Rock men's basketball team members continue to succeed after graduating from SRU
Hi Rock fans. Welcome to the first Rock men's basketball blog.
In our first posting, we want to share with you three success stories on former members of our program.
Eric Murphy, our graduate assistant from 2008-09, has become one of the elite National Junior College Athletic Association assistant coaches in the country. Eric is currently an assistant coach at Wabash Valley Junior College in Illinois. Wabash Valley finished eighth in the country in NJCAA Division I basketball after a great run in their national tournament. Wabash Valley had nine players receive basketball scholarships with four players moving on to the NCAA Division I level. Eric has established himself as a national recruiter. Eric works for NJCAA legendary coach, Dan Sparks who has won over 850 games. Coach Sparks’ Wabash Valley teams have qualified for the NJCAA national tournament 15 times. Coach Sparks has coached many NBA players, including Shawn “The Matrix” Marion, Carl Landry, Tyrone Nesby, and Eric Williams.
We are all very proud of Eric’s achievements. I believe he will be at the Division I level in the near future. One of the best decisions I made when I came to SRU was to keep Eric on as our basketball GA. Eric is a tireless worker and a very good on-the court coach. His best coaching days are ahead of him.
Eric earned a Master’s of Arts degree in physical education while coaching here at The Rock. At Wabash Valley, in addition to his coaching duties, Eric is also a teaching instructor.
Bryen Spriggs spent four years at The Rock as a basketball student-athlete, GA and assistant coach and was part of our program virtually from the start of my career here. Bryen succeeded in all aspects of his SRU career. Bryen’s success and progression did not go unnoticed. Many schools were interested in Bryen before he accepted the top men’s basketball assistant coaching position at Marshalltown Community College in Iowa.
I am excited Bryen will have the opportunity to work for one of the deans of NJCAA basketball in Brynjar Brynjarsson. Brynjar has a great track record for placing his assistant coaches in NCAA Division I basketball. Bryen is a proven recruiter and coach. Working with Coach Brynjarsson will provide Bryen with the opportunity to showcase his talents and earn the opportunity to move to the Division I level. We will certainly miss Bryen at SRU. He played a significant part in the transformation of SRU men's basketball. Bryen earned both his undergraduate and graduate (criminal justice) degrees from The Rock.
Jamar Scales has accepted a position as a member of the SRU undergraduate admissions staff. Jamar will be an admissions counselor concentrating on multicultural student recruitment. He will be joining SRU from The Bradley Center in Pittsburgh, where he was a mental health therapist. Coincidentally, Jamar’s first day back at The Rock will be Monday, October 15, the first day of NCAA Division II basketball practice.
Jamar was a member of the SRU 1,000 point club who was an integral part of our 2008-09 team that finished the season with a 21-8 record.
I am happy Jamar has decided to return to SRU. I was equally excited in my first season at SRU when Jamar decided to return for his fifth year of classes and fourth year of eligibility in 2008-09. Jamar played an integral role in our 21-8 season. Jamar is a man with many talents and interests. While at SRU, he was much more than just a basketball player. He was involved in many roles on campus during his undergraduate and graduate days. It is nice that SRU recognizes his many, positive contributions.
Jamar is a 2008 SRU graduate and holds a Master’s of Science degree in social administration from Case Western Reserve University (OH). Welcome back Jamar!
We hope to see everyone at Morrow Field House this winter. We promise you will see an exciting style of championship basketball.
GO ROCK!!
Kevin Reynolds
Head Men's Basketball Coach
