Things are going to look a little different when the Calumet College of St. Joseph men’s basketball team take to the hardwood for the 2020-2021 season. For the first time in 15 years, Ryan Sexson won’t be on the sideline. Sexson announced to his team earlier this week that he is stepping down as the Head Coach of the