Bryant & Stratton College-Wisconsin athletics has hired Austin Hawkins as its new head men’s basketball coach for its NJCAA Division II scholarship offering program.
The Auburndale, WI native joined the Bobcats coaching staff in spring 2019 serving as the top assistant coach under then head coach Matt Majkrzak, who recently accepted the head coaching position at Northern Michigan University (NCAA Division II).
Prior to Bryant & Stratton, Hawkins was the head assistant coach at Quincy University (NCAA DII) from 2017-18. Hawkins also was a graduate assistant at Winona State University (NCAA DII) in 2017 and an undergraduate assistant at Concordia College (Moorhead, MN, NCAA DIII) in 2016-17. He also coached the AAU Minnesota Comets from 2013-16.
“First I would like to thank our president and athletic director, Greg Brandner and the search committee for the opportunity to lead this program,” Hawkins said. “I am excited to build off coach Majkrzak’s success here and look to take the program to new heights. Our plan is to firmly establish Bryant & Stratton as the premier two-year option for kids in Wisconsin and the surrounding Midwest. We want our kids to compete for championships in life & basketball. Our staff will continue to develop our kids publicly and privately as people, students and basketball players differently than everybody else.”
“Four-year scholarship programs are going to love our kids,” Hawkins added. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be a servant leader for our student-athletes and I can’t wait to get started.”
Hawkins will be enhancing a program that finished last season ranked #17 in the nation with a 25-8 overall record (19-3 in Region IV) and a first-ever Region IV championship appearance.
“Austin brings so much energy and intensity to Bryant & Stratton every day,” Athletic Director Greg Brandner said. “We’re excited to bring Austin’s energy and passion to the court. Our basketball programs have made tremendous strides in a short time and we feel our 2019-20 men’s team has the potential to build off last season and make a run at the national tournament under Austin’s leadership.”
Under legendary head coach Rich Glas, Hawkins played basketball at Concordia College (NCAA DIII) in Moorhead, MN earning a bachelor’s degree in communication. Hawkins is pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Winona State.
Hawkins marks as the third head coach in Bryant & Stratton history.
Bryant & Stratton College launched NJCAA athletics in 2016 starting with men’s and women’s basketball and has expanded their department to 14 athletic programs.
http://wisconsin.bscbobcats.com/sports/mbkb/2018-19/releases/20190708gt3m5g
