATE down to the wire and that led to three MMetairie,etairie, La.La. When Billy Kennedy arrived for his fi rst straight wins in Miami, Fla. at the Coaches season in 2006-07, he quickly realized he vs Cancer Classic. BBirthdateirthdate had a rebuilding project, but he didn’t have MSU ripped through the OVC with a FFebruaryebruary 2,2, 19641964 the luxury of time, the program demanded 17-1 mark and wrapped up the regular winning now. season title before the fi nal weekend. EEducationducation Already thin on personnel, Kennedy After beating Tennessee State, SSoutheasternoutheastern LouisianaLouisiana ' 8686 deserved to be OVC Coach of the Year Eastern Illinois and Morehead State to DDegreeegree SSocialocial StudiesStudies EducationEducation after he took a patchwork roster and still win the OVC Tournament, the Racers managed a winning season at 16-14. took down Vanderbilt in the fi rst round HHighigh SSchoolchool In that season, MSU was inexperienced of the NCAA Tournament in San Jose, HHolyoly CrossCross with only two players (Shawn Witherspoon Calif., 66-65 to score the fi rst win for the NNewew Orleans,Orleans, La.La. and Tyler Holloway) who had seen signifi cant program in the Big Dance since 1988. playing time. Still MSU managed a second- Kennedy had been part of winning FFamilyamily place showing in the OVC. NCAA games as an assistant, but this WWifeife --MaryMary was his fi rst win as a head coach. CChildrenhildren “When I look back on the time leading WWillill (22)(22) up to our fi rst season here, it’s amazing After the Racers just missed going LLexieexie (20)(20) what we accomplished,” Kennedy said. to the Sweet-16 in a two-point loss to BBrooksrooks (15)(15) “I remember looking at the roster eventual national runner-up Butler, MSU AAnnanna CateCate (6)(6) and we only had fi ve guys, but we added had a 31-5 season and the admiration of Danero Thomas, Ed Horton, Bruce Carter fans and all of college basketball. and Dwayne Paul and did a lot more than Kennedy was named the OVC Coach what people thought we would do.” of the Year and NABC District-19 Coach The building continued in the 2007- of the Year. He was also a fi nalist for the 08 season when MSU had accomplished Skip Prosser Award and another second-place OVC fi nish and an Award. 18-13 mark. The Racers were also honored with Again in 2008-09, the Racers were in the OVC Men’s Basketball Sportsmanship the OVC title hunt and fi nished in second Award in voting by the leagues’ head place with an overall 19-12 mark. coaches. The report card for Kennedy’s fi rst three “We have developed continuity of seasons showed three winning seasons having a great staff,” Kennedy said. and three near misses for the league title. “ has been with me 12 of The foundation had been set for the the 13 years of my time as a head coach. 2009-10 season, and it was a great ride Isaac has been here three seasons and as MSU started knocking off foes. Amir played for me and now coaches with The Racers turned heads in the season me, so we do have a staff that has been Photo Credit: Fred Mullane opener when they took ranked California together for a while.”

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MMSUSU CCOACHESOACHES TTHEHE KKENNEDYENNEDY FFILEILE WWINNINGINNING PPERCENTAGEERCENTAGE ((44 oorr mmoreore seasons)seasons) XMurray State University CCarlislearlisle CutchinCutchin 1 177 . .725725 • Position: Head Coach TTevesterevester AndersonAnderson 5 .664.664 • Tenure: 2006-Present • Record: 84-44 (4 seasons) SScottcott EEdgardgar 4 . .661661 BBillyilly KKennedyennedy 4 . .656656 XUniversity of Miami (Fla.) SSteveteve NewtonNewton 6 . .640640 • Position: Assistant Coach HHarlanarlan HodgesHodges 6 . .623623 • Tenure: 2005-2006 CCalal LutherLuther 1 166 . .610610 • Record: 18-16 RRonon GGreenereene 7 . .603603 e

