Thanks to great sources who got HoopDirt.com out in front of this one last night (DIII DIRT)…
Eastern Nazarene College Director of Athletics Dr. Brad Zarges has announced the hiring of Scott Polsgrove as the head men’s basketball coach.
“It is with great excitement that we announce the addition of Scott Polsgrove as our new Head Men’s Basketball Coach. I have known Scott for more than 20 years and have come to appreciate his work as a coach, leader, and colleague. The opportunity to add a person with extensive experience that understands how to combine his faith in Christ with his passion for coaching is thrilling. I have no doubt that Scott will be able to continue and extend the level of excellence in our basketball program that has been established over the past seven years. We extend a warm welcome to Scott and his family to ENC and to Quincy,” said Zarges.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Polsgrove to the ENC community. His years of experience and deep Christian Faith position him well to build upon the strengths of our men’s basketball program,” stated Jeff Kirksey, Vice President for Student Development.
“My family and I are very grateful and excited for the opportunity to become part of the Eastern Nazarene College community. I look forward to working with the student-athletes and coaches at ENC to build a championship program both on and off the basketball floor,” commented Polsgrove. “It will be a privilege to work at Eastern Nazarene where we can help build Christian leaders to impact their part of the world. I want to thank Athletic Director Dr. Brad Zarges for having the confidence and trust in me to lead the men’s basketball program.”
Polsgrove returns to the collegiate level after a four-year stint as head boys’ basketball coach at Avery County High School in Newland, North Carolina. He guided the Vikings to a record of 85-33 in his four years including three consecutive conference and regular season championships. Polsgrove led Avery County to a pair of Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four berth in the North Carolina state playoffs.
A three-time Western Highlands Conference Coach of the Year, Polsgrove coached 10 players to all-conference honors and one conference Player of the Year. Under his tutelage, the Vikings won 41 conference games in a row.
Polsgrove was also named the NCBCA District 12 Coach of the Year in 2015-16 and the Best of Preps Extra Mile Coach of the Year in 2014-15.
Prior to taking the reins at Avery County High School, Polsgrove spent six years as the head men’s basketball coach at NCAA Division II Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, North Carolina. He also served as the Assistant Athletic Director at Lees-McRae for three years.
Polsgrove enjoyed a 14-year stint at King College in Bristol, Tennessee from 1992 to 2006. He led the Tornado to 190 victories, two NAIA National Tournament appearances and the 1997-98 Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference title. Polsgrove earned back-to-back Tennessee-Virginia Athletic Conference Coach of the Year accolades in 1996-97 and 1997-98.
While at King College, he served as Athletic Director from 2000 to 2004 and Associate Athletic Director from 2004 to 2006.
Polsgrove was a four-year member of the men’s basketball team at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where he graduated with a degree in Business Systems. He went on to earn his Master’s Degree from Mobile College in Mobile, Alabama while also serving as a Graduate Assistant Coach with the Rams.
The Eastern Nazarene College men’s basketball team has reached the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament in each of the past four seasons, including two trips to the Commonwealth Coast Conference semifinals.
What Others Say About Scott Polsgrove:
“Scott is an outstanding hire for ENC! He is a person of high character, has a wonderful family and he is very successful head coach. Scott’s teams will play smart, together and they will certainly compete. You will enjoy watching his teams play. Scott and his family will be outstanding additions to the ENC community.” – Chris Holtmann, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Butler University.
“Scott is someone who has devoted his life to his family and basketball. He works tirelessly and has been successful at every level. He will be a tremendous ambassador for Eastern Nazarene both on the court and off. Eastern Nazarene has hit a home run with this hire!” – Jim Fox, Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Appalachian State University.
“ENC hit a home run with the hiring of Scott Polsgrove. Scott is a proven winner on and off the court. He has one of the best basketball minds in the country on any level. The players are in for a life changing experience.” – John Shulman, Head Boys’ Basketball Coach at The McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Coach Polsgrove has a reputation for developing talent, consistently having his teams prepared for their opponents, graduating his players, and running a clean program. It doesn’t really get any better than that. He’s a high character man who instills those ethics into his ball club. Coach Polsgrove is very deserving of this opportunity. The ENC community will feel his impact very quickly.” – Richie Schueler, College Basketball Analyst for the ESPN Family of Networks and Campus Insiders.
http://athletics.enc.edu/sports/mbkb/2016-17/releases/20160602l2hurg
Photo Courtesy ENC Athletics
