Southern Virginia University’s head men’s basketball coach, Adam Wardenburg, who has been an integral part of Southern Virginia’s basketball program for the past five seasons, has been appointed the Women’s Basketball Associate Head Coach at Utah Valley University.
“We are so grateful for Adam’s work and dedication to our men’s and women’s teams,” stated Director of Athletics Deidra Dryden. “He has helped change the trajectory of both programs and will be missed.”
During his tenure at Southern Virginia, Coach Wardenburg has left an indelible mark on the men’s basketball program. Under his guidance, the Knights made significant strides and achieved remarkable success. During the 2022-2023 season, Coach Wardenburg led the Knights to a USA South Conference Tournament appearance, showcasing the team’s growth and competitiveness.
Throughout his coaching career, Coach Wardenburg’s dedication and expertise have been evident in the consistent improvement of his teams. He transformed the Knights’ men’s basketball program in just a few years, leading them to a 14-12 in a full turnaround season from his first year to his second. The 2021-22 season marked a pivotal moment for Southern Virginia, as they achieved their first winning season since becoming an NCAA Division III school.
Furthermore, under Coach Wardenburg’s leadership, the Knights achieved unprecedented milestones in the 2021-22 season. The team set multiple program records, including points per game, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, most threes in a season, most three-point shots made, and most assists in a season. In addition, they set a school record for wins in a season with 14, demonstrating the remarkable progress achieved under Coach Wardenburg’s guidance.
Coach Wardenburg’s impact extends beyond Southern Virginia’s men’s basketball program. In the 2018-19 season, he led the Southern Virginia University women’s basketball program to the most successful season in the program’s history since joining Division III. The Knights won an impressive 21 games, taking down nationally ranked powerhouse Christopher Newport University in the process, and finished as runners-up at the Capital Athletic Conference Championships, achieving the program’s highest-ever finish. These accomplishments earned him the well-deserved recognition of Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year.
Southern Virginia University expresses its gratitude to Coach Adam Wardenburg for his exceptional contributions to the Knights’ basketball program and the broader Southern Virginia community. The University wishes him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his coaching career at Utah Valley University.
As Southern Virginia bids farewell to Coach Wardenburg, the University will begin a national search for a new head men’s basketball coach. Southern Virginia is committed to finding a dynamic and experienced coach who will build upon the foundation laid by Coach Wardenburg and lead the Knights to new heights. The search committee will work diligently to identify and attract the most qualified candidates to continue the tradition of excellence established under Coach Wardenburg’s tenure.