• Finished season with an appearance in the n a l l NIT quarterfi nals. Miami was 7-9 in the ACC u M

d e including wins over Maryland, North Carolina r F

LLONGESTONGEST WWINNINGINNING SSTREAKTREAK : t i

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C BBillyilly KKennedyennedy 1 177 2 2009-10009-10

o t o h XSoutheastern Louisiana University P Photo Credit: Fred Mullane CCarlislearlisle CutchinCutchin 1 166 1 1935-36935-36 CCarlislearlisle CutchinCutchin 1 155 1 1931-32931-32 • Position: Head Coach RACERS PERFORM OFF THE COURT • Tenure: 1999-2005 SSteveteve NewtonNewton 1414 1989-901989-90 • The Lions were 44-18 in his last two sea- Not only have the Racers won many RRonon GGreenereene 1 144 1 1982-83982-83 sons with back-to-back Southland Confer- basketball games, they’ve performed in CCarlislearlisle CutchinCutchin 1 133 1 1937-38937-38 ence regular season titles and the school’s the classroom and won the OVC’s Team fi rst trip to the NCAA Tournament. Academic Award for men’s basketball for XCentenary College AALL-OVCLL-OVC & NNABCABC HONORSHONORS the 2008-09 school year. IINN TTHEHE BBILLYILLY KKENNEDYENNEDY EERARA • Position: Head Coach “We feel that our program is going in • Tenure: 1997-1999 22006-07006-07 the right direction, and we’re pleased with • Turned Centenary around in two seasons, BBruceruce CarterCarter Jr.Jr. taking it from only six wins in 1997-98 to a 14- the progress we’ve made,” Kennedy said. 22007-08007-08 14 mark his fi nal season, its fi rst non-losing “Our student-athletes are doing it the right season in fi ve years. BBruceruce CarterCarter Sr.Sr. way. “ 22008-09008-09 XUniv. of California-Berkeley In addition to academic achievement, DDaneroanero ThomasThomas Jr.Jr. • Position: Assistant Head Coach MSU is also about winning championships IIsaccsacc MMilesiles S So.o. • Tenure: 1993-97 and that is where Kennedy wants to be. • Had two 20-win seasons and made three &&** IIvanvan AAskaska F Fr.r. appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The “That’s what we’ve been striving and 22009-10009-10 1997 squad advanced to the Sweet 16. building for since I came here,” Kennedy ^ IIsaccsacc MMilesiles J Jr.r. XCreighton University said. “My staff and I want to get it done and ^ BB.J..J. JJenkinsenkins J Jr.r. • Position: Assistant Coach so does our team.” DDaneroanero TThomashomas S Sr.r. • Tenure: 1991-93 !!** IIsaiahsaiah CCanaananaan Fr.Fr. XTexas A&M University THE KENNEDY BASKETBALL FOCUS ! IIvanvan AAskaska S So.o. • Position: Assistant Coach Kennedy’s basketball philosophy starts • Tenure: 1990-91 with a rock-solid foundation of tough, in- • Spurs Scout * OOVCVC FFreshmanreshman ofof tthehe YYearear your-face defense. & CCollegeollege Insider.comInsider.com Mid-MajorMid-Major XTulane University In the 2009-10 season, Kennedy’s • Position: Assistant Coach AAll-Americall-America TTeameam Racers dominated the court on defense • Tenure: 1989-90 ^ NNABCABC All-DistrictAll-District 1919 and were part of a group of only eight XNorthwestern State University ! CCollegeInsider.comollegeInsider.com All-AmericaAll-America teams that led their conference in overall • Position: Assistant Coach FFreshmanreshman TTeameam • Tenure: 1988-89 fi eld goal percentage (.499) and fi eld goal percentage defense (.387). XUniversity of Wyoming 22009-10009-10 • Position: Graduate Assistant Coach The Racers led the OVC in scoring BBillyilly KennedyKennedy waswas namednamed OVCOVC • Tenure: 1987-88 defense, fi eld goal percentage defense, CCoachoach ofof thethe YearYear & NABCNABC • Had a 26-win season and made an three-point percentage defense, blocked DDistrict-19istrict-19 CoachCoach ofof thethe YearYear appearance in the NCAA Tournament. shots and steals plus they held the XUniversity of New Orleans opponent’s leading scorer under his MMSUSU TTeameam nnamedamed winnerwinner ofof • Position: Volunteer Assistant Coach average in 31 of 36 games. • Tenure: 1986-87 tthehe OVCOVC MMen’sen’s BasketballBasketball Under Kennedy’s watch, the Racers • Had a 26-win season before losing to Ala- SSportsmanshipportsmanship AwardAward bama in NCAA Tournament second round. have led the league in defending the three- point shot for the fourth straight season XSoutheastern Louisiana University 22008-09008-09 • Position: Student Assistant Coach (.333) and fi eld goal percentage defense MMSUSU TTeameam nnamedamed winnerwinner ofof OVCOVC • Tenure: 1985-86 (.387) for the third time in his four seasons. AAcademiccademic AwardAward

