Coppin State’s Epps wins triple jump at USATF national championships

EUGENE, Ore. – Coppin State's Christina Epps, a 2014 graduate, is a national champion.

A confident and consistent Epps treated the overflow crowd to an enthralling performance by soaring a career best 14.09 meters (46 feet, 2.75 inches) to win the triple jump at the USATF Outdoor Track & Field Championships at the University of Oregon’s Hayward Field Friday night.

“It actually hasn’t sunk in yet,” Epps said. “It feels so unreal. I was going through my victory lap yesterday like I can’t believe this is happening right now. I am extremely humbled and honored.”

Epps is the best triple jumper in the United States of America. How amazing is that?

Epps, who competes for the adidas Garden State Track Club, hit her 46-2 3/4 mark on her first attempt and it stood up as the best performance of the competition. April Sinkler was second in the TJ with a 45-4 1/2.  

“I feel like I am peaking at the perfect time of the season,” Epps said. “I felt great today. I think I held my hop and step extremely well today and that’s what led to my personal best for the year. I also moved off of the board well going into my jumps.”

With her victory, Epps moved one step closer to earning a sacred spot on the 2015 IAAF World Championships team set for August 22-30 in Beijing, China. She needs to clear 14.20 meters in order to officially earn a trip to China. Fortunately for Epps, her performance on Friday earned her another opportunity to reach that destination.

Epps will compete in the 2015 Pan-American games in Toronto next month. The triple jump will be held onTuesday, July 21 at 6:00 p.m. according to the schedule. For Epps, this was the ultimate triumph in an amazing and excellent career.

“I am blessed to have another opportunity to hit the mark I need for world championships,” Epps said. “This will be my first international competition, so I am excited about that.”

Earlier this year, Epps won the triple jump at the Penn Relays and the Morgan State Legacy Meet. She jumped her previous career best of 13.83 meters at the Legacy Meet. Epps credited the energy and enthusiasm of the large crowd for providing the necessary fuel for her best performance of her life.

“The crowd here gives so much support and love to everyone,” Epps said. “Every event here is amazing. The atmosphere is something you can’t beat. When you walk into the stadium, it feels like you’re at the Super Bowl. The weather was hot and it worked out great for a lot of competitors because there were tons of PRs today.”

Epps was named the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year and one of the 30 finalists for the 2014 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. During her star-studded career, Epps was an 12-time All-MEAC student-athlete in track and field and a six-time triple jump champion in the conference. She is the current Coppin State triple jump record holder. Her school standard is 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches).

Epps was selected as the Coppin State Female Presidents' Eagle Award Winner, Female Athlete of the Year and MVP in track and field for the 2013-14 season. She served as team captain from 2012-2014 and was the SAAC President from 2013-2014.

While Epps put in hours of countless work in all types of weather conditions, made sacrifices and pushed her body beyond limits she didn’t think was possible, she knows that the support of plenty of people behind the scenes made this moment possible.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank my lord and savior Jesus Christ,” Epps said. “Without him I would have none of this. My supporting cast has been amazing. My coach (Alecia Shields-Gadson) who pushed me to the next level mainly by being my sport psychologist and getting me to believe in myself like she believed in me has been nothing but a huge blessing. She is a huge part of my success and I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world. She’s the coach of the year in my book.

“My mom Beverly Epps-Blackwell is a God-fearing woman who always instilled in me to put God first and your blessings will overflow. Her constant support and prayers and support has made this process worthwhile. My weight room and plyo coaches Nick and Toya pushed me everyday even when I complained about my how my body was hurting and I didn’t want to go anymore. They have helped improve my strength and overall explosiveness in ways you wouldn’t believe especially after an ACL tear. I am extremely grateful to have them.

“My boyfriend Emeka Chiazor has always been there for me. Days I cried and felt like giving up, he wouldn’t baby me. The days I needed someone to come out and help me take out the pit or record me or take me to meets, he has always been there. My supporting cast helped make this dream come true.”

Shields-Gadson was happy to witness Epps take her performance to another level.

“We are so proud of the hard work and dedication Christina has put into her craft to become a national champion,” Shields-Gadson said. “We give all glory to God for helping her performance tonight.”

