Tues., May 4, 2010

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Patience and persistence has paid off for Chad LaCross.

USF Director of Athletics Mark A. Pope announced today that LaCross, 31, has been selected as the next University of Saint Francis men’s basketball coach.

LaCross has served as USF associate head coach the last two seasons and completed his seventh season as either an associate or assistant coach. He has served as USF head men’s and women’s golf coach the past five years and started the women’s program. He will relinquish his duties as head golf coach.

“I’m excited about this tremendous opportunity,” LaCross said. “There’s no other place I’d rather be. We’ve got a great group of players returning and we’re looking forward to another great season in 2010-11.

“I’d like to thank coach (Jeff) Rekeweg for giving me the opportunity and responsibility the last several years to prepare me for this step in my career. I have learned from Rek as well assistant coach Gay Martin. I’d also like to thank USF President Sister Elise (Kriss), Provost Rolf Daniel and the Leadership Team for their trust and confidence in me to lead the USF basketball program.”

"Whenever a coaching change occurs, my first inquiry is to determine whether the program is going in the right direction. In the case of USF Men's Basketball, there is no doubt that this program is going in exactly the right direction - both on and off the court,” Pope emphasized.

“Not only did this team win the National Championship, but they earned a 3.0 GPA and devoted countless hours to community activities and charities,” Pope added. “Chad LaCross is a vital part of this team, having devoted seven years to our program, the last two as Associate Head Coach. Chad will continue the excellence that defines USF Men's Basketball."

LaCross replaces Jeff Rekeweg, who led USF to the 2010 NAIA Division II National Championship as the 15th-seed. Rekeweg resigned in April to accept the head coach position at Northwood University (NCAA Division II) in Midland, Mich.

LaCross was a two-time, first-team NAIA All-American at Tri-State University (now Trine University), left as the TSU career scoring leader (2,650 points) and is a member of the TSU/TU Athletic Hall of Fame, inducted in September 2006. He was 2000-01 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Player of the Year after leading NAIA Division II in scoring and averaging a double-double (points and rebounds). In 33 games, LaCross scored 901 points averaging 27.3 points per game including a school-record 51 against Indiana Tech in the WHAC Tournament.

After earning his degree in sports and recreation, he played professional basketball for the Dodge City Legend in the United States Basketball League and in Mexico.

A 1997 East Noble High School graduate (Kendallville, IN), LaCross was a member of the 1997 Indiana All-Star Team. He was named MVP in the Journal-Gazette Nancy Rehm Border Wars Game. He scored 492 points his senior season at East Noble, the third best single-season in Knights’ history. He finished with 892 career points, No. 10 on the ENHS career list. And the best was yet to come.

Chad resides in Fort Wayne with his wife Erin, daughter, Ava, and new son, Bryce.

Quick Facts – Chad LaCross

Birthdate: March 25, 1979

Hometown: Sturgis, Mich.

Parents: Joni Jenkins, Denny LaCross

Siblings: Summer Bontrager, Steve Oesch

Wife: Erin Children: Ava, Bryce.

College Head Coach: Dick Hack

High School Head Coach: Marty Johnson

USF Head Basketball Coaches – Men

No. Head Coach Years W-L

1. Terry Coonan 1964-65 / 1973-74 62-179

2. Dave Fulkerson 1974-75 / 1976-77 32-54

3. Jim Holstein 1977-78 / 1991-92 161-221

4. John Williams 1992-93 / 1995-96 60-63

5. Jeff Rekeweg 1996-97 / 2009-10 265-198

6. Chad LaCross 2010-11 /

-- GO USF --