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Orleans, Wyoming, Northwestern State, Tulane, Texas A&M, Creighton and the University of California. He helped lead New Orleans to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1987. UNO was a 13-seed when they upset 2-seed BYU and then lost to Alabama. Kennedy also assisted Wyoming’s run to the NCAA Tournament in 1988. During his four seasons at California, the Golden Bears had two 20-win seasons and made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament and one trip to the Sweet 16. He earned a solid reputation as a recruiter early in his career while an assistant at California where three of his classes were considered among the best in the nation. Kennedy recruited Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Tony Gonzalez to the Cal program. MSU has now led the league in scoring 24-9 record, the best in school history, defense (60.4) in the last two seasons. won its second consecutive Southland KENNEDY’S EDUCATION-FAMILY “When I was a player that’s how I Conference title with a 13-3 league mark, Kennedy, 45, received his bachelor played.” Kennedy said. “I wasn’t a great claimed the school’s first conference of arts degree in social studies education offensive player, but I could play defense, tournament championship and advanced from Southeastern Louisiana University in and I think that if I could do it then anybody to face Oklahoma State in the NCAA 1986. He was a star basketball player at can.” Tournament. Holy Cross High School in New Orleans When he became a head coach, In his one season assisting Frank before attending Delgado Community Kennedy made a commitment to making Haith at Miami, Kennedy helped lead College where he earned an associate of defense the calling card of his teams. the Hurricanes to the quarterfi nals of the arts degree in general studies in 1984. “Everyone knows that’s what we do National Invitational Tournament with an He is still a big fan of his hometown at Murray State,” he said. “We just need 18-16 record. Miami had wins over North team, the New Orleans Saints, and was to make sure that we keep that as the Carolina, Maryland and Oklahoma State. thrilled to see the Saints win the Super main focus of our team. It’s easy to get Prior to taking over at SLU, Kennedy spent Bowl. The fact that it coincided with the distracted by the success we’ve had, to two seasons (1997-99) as head coach at Racers’ run to the NCAA Tournament was think about making the threes and all the Centenary College where he was able just icing on the cake. pretty stuff. We’re a blue-collar team, and to turn the program around in just two Kennedy is married to the former Mary that’s the way we will be.” seasons. Centenary went from only six Ethredge, and he has four children, Will wins in 1997-98 to a 14-14 mark in his (22), Lexie (20), Brooks (15) and Anna KENNEDY’S COACHING LEGACY fi nal season. Cate (6). Kennedy’s road to Murray State The Metairie, La., native spent began April 12, 2006 after six years as 11 seasons as an assistant coach at the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana seven Division I schools, including New University and one season as an assistant at the University of Miami (Fla.). In his fi nal two seasons at SLU, Kennedy guided the Lions to a 44-18 record, two regular season titles and the school’s fi rst ever trip to the NCAA Tournament. He was named Coach of the Year by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (In District-8) in back-to-back years.