Van Horn and Smith named to College Sports Madness All-MEAC team

BALTIMORE – Postseason recognition continues to roll in for Coppin State senior Candice Van Horn and junior Danielle Smith as both players were selected to the College Sports Madness All Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) softball teams over the weekend.

Van Horn earned CSM first team honors for the second straight season. Smith was named to the second team as a second baseman. Each player was named to the All-MEAC first-team last week.

It’s been a big week for Van Horn, who named to the 2015 Capital One Academic All-District ® II Softball Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). As a first team selection, Van Horn now becomes a candidate for the Academic All-America team.

Playing multiple positions this season for Coppin State and excelling everywhere, Van Horn was selected as the first team utility player.

Van Horn finished the season with a .400 batting average. It was the second consecutive year that Van Horn enjoyed a batting average at least .400. She also won four games as a pitcher, including two last weekend to help the Eagles win a series against crosstown rival Morgan State. Van Horn finished the regular season sixth in the MEAC in batting average and third in doubles with 11. She had 36 hits and a team best 19 runs batted in. Van Horn also hit four home runs including a grand slam against Winthrop.

For her career, Van Horn played in 136 games and tallied 120 hits, scored 98 runs, drove in 59 runs, had 26 doubles, slugged 14 homeruns and collected 29 multi-hit games.

Smith led Coppin State with 37 hits and five home runs. She ended the season with a .359 batting average. Smith enjoyed a 16-game hitting streak late in the season in which she hit over .500 during her torrid stretch. Two of her five home runs led off games (USC-Upstate and Drexel). Smith had 11 multi-hit games this season, including a pair of three-hit efforts against Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware State.

Smith ended March on fire by recording seven hits during a three-game stretch. She finished the regular season strong by collecting five hits during the Eagles three-game series against Morgan State.

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Coppin State's Daniel named ECAC Division I South Athlete of the Week

Daniel named ECAC Division I South Athlete of the Week

BALTIMORE – Coppin State University junior high jumper Deandra Daniel was named the Corvias Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division I South Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week.

It’s the second time this season Daniel was named ECAC Division I South Athlete of the Week. This is Daniel’s second Athlete of the Week Award in less than 24 hours. She was named MEAC Field Athlete of the Week on Tuesday.

Daniel won the high jump at the University of Delaware Open. The five-time reigning MEAC high jump champion and Indoor Track and Field All-American soared a season-best 1.80 meters (5.91 feet) to claim victory in the event. She has the best mark in the event of any MEAC student-athlete. The CSU indoor and outdoor school record holder has sailed higher each week as she gears up for the Penn Relays, conference championships and beyond.

Both of Coppin State’s track and field teams will return to action Saturday when they compete at the Morgan State Legacy Meet.

Fourteen Coppin State indoor track and field student-athletes named to the MEAC All-Academic Team

BALTIMORE – Fourteen Coppin State indoor track and field student-athletes were named to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Academic team. Overall, 193 student-athletes were honored from the conference's 13 institutions who achieved academic success during the 2013-2014 academic school year.

Representing Coppin State were Melissa Caddle-Hope, Anster Charles, Kester Chase, Haysean Cowie-Clarke, Deandra Daniel, Jeremy Dorsey, Alethia Edwards, Miriam Ekwuru, Michael James, Spencer Johnson, Kesha Medas-King, Imhotep Simba, Rohan Stewart and Kerrone White.

Sophomore, junior and senior student-athletes with a 3.0 or better cumulative grade point average as well as transfer student-athletes who have been in residence at the institution for at least one year are eligible for All-Academic accolades.

“I want to congratulate our track and field student-athletes, who maintained a 3.0 or better grade point average, during the 2013-14 academic year,” said Commissioner Dennis E. Thomas. “In addition to acknowledging the accomplishments of these student-athletes, I would also like to thank the athletic academic support staff, faculty and coaches in supporting their student-athletes academic success.”

The Coppin State men's and women's indoor track and field teams compete at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships beginning Thursday and concluding Thursday at Prince George’s County Learning and Recreation Complex in Landover, Md.
 
Competition will begin on Thursday at 1 p.m. with the men's heptathlon followed by the women's 5,000m and women's long jump at 3:15 p.m.  The day continues with the men's 5,000m and semi-finals of the men's and women's 200m races. Day one concludes with the men's long jump final.

