The Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics announced that Kelvin Bigelow, who served as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball program for the last seven seasons, has been elevated to the position of Head Coach.
Bigelow brings over 40 years of basketball playing experience, as well as over 13 years of basketball coaching experience, with him to the position. Following the announcement, Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy spoke about Bigelow’s promotion.
“Kelvin brings a passion for the game of basketball, as well as a familiarity with our basketball program, and Medgar Evers College’s culture as a whole,” Murphy said. “He is a hard-working, competitive individual who is looking forward to implementing his style of coaching, and we’re very excited to see him represent this program and bring his basketball vision to life.”
Prior to joining the Cougars staff, Bigelow served as an assistant at CUNYAC rival CCNY for head coach Tom Green, his former coach at FDU. While at City College, the Beavers saw vast improvement on an annual basis, and CCNY qualified for the conference championship game during the 2016-2017 campaign. Now as the Head Coach of the Cougars, Bigelow is grateful and eager to get to work.
“I would like to thank the Director of Athletics, Chetara Murphy, as well as all members of the institution who have chosen me as the individual to take over this program,” Bigelow said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to get an opportunity to lead a program. Now as a Head Coach for the first time, I’m eager to see if my extensive experience in the game of basketball can transition into the head coaching world. I welcome the challenge, and I look forward to working with the student-athletes and the administration. My goal on a daily basis will be to get the best out of my student-athletes, both in the classroom, and on the court.”
Bigelow has had two excellent basketball minds to learn from prior to his appointment, including former FDU and CCNY Head Coach Tom Green, and Brian Nigro, who enjoyed success at Mount Saint Vincent before serving as the Head Coach of the Cougars for the past seven seasons.
“One thing about both Tom Green and Brian Nigro is that they both have amazing dedication to their coaching crafts,” Bigelow said. “They’re both proven winners, and I learned a tremendous amount from both of them over the past 13 years. I will forever be thankful for the experience I gained serving as their assistants.”
As a player for FDU from 1984-1988, under Tom Green, Bigelow played a big role in helping his team capture two Northeast Conference titles and earn a berth in the NCAA Division I tournament in 1985 and 1988. The 1985 team was inducted in to the FDU Athletics Hall of Fame.