In 2004-05, Southeastern posted a Photo Credit: Fred Mullane

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Samford ...... 3-7 San Diego State ...... 0-1 RRECORDECORD VVSS OOPPONENTSPPONENTS Seattle-Pacifi c...... 0-1 PPROFESSIONALROFESSIONAL ATHLETESATHLETES SIU Edwardsville...... 2-0 As head coach at Centenary, Southeastern South Alabama ...... 0-1 Former players coached or recruited Louisiana and Murray State South Florida ...... 0-1 by Billy Kennedy Southern ...... 4-1 Shareef Abdur-Rahim ...... Atlanta Hawks Alabama ...... 0-2 Southeast Missouri ...... 7-1 Anderson ...... 1-0 Southern Illinois ...... 0-1 Tim Breaux ...... Houston Rockets Arkansas...... 0-1 Southern Miss...... 0-1 Fennis Dembo ...... Detroit Pistons Arkansas Baptist...... 2-0 SMU ...... 0-1 Ledell Eackles ...... Washington Bullets Arkansas-Little Rock...... 0-1 Southeastern Louisiana ...... 1-1 Tony Gonzalez ...... Kansas City Chiefs Arkansas State ...... 1-2 Stephen F. Austin...... 5-7 Ronnie Grandison ...... Boston Celtics Auburn ...... 0-1 Stanford ...... 0-0 Austin Peay ...... 4-5 Stetson ...... 2-2 Jaren Jackson ...... San Antonio Spurs Avila ...... 1-0 Tennessee ...... 0-1 Shawn Marks ...... San Antonio Spurs Belhaven...... 3-0 UT Martin ...... 7-1 Nate Lofton ...... Harlem Globetrotters Belmont ...... 0-1 Tennessee State ...... 8-3 ...... New Jersey Nets Bethel...... 0-0 Tennessee Tech ...... 6-3 Herbert Lang ...... College Dunk Champ Boise State ...... 1-0 Tennesse Wesleyan ...... 1-0 Butler ...... 0-1 Texas A&M...... 0-2 Eric Leckner ...... Detroit Pistons California ...... 0-1 Texas-Arlington ...... 1-8 Michael Stewart ...... Cleveland Cavs Campbell ...... 1-1 Texas-San Antonio...... 6-7 Lemond Murray ...... Cleveland Cavs Central Florida ...... 1-2 Texas State ...... 6-6 Robert Pack ...... Dallas Mavericks Chattanooga ...... 1-1 Troy ...... 3-2 Ronnie McCollum ...... 2001 NCAA Scoring Title College of Charleston ...... 0-1 Tulane ...... 1-0 Colorado ...... 0-1 Vanderbilt ...... 1-1 Brooks Thompson ...... Creighton ...... 0-1 Wiley ...... 2-0 Dartmouth ...... 0-1 Western Carolina ...... 0-1 Dillard ...... 1-0 Western Kentucky ...... 1-2 Eastern Illinois ...... 8-1 Wright State ...... 0-1 Eastern Kentucky ...... 4-4 Youngstown State ...... 1-0 East Tennessee State ...... 1-0 Elon ...... 0-1 Florida A&M ...... 2-0 Florida Atlantic ...... 