The championships continue Friday, February 13, with the men's heptathlon at 9 a.m. Other field events on Friday's slate include the women's pentathlon, men's and women's high jump, and men's and women's weight throw. The student-athletes return to the track for the semifinals in the men's and women's 60m hurdles, 60m dash and 400m dash. The day closes out with the men's and women's distance medleys.

The competition concludes on Saturday, beginning at 9:30 a.m., with the women's shot put, men's and women's pole vault, and the men's and women's triple jump. Running events begin at 1 p.m. with the women's mile run.  Rounding out the afternoon's events will be the men's and women's 4x400m relay race at 3:25 p.m. 

Volleyball student-athlete Jackson named Miss Academic of Summer Academic Success Academy

BALTIMORE – Freshman Bailee Jackson (Ames, IA/Ames Central) shined during the Coppin State Summer Academic Success Academy. The incoming volleyball student-athlete achieved one of the highest honors during the rigorous summer program by being named Miss Academic of SASA. Jackson had the highest GPA of the program with straight A's.

“It’s nice to be recognized by somebody else for my hard work,” Jackson said. “I was surprised when I learned of the award because I didn’t know it was going to happen. I focused a lot on my academics and taking advantage of the opportunity I had. The program was really good. Earning seven credits is definitely helpful for the fall.”

Jackson along with incoming Coppin State student-athletes Blake Simpson (men’s basketball), Candice Beverly (women’s basketball), Oluwaseun Adeniji (women’s basketball) and D’ajahnae Smith (women’s basketball) was fortunate to participate in the SASA program this past summer.

A comprehensive, four-week summer residential program, SASA is designed to help incoming first-year students make the transition from high school to college while earning college credits. SASA students complete college courses, attend college success workshops and tutoring, and participate in social and leadership activities.

This highly structured experience allowed freshmen students to experience the expectations and rigors of college prior to the fall term. Students connected with faculty, staff and peer mentors who guided them through their transition. The program provided first-year students an introduction to the academic, social, and recreational resources of the campus community.

“I had never been on Coppin State’s campus for a long period of time,” Jackson said. “Knowing where to go was really advantageous for me. It was a really nice program and I liked being a part of it.”

Jackson took three courses: Technology 101, Math 110 and Freshman Seminar. Of course, when Jackson returns to campus, she’ll be trying to help the Eagle volleyball squad build off of the momentum generated by their history-making 2013 when they advanced to the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship match, won a program-record 15 games and set a school standard with eight conference triumphs.

A 5 foot, 9 inch outside hitter, Jackson is joining a strong Coppin State team that returns 11 key performers from last year’s team including All-MEAC selections Gabrielle Otero, Kandace Thomas and Cindy Okpegbue. The Eagles won a school record 15 matches last season and advanced to the MEAC championship match. In addition Coppin State also enjoyed an eight-match home winning streak.

Under third-year coach Ashley Preston; the Eagles have become one of the best volleyball programs in the MEAC. Coppin State begins its season on Friday, Aug. 29 against New Jersey Institute of Technology in the La Salle University tournament beginning at 10 a.m. in Philadelphia.

Jackson is no stranger to success as she enjoyed a distinguished senior season at Iowa’s Ames High. She was named to the Iowa Class 5A honorable mention all-state team as well as Class 5A west district team by the Iowa Girls’ Volleyball Coaches Association. Jackson averaged 3.23 kills and 3.83 digs per set in 2013 and recorded 58 aces.

“Bailee was a great student in high school and her continuing to excel in college is great to see,” Preston said. “When kids are vacationing and relaxing during the summer, Bailee was here studying and taking classes, that just says a lot about the driven person she is and I am happy to have her on my team.”

Christina Epps named MEAC Woman of the Year

BALTIMORE (July 31, 2014) – Coppin State University’s Christina Epps (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) was named the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Woman of the Year, the conference announced today.  Epps will be honored during a special on-campus event to be announced at a later time.

The award, selected annually by the MEAC Senior Woman Administrators, celebrates the achievements of senior female student-athletes who have excelled in academic, athletics, service and leadership.

Epps is the first Coppin State University female student-athlete to be named MEAC Woman of the Year.   

“I am extremely blessed and honored to represent Coppin State,” Epps said. “Being named the MEAC Woman of the Year is very humbling. I always look back and realize how truly blessed I am. God has given me the talent. I am really proud of myself, but I know there’s more that I want to accomplish.”

