LANCASTER – University of Antelope Valley this week announced the hiring of Brad Rogers as the first men’s basketball head coach at the university. Rogers comes to the Pioneers after spending the last three years working as the assistant men’s basketball coach and assistant athletic director at Arizona Christian University (ACU).
Rogers was instrumental in helping the ACU Firestorm build a nationally recognized program in the Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The Firestorm recorded back-to-back 20-plus win seasons and defeated 13 ranked opponents in three years. Coach Rogers recruited and coached three GSAC All-Conference players and one NAIA All-American. The ACU Firestorm is currently ranked 19th in the country with an 8-3 record.
“Brad’s success in helping build ACU into a top NAIA program made him the perfect fit to fill the position as UAV’s first head basketball coach,” stated UAV’s Director of Athletics, Jeff Bussell. “Coach Rogers has a strong record of success on the court, in the classroom and in the community. He brings great enthusiasm and commitment to developing his student-athletes into men of strong character.”
“With three trips to the NAIA National Tournament in the last five years, Brad understands what it takes to compete on a national level and has a great vision for the UAV basketball program,” Bussell continued. “We are very fortunate to have Brad and his wife, Alyce, join the UAV family and Antelope Valley community.”
Rogers started his coaching career at Sierra Community College, where he spent three seasons as an assistant coach. He helped guide the Wolverines to a Northern California playoff berth in 2006-07 and helped move numerous players to the D1, D2 and NAIA level. He was also responsible for recruiting the eight players who were named Big 8 All-Conference during his time there, and he takes special pride in the fact that 98% of players in the program earned their associate’s degrees and transferred to four-year colleges and universities.
“The UAV faculty and coaching staff are especially proud to announce the appointment of Rogers to the head coach position based on his proven coaching successes and his commitment to education,” stated UAV President Marco Johnson. “A successful UAV student-athletic must also pursue academic success.”
Coach Rogers stated, “I am thrilled and blessed to be a part of the excitement surrounding the University of Antelope Valley and to direct the men’s basketball program in its inaugural season. I am thankful that Jeff Bussell and President Marco Johnson have given me a unique and challenging opportunity to build the foundation for a competitive and successful program in the Cal Pac conference and NAIA D2.”
UAV’s inaugural basketball season is set to begin this fall. Coach Rogers will transition from Arizona to the Antelope Valley this month to begin employment at UAV.
The Pioneers are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and will enter the California Pacific Conference (Cal Pac) effective 2015-16 season.
For recruiting information, contact Coach Rogers at brad.rogers@uav.edu.
Radio Interview with UAV men’s basketball coach, Brad Rogers
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Previous related story: UAV adding men’s basketball
Mike says
UAV is headed in the right direction and is making a positive impact in the AV. I applaud the efforts by a local resident and appreciate what is offered and available for the young and up and coming future of the AV. Good luck Coach Rogers bring some wins and titles here to the valley.
Ashley says
UAV is the worst school around and I advise NO ONE ever under any circumstances to go to that school. They are just money hungry and don’t care about you or your education.
They want the money and that’s it, if you have to get into school for an education for GAIN or whatever go to Charter College they are on Division and K right across the railroad tracks from UAV and they actually care about you there.
The remember your name, your story, and they care about you and treat you like family. The don’t have a fancy gym and all these sports because that’s not what they are in business for they are in business of education and they will help you find work.
Shane Falco says
They offer an education for people who want an education. Many people enrolling in a tech college have already created many problems in their lives or dropped out of school and now think they want a career. The problem is that many get financial aid to go to UAV or Charter and don’t realize they need to put in work.
Old lazy habits and personal drama kick back in and the student can’t get their act together and get the work done. When they drop out or fail the classes, suddenly UAV is a rip-off. UAV should have given them a fifth or sixth chance, or refunded their money, or lowered the requirements so they passed, or called them to tell them they had class every day.
Ashley says
I went there and I graduated with a 3.6 GPA and I called and asked for assistance for their assistance with a job search and I got nothing except a few emails from postings they found on Craigslist (I can do that myself).
I did find a job no thanks to them and not in the field I studied because they oversell the employment “opportunities” really they are just taking poor underprivileged individuals who want to try and make a change and exploit them.
I have a friend who went to Charter College and they assisted her with finding a job in the field she studied. She is happy and growing in her career. That is how a vocational school be.