2-1 CCAREERAREER CCOACHINGOACHING EEXPERIENCEXPERIENCE Florida International ...... 1-2 Georgia State ...... 2-1 Year School Pos. Rec. Shareef Abdur- Tony Gonzales Hawaii ...... 0-1 1985-86 SE Louisiana Asst. 10-18 Rahim Henderson State...... 1-0 1986-87 New Orleans Asst. 26-4 High Point ...... 1-0 NCAA Tournament 2nd round Houston ...... 0-2 Idaho...... 1-0 1987-88 Wyoming Asst. 26-6 Illinois-Chicago ...... 0-1 NCAA Tournament 1st round Indiana-South Bend ...... 1-0 1988-89 Northwestern State Asst. 13-16 Indiana State ...... 1-1 Defeated Kentucky Jacksonville ...... 2-0 1989-90 Tulane Asst. 4-24 Jacksonville State ...... 10-2 James Madison ...... 1-0 1990-91 Texas A&M Asst. 8-21 Lamar ...... 8-4 1991-92 Creighton Asst. 9-19 Herbert Lang Jason Kidd Louisiana College ...... 2-0 1992-93 Creighton Asst. 8-18 LSU...... 0-2 1993-94 California Asst. 22-8 LSU-Shreveport ...... 1-0 NCAA Tournament 1st round Long Island ...... 0-1 Louisiana-Monroe ...... 5-9 1994-95 California Asst. 13-14 Louisiana Tech ...... 0-2 1995-96 California Asst. 17-11 Loyola, New Orleans ...... 4-0 NCAA Tournament 1st round Lyon ...... 1-0 1996-97 California Asst. 23-9 McNeese State ...... 4-8 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Memphis ...... 0-1 1997-98 Centenary HC 10-20 Mercer ...... 3-0 Michael Stewart Robert Pack Mississippi State ...... 0-5 1998-99 Centenary HC 14-14 Mississippi ...... 0-4 1999-00 SE Louisiana HC 10-17 Missouri ...... 0-2 2000-01 SE Louisiana HC 8-21 Missouri-St. Louis ...... 1-0 2001-02 SE Louisiana HC 7-20 Montana...... 0-1 Morehead State ...... 7-2 2002-03 SE Louisiana HC 11-16 Morgan State ...... 2-0 2003-04 SE Louisiana HC 20-9 New Orleans ...... 0-3 Co-Champion of Southland Conference Niagara ...... 0-1 2004-05 SE Louisiana HC 24-9 Nicholls State...... 7-4 NCAA Tournament 1st round North Carolina Central ...... 1-0 Northwestern State ...... 6-7 2005-06 Miami, Fla. Asst. 18-16 Nate Lofton Brooks Thompson Oklahoma State ...... 0-1 NIT Quarterfi nals Oral Roberts ...... 1-0 2006-07 Murray State HC 16-14 Pittsburgh ...... 0-1 Second Place In OVC Rice ...... 1-0 2007-08 Murray State HC 18-13 Richmond ...... 0-1 Rider ...... 2-0 Second Place in OVC Reinhardt ...... 0-0 2008-09 Murray State HC 19-12 Saint Catharine’s ...... 1-0 Second Place in OVC Saint Mary’s, Calif...... 0-2 2009-10 Murray State HC 31-5 Sam Houston State ...... 8-5 OVC Regular Season & Tournament titles