Epps was a four-time All-MEAC student-athlete in track and field and is a six-time triple jump champion in the conference.  She is the current Coppin State triple jump record holder. Her school standard is 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches), which was established by finishing third overall at the NCAA Division I East Regional Outdoor Preliminary Championships.  

Epps was selected as the Coppin State Female Presidents’ Eagle Award Winner, Female Athlete of the Year and MVP in track and field this past season.  She served as team captain from 2012-2014 and was the SAAC President from 2013-2014. 

She competed at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon and the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California last month. Epps earned indoor All-American honors after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships and she finished sixth at the U.S. Senior National Championships.

“This is a tremendous honor that has capped off a great collegiate career,” Coppin State Deputy Athletics Director, Senior Woman Administrator and head women’s track and field coach Alecia Shields-Gadson said. “She has been the epitome of student and athlete. She has made Coppin State and the MEAC proud. As she moves on to her post collegiate career, look for more accolades to come.”

Epps graduated in 2014 with a 3.30 grade point average in Psychology.  She amassed many academic accomplishments before departing CSU including the Dean’s List four straight years, induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society and the Psi Chi International Honor Society.  She was also selected as a USTFCCCA Academic All-American in 2011, 2012 and 2014 and selected to the MEAC Commissioner’s Academic Team for four straight years. 

“The MEAC family congratulates Coppin State’s Christina Epps for receiving the honor of Woman of the Year,” said MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas.  “Throughout her collegiate career Miss Epps has exemplified academic and athletic excellence and has displayed an impressive resume of service and leadership for Coppin State and the MEAC.  Further her commitment to her community should be applauded and valued. We salute Miss Epps and support her efforts of representing the MEAC in the NCAA Woman of the Year process.”

Off the track, Epps volunteered with Windsor Hills Elementary/Middle School, Bare Your Chest for Breast Cancer, Chris Canty Foundation, Hash Tag Lunchbag, Samuel Ogle Middle School, Druid Hill Parks and Recreation just last year.  She has also contributed her time to the Special Olympics Association Track Meet (2010-11) and the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Elementary Middle School Annual 5k Fun Run and Walk (2010). 

Epps will represent the MEAC as its nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award.  The NCAA established the Woman of the Year Award in 1991 to celebrate the achievements of women in intercollegiate athletics.  Now in its 24th year, the award is unique because it recognizes not only the athletic achievements of outstanding young women, but also their academic achievements, community service and leadership.

Maryland Eastern Shore senior bowler Mega Buja was the 2014 MEAC Woman of the Year runner-up.

“There are many people who are responsible for helping me achieve this honor,” Epps said. “I want to thank God, my mom, and my brother for introducing to track. My high school coaches who were really patient with me and of course coach Shields. She helped me grow as a woman and made me a better track and field athlete. In addition, I am appreciative of all of the support from my friends and teammates who have always been there for me.”

MEAC Woman of the Year Honorees
2006       Renecia Lovelace, North Carolina A&T (Softball)
2007       Courtney Smiley, Howard (Basketball)
2008       Jessica Worsley, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)
2009       Loreal Smith, North Carolina A&T (Track and Field)
2010       Kalyn Washburn, Delaware State (Bowling)
2011       Kristina Frahm, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)
2012       Jazmyne Hefflefinger, Delaware State  (Bowling)

2013       T’nia Falbo, Maryland Eastern Shore (Bowling)

2014       Christina Epps, Coppin State (Track and Field)

Three Coppin State student-athletes earn USTFCCCA All-Academic honors

BALTIMORE – Coppin State student-athletes Christina Epps, Deandra Daniel and Rosen Daniel earned United States Track & Field Cross-Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic honors for their combined academic and athletic accomplishments during the 2013-14 year.


All three student-athletes earned All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) honors and participated in the NCAA Division I East Regional Outdoor Track and Field Preliminary Championships in Jacksonville in May.



Epps, who completed her first year of graduate school, competed at the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Championships at the University of Oregon and the USATF Outdoor Championships in Sacramento, California last month. Epps set a school record of 13.40 meters (43 feet, 11.75 inches) in finishing third overall at the NCAA Division I East Regional Preliminary Championships.



