The search is over for the men’s basketball head coaching position at The Master’s College, as Ken Sugarman has been hired to take the reins of the Mustangs.
“What an honor!” commented Sugarman. “I’m really humbled and honored to come back to my alma mater. TMC is a place where I had rich experiences as a student-athlete. It’s a place where God got a hold of my heart, and a place where I was able to make my faith my own.”
On top of being an Alumnus of The Master’s College (B.A. – Speech Communications, 1992) where he was a member of the men’s basketball team, Sugarman is no stranger to the campus as he previously served as the head basketball coach for the women’s basketball program from 1995 to 2008. During that time, his teams posted a cumulative record of 266-152 and 88-52 in GSAC play.
While at the helm of the Lady Mustangs, Sugarman served as the NAIA National Rater Oversight Committee Chair, achieved a program-best 28 wins on two separate occasions (1999, 2006), made seven NAIA National Tournament appearances, claimed two GSAC Tournament Championship titles, led the Lady Mustangs to an NAIA Top 25 ranking over 10 straight years, and coached the Lady Mustangs to an NAIA Fab Four appearance in 2006. Academically, under Sugarman’s tutelage, the Lady Mustangs posted a 100% Graduation Rate for four-year attenders.
“The Master’s College has always held a special place in my heart, and the fact that I get to return to a place where I had a fantastic experience working as the women’s basketball coach for 13 years really excites me,” further assessed Sugarman. “I’m really excited because the thought of coaching (collegiate) men’s basketball always seemed really inviting … now that the opportunity has been extended, I’m thrilled to accept. I’m looking forward to getting to know the guys, paint a vision on where we want to go and who we want to be. I can’t wait to get to know the players collectively and on an individual basis and to get a running start for next season.”
When asked about the transition from coaching women’s college basketball to men’s college basketball, Sugarman responded by saying, “Quite honestly, to me it’s coaching a game I love and returning to a place I love. But what excites me the most is a chance to mentor young men through the game of basketball and through academics at a place that holds biblical truth to a high esteem. We’re going to build leaders.”
Since voluntarily leaving the Lady Mustangs at the end of the 2008 season, Sugarman has enjoyed a successful career in sales while living in the state of Washington.
The Mustangs men’s basketball team went 19-12 (6-8 GSAC) last season, and should be able to build upon those competitive results. Under the direction of Sugarman, the Mustangs’ 2014-15 roster and game schedule will be finalized in the coming months.
“Making a schedule, shaping a roster, and creating game plans all factor into the exciting part of the process of being a head coach. I get to jump back into the world of competitive collegiate athletics with two feet. It’s an exciting time.”
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