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Photo Credit: Fred Mullane

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HHometownometown Steve Prohm is entering his fi fth season with the Racers as an assistant coach. VVienna,ienna, Va.Va. Prohm has been associated with Billy Kennedy for 12 of his 13 seasons in the game. During that time he has helped coach teams at Murray State and Southeastern Louisiana to three league championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances, which included a win last spring BBirthdateirthdate when the Racers defeated Vanderbilt. JJulyuly 12,12, 19741974 “Being a part of the NCAA Tournament is a privilege, not only for the players, but for the coaches as well,” Prohm said. He has been a part of the effort that has built the Racers into a championship team. EEducationducation “It was good to see the hard work of our players and coaches pay off. It was something that I’ll AAlabamalabama ‘97‘97 always remember,” Prohm said. “We’re at a point now where we have players in the program that DDegreeegree EEducationducation know what we expect and have the ability to perform at a high level.” Recently, Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com named Prohm as one of the top assistant coaches in HHighigh SSchoolchool the Ohio Valley Conference. When seeing Prohm around the offi ce and arena daily, his enthusiasm and passion for what he NNorthwestorthwest WhitWhitfi eeldld does is very evident. TTunnelunnel Hill,Hill, Ga.Ga. “Coach Kennedy taught me about the importance of leading a balanced life,” Prohm said. “He’s been very loyal to me and I am very loyal to him.” BBillyilly KKennedyennedy oonn PProhmrohm Another reason Prohm is in college basketball is his commitment to teaching and mentoring the student-athletes that are recruited to Murray State. “SSteveteve iiss llikeike anotheranother headhead “We not only want to challenge them academically and athletically, but socially and spiritually as ccoachoach onon ourour staff.staff. HHe’se’s well,” Prohm said. “We want them to be successful during their four years at Murray State, but more ttirelessireless inin hishis preparationpreparation importantly, we want to see them be successful once they graduate from here.” aandnd hishis loyaltyloyalty toto mmee aandnd He came to MSU after serving as an assistant at Tulane University in New Orleans, La., during tthishis pprogram.rogram. TThathat hhasas bbeeneen the 2005-06 season, which included his guidance of a team that had their season interrupted by Hurricane Katrina. a bbigig reasonreason whywhy we’vewe’ve Prior to Tulane, Prohm was an assistant under Billy Kennedy at Southeastern Louisiana University bbeeneen successful.”successful.” from 1999-2005 where they won two Southland Conference championships and made a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2005. The Lions posted 24 wins in 2004-05, the most in school history. Prohm’s fi rst season in coaching was with Kennedy at Centenary College in 1998-99. Prohm graduated from the University of Alabama in 1997 with a degree in education. At Alabama, Prohm worked as a student assistant coach and student manager for the Crimson Tide for fi ve years which included two NCAA Tournament Appearances and one trip to the NIT Final Four. The Vienna, Va., native attended high school at Northwest Whitfi eld High in Tunnel Hill, Ga. where he lettered in basketball for three years.

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HHometownometown Isaac Chew begins his fourth year at Murray State with heightened anticipation of things to CChicago,hicago, Ill.Ill. come. Last year’s season was a highlight-reel complete with 31 wins, the Ohio Valley season and tournament championship, a fi rst round victory in the NCAA Tournament and record-breaking BBirthdateirthdate accolades aplenty. Chew’s respective efforts did not go unnoticed either, as Fox Sports’ Jeff Goodman AAprilpril 9,9, 19751975 named him one of the top assistant coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference. Chew has a long history of recruiting elite talent including All-OVC performers Ivan Aska and EEducationducation Isacc Miles. He has been instrumental in introducing young players to the Murray State mentality; and hopes that his infl uence can continue to work hand-in-hand with the proven philosophy of Coach AAvilavila UniversityUniversity ‘99‘99 Kennedy. DDegreeegree BBusinessusiness AdministrationAdministration “It’s refreshing to work with Coach Kennedy,” Chew said. “He provides me a lot of autonomy while BBakeraker UniversityUniversity ‘02‘02 giving me a great deal of responsibility. This allows me to be a leader in so many different ways. Yet, MMaster’saster’s DegreeDegree MMBABA he’s always around to give me the necessary guidance needed to have continued success.” Prior to his stint at Murray, Chew was well known in the AAU basketball circuit. Leading highly touted squads like Kansas City Pump ‘n Run and Kansas City Keys, this mentor is most proud of his HHighigh SSchoolchool 25 athletes that signed with D-I and D-II colleges. WWellsells He joined MSU after serving as an assistant coach at Indian Hills Community College in Ottumwa, CChicago,hicago, Ill.Ill. Iowa. The team advanced to the NJCAA National tournament for the fi rst time in fi ve seasons, and fi nished 34-2. His collegiate coaching career initially began as an assistant at Avila University in Kansas City, Mo. from 1999-2001, and then again from 2004-2006. BBillyilly KKennedyennedy oonn CChewhew Chew is a consummate educator of the game and believes in making an impact on the student- ““IsaacIsaac ccontinuesontinues toto establishestablish athletes in the MSU program. He keeps the door of communication open and encourages his players hhimselfimself asas oneone ofof thethe bestbest recruit-recruit- to take full advantage of every opportunity set forth. eersrs iinn thethe nation.nation. He’sHe’s gotgot a greatgreat Chew was an outstanding talent during his playing days. He was the Blue West Chicago Public League Player of the Year out of Wells High School, and played college basketball at Iowa Lakes wwayay ofof ccommunicatingommunicating withwith ourour Community College from 1994-1996. He fi nished his playing career at Avila University. sstudent-athletestudent-athletes andand I’mI’m thankfulthankful He earned a degree in business in 1999 at Avila and his MBA from Baker University in 2002. ttoo hhaveave himhim onon ourour staff.”staff.” After working for six years as a director of fi nance in Corporate America, he came back to the college game. Chew looks forward to another record-breaking season. “All of the pieces just came together last year, now we are hungry for more.”