Epps won the MEAC and ECAC triple jump championships in both events, earned indoor All-American honors after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships and finished sixth at the U.S. Senior National Championships.



A sophomore business major, Deandra Daniel was named to the Trinidad and Tobago Commonwealth Games Association (TTCGA)/Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) national team. Daniel soared a school record 1.83 meters in winning the high jump at the Morgan State Legacy Meet on April 18.



She won the MEAC indoor and outdoor high jump championships for the second straight year. Her effort of 1.82 meters at the outdoor championship meet was a meet record.



Rosen Daniel advanced to the semifinals of the 400-meter dash at the NCAA Division I Track and Field Outdoor Preliminary Championships in Jacksonville. He set the indoor school record in the 400-meter dash (46.75) seconds at the ECAC/IC4A Championships in Boston. In that meet, Daniel finished second in the 400 and helped the 4 x 4 place third in the event.



During the outdoor season, Rosen set a school record in placing fourth in the 200-meter dash (20.97 seconds) at the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships. He is a member of the school record 4x1 and 4x2 relay teams. He also earned All-MEAC honors after helping the 4x4 relay team finish second.


Including the Scholar Athletes of the Year, a total of 727 women from 193 institutions earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for their combined academic and athletic accomplishments. A total of 496 men from 165 institutions earned USTFCCCA All-Academic honors for their combined academic and athletic accomplishments.



To qualify for the USTFCCCA All-Academic Track and Field Team, the student-athlete must have compiled a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and have met at least one of the following athletic standards.



For the indoor season, a student-athlete must have finished the regular season ranked in the national top 96 in an individual event or ranked in the national top 48 (collective listing) in a relay event on the official NCAA POP list provided by TFRRS.org. For the outdoor season, a student-athlete must have participated in any round of the NCAA Division I Championships (including preliminary rounds).

Lewis added to Coppin State’s men’s basketball staff as an assistant coach

BALTIMORE --- With the announcement that Doug Lewis will join Coppin State as an assistant coach, first-year head men’s basketball coach Michael Grant has added another familiar face to be part of his staff.

Lewis, who coached with Grant at Central State University as an associate head coach for five years, comes to Baltimore from the University of Milwaukee-Wisconsin where he worked during the 2013-14 season as the men’s basketball Director of Player and Community Development.

Lewis was a head coach at Division II institutions Central State (Ohio) and Northern Michigan where he compiled a 10-year overall coaching mark of 148-116.

Lewis experienced his greatest success as a head coach at Central State, where led his team to three 20-win seasons. The Maurauders won 22 games and participated in the NCAA Division II tournament in 2009-10. His 2008-09 and 2007-08 squads won Independent Athletic Association titles, posting marks of 19-8 and 21-4, respectively.

In 2008 and 2009, Lewis was named the Independent Athletic Association Coach of the Year. In 2006-07, Central went 22-5 and was the runner-up in the NCAA Division II National Independent Tournament.

Lewis became head men’s basketball coach at Central State in May of 2003 after a five-year stint as an associate head coach. He joined the Marauder coaching staff in July of 1998. As an associate head coach, he helped the Marauders to an 81-59 record in five seasons under Grant.

Prior to joining Central State, Lewis served as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, from 1993-1998. He played an important role that landed the best recruiting class for Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the Midwestern Collegiate Conference for the 1996-97 season.

Lewis also served as an assistant coach for Washington High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin under legendary coach James Gordon, who coached NBA player Latrell Sprewell. That year Washington High School won the 1993 Division I - Wisconsin High School State Basketball Championship. He was also a player on the King High School state championship teams in the 1980s.

Lewis played for Missouri State University where he helped it win consecutive Mid-Continent Conference championships and participate in the NCAA Division I tournament in 1988 and 1989. He was named Mid-Continent Conference newcomer of the year in 1987 and honorable mention all-conference in 1989.

During his playing days at Mesa Community College from 1985-87, Lewis was ranked as one of the five best point guards in the nation among junior college players. He also helped Mesa win the Arizona Conference championship and finish third in the National Junior College Division I tournament.  In each of his two years at Mesa, Lewis was an all-conference & all-region player both years. 

Born in South Bend, Indiana and raised in Milwaukee, Lewis is married to Cheryl Lewis and has two daughters (Danielle 20, & Chelsea 12).