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Photo Credit: Michael Dann

HHometownometown Amir Abdur-Rahim is in his third season as an assistant coach at Murray State and brings a love AAtlanta,tlanta, Ga.Ga. for the game and outstanding experience as a player. He brings a rare combination of professionalism and practical experience to the MSU program. Abdur-Rahim spent two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Racers before briefl y taking BBirthdateirthdate a position on the prep level at Wheeler High School in his hometown of Atlanta, Ga. Just about the MMarcharch 18,18, 19811981 time he was ready to begin the school year there in 2008, he got a call from Billy Kennedy to come back to MSU and he accepted. “The last two seasons here at MSU have been a great experience for me personally,” Abdur- EEducationducation Rahim said. “To be able to wake up every day and help a group of young men realize their dreams SSoutheasternoutheastern LouisianaLouisiana ‘04‘04 is more satisfying than anything.” DDegreeegree GGeneraleneral BusinessBusiness Abdur-Rahim’s history with Kennedy dates back to when he was recruited to play for him at MMurrayurray StateState UUniversityniversity ‘08‘08 Southeastern Louisiana University in 2001. MMaster’saster’s DegreeDegree OOrganizationalrganizational “I’ve enjoyed my association with Coach Kennedy over the years,” Abdur-Rahim said. “He was a great coach to play for and it has been the same working along side him as part of his staff. Coach CCommunicationommunication allows me to take a lot of responsibility within the framework of our program, and he’s allowed me to grow and mature as a coach.” HHighigh SSchoolchool “Coach is a man with great integrity and that is what most impresses me about him.” WWheelerheeler Abdur-Rahim enjoyed an outstanding career at SLU and was a large part in helping build the Lions’ program. During his SLU career from 2001-04, he was a three-time All-Southland Conference AAtlanta,tlanta, Ga.Ga. selection and led the Lions in scoring three-straight seasons and fi nished as the school’s seventh all-time scorer with 1,282 points. More importantly, he helped turn a program that had a 7-20 record BBillyilly KKennedyennedy oonn AAbdur-Rahimbdur-Rahim to one that went 20-9 and won a regular season conference championship in only three years. ““BeingBeing a formerformer playerplayer ofof mine,mine, “I believe that having a successful program is not only having great players, but also having a coaching staff that works as a cohesive unit,” Abdur-Rahim added. “Coach Prohm and Coach Chew AAmirmir understandsunderstands thethe insins andand are two of the best coaches in the business and I have been blessed to learn a lot from them.” ooutsuts ooff oourur pprogramrogram andand whatwhat wewe Abdur-Rahim earned a degree in general business in 2004 from Southeastern Louisiana and a eexpect.xpect. He’sHe’s notnot thatthat farfar rremovedemoved master’s degree in organizational communication from Murray State in 2008 ffromrom hhisis pplayinglaying daysdays andand hehe hashas A native of Atlanta, Ga., he is one of 13 children in his family. a ggoodood feelfeel forfor ourour team’steam’s needsneeds wwhetherhether it’sit’s onon thethe courtcourt oror offoff it.”it.”

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NNICKICK MMATSONATSON 11stst SSEASONEASON

Nick Matson joins the Murray State program after spending the 2009-10 season at Stanford University as a coaching intern for the men’s basketball team.

As graduate assistant manager, Matson assists the Racer program with player HHometownometown development, fi lm exchange and practice coordination, and other administrative tasks. SSacramento,acramento, Calif.Calif. He is a 2009 Graduate of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) with a degree in psychology and is pursuing a Master’s Degree at Murray State in organizational communication. BBirthdateirthdate OOctoberctober 55,, 11987987 Matson played for VMI from 2006-08, and then served as undergraduate assistant coach during the 2008-09 season.

EEducationducation In that season, Matson was part of the program that saw VMI Keydets fi nish a Big South VVMIMI ‘‘0909 Conference best 24-8 and advance to the title game of the league tournament. VMI led the DDegreeegree PPsychologysychology nation in scoring in 2008-09 and had a victory over Kentucky at Rupp Arena.

Photo Credit: Susan Mullane

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Eric Frederick joined Murray State as assistant EERICRIC FFREDERICKREDERICK athletic trainer in 1993. AASSISTANTSSISTANT AATHLETICTHLETIC TTRAINERRAINER A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Frederick’s primary duties include the day-to-day handling of MSU men’s basketball, coordinating the insurance and medical billing for the department and travel accommodations for Racer Basketball. Additionally, he is a lecturer in the Department of Wellness and Therapeutic Sciences for the CAATE approved athletic training education program and is pursuing a PhD in rehabilitation sciences at the University of Kentucky. He was a student and graduate assistant at Texas Christian University, where he earned a degree in physical education in 1992 and master’s DDR.R. RRICHARDICHARD BBLALOCKLALOCK BBECKYECKY HHUDSONUDSON degree in exercise physiology in 1995. TTEAMEAM DDOCTOROCTOR SSECRETARYECRETARY Frederick is certifi ed by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certifi cation and the state of Kentucky, a member of the KATS and the Southeast Athletic Trainers’ Association. Frederick and his wife, Christy, are the parents of a son, Elliott (7).

JJOEOE HAYNESHAYNES LLACIACI HUTSONHUTSON TTELEVISIONELEVISION SSTUDENTTUDENT SSECRETARYECRETARY SSPECIALISTPECIALIST

Nathan Young is in his third year at Murray NNATHANATHAN YYOUNGOUNG State as assistant strength and conditioning SSTRENGTHTRENGTH & CCONDITIONINGONDITIONING CCOACHOACH coach. Young came to MSU from Florida International University, where he was an assistant strength coach for four years working with the baseball, softball, women’s golf, and women’s tennis programs. He also worked a fi ve month internship at Binghamton University. As an athlete, Young is the APA New York Deadlift Record Holder for 2004, and a USAPL Florida State Record Holder for 2005. He also lettered in track and fi eld at both Liberty University and Canisius College, winning the 2000 Outdoor Big South Conference shot put title. Young played two seasons of football at Liberty at defensive tackle. TTERRANCEERRANCE MMILESILES BBRANDONRANDON WWIESEMANNIESEMANN He graduated from Liberty with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in TTEAMEAM MMANAGERANAGER TTEAMEAM MMANAGERANAGER exercise science and fi tness programming in 2003, and earned his Masters at Florida International in exercise physiology and strength conditioning in 2005. Young is certifi ed by the National Strength Conditioning Association as a strength and conditioning specialist. Nathan and his wife Sabrina have a daughter, Eva (1).

TTIMIM MACALLISTERMACALLISTER CCABOTTABOTT SIVELLSSIVELLS TTEAMEAM MMANAGERANAGER TTEAMEAM MMANAGERANAGER

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