Grant named Coppin State head men’s basketball coach

 

BALTIMORE – Coppin State University has named Michael Grant as its new head men’s basketball coach. He is Coppin State’s sixth head men’s basketball coach since 1964.

Grant succeeds Ronald “Fang” Mitchell, who served as the men’s basketball coach for 28 years at Coppin State.

A fifteen-year veteran, who has won 56 percent of his games, Grant comes to Coppin State from Division II Stillman College, where he was the head coach for the last six years., Grant was also the head coach from 2003-05 at Southern University (La.) where he replaced the legendary Ben Jobe.

“There are two things that we were looking for in our men’s basketball coach,” Coppin State president Mortimer Neufville said. “The graduation rate and an ability to build programs. He’s graduated over 80 percent of his student-athletes and everywhere he has been, he has won.”

At the conclusion of the 2013-14 campaign, Grant amassed a six-year school record of 100-73. In 2012-13, the Tigers finished the season with an 18-10 overall mark and a 12-5 SIAC record. Center Torrean Walker ranked first in the SIAC and seventh in Division II in blocked shots per game while guard Jeffrey Wherry finished first in the conference in assist-to-turnover ratio. The Tigers led the SIAC in assists, blocked shots, scoring offense and three-pointers made per game.

“This was another opportunity for me to build a program,” Grant said. “I am excited to be here and looking forward to playing an exciting brand of basketball. The way we play. There will be nobody in this conference that will be able to play the way I play. We’re going to get up and down the floor. We’re going to run and press. Every team that I’ve coached over the last 15 years, we’ve led the conference in scoring. Our goals are to make sure we’re scoring over 80 points per game and leading the conference in rebounding and steals.”

During the 2010-11 season, he guided Stillman to a 24-8 overall mark, a 19-5 conference record, second place in the SIAC and to the regional final of the Division II South Regional. The Tigers finished the season eighth in the NCAA with three-pointers made (9.4 per game) and blocked shots (4.2 per outing).

“We believe he’s the best fit for our program,” Coppin State Director of Athletics Derrick Ramsey said. “He has experience replacing a legendary coach, which is important. We’re excited to have coach Grant join the Coppin State family.”

Credited by former players as a “disciplinarian,” Grant’s coaching genius was first established at NAIA-turned-Division II member Central State (Ohio) University. In seven seasons, Grant led the Marauders to three 20-win campaigns and only one losing season—his first in 1996-97. During the 1999-00 season, Grant led Central State to the program’s first victory in the NAIA National Tournament since 1979. By the end of his seven-year tenure at the school, Grant had become only the fourth Central State coach to have won more than 100 games in his career with the school.

Grant began his coaching career at his alma mater, Malone College in Ohio, where he first studied under Hal Smith as a student assistant. Grant then served on Smith’s staff in 1985 as a full-time assistant before heading to the University of Michigan as a graduate assistant where he helped coach and develop his younger brother Gary Grant, who eventually became the Big Ten Player of the Year in 1988. Gary Grant was the 14th overall player chosen in the 1988 NBA draft.

Grant also coached at Kentucky State University, Alleghany College, Cleveland State University, and the University of Toledo.

The Eagles will begin their season in November. A complete 2014-15 men’s basketball schedule will be released at a later date. One of Grant’s biggest goals is to recruit Baltimore and keep the talent within city limits.

“We have to show some Baltimore some love,” Grant said. “We have to be able to make sure we take of home. Once we get one, the rest will follow. I am looking forward to having an opportunity to go out in the community and meeting all of the high school coaches and building Coppin State starting at home first.”

Coppin State Names New HeadMen's Basketball Press Conference Reminder

Grant named Coppin State head men’s basketball coach

BALTIMORE – Coppin State University has named Michael Grant as its new head men’s basketball coach. The sixth head men’s basketball coach in program history will be introduced at a press conference beginning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 in the Talon Center Atrium located on the second floor.

A fifteen-year veteran, who has won 56 percent of his games, Grant comes to Coppin State from Division II Stillman College, where he was the head coach for the last six years. Grant was also the head coach from 2003-05 at Southern University (La.) where he replaced the legendary Ben Jobe. At the conclusion of the 2013-14 campaign, Grant amassed a six-year school record of 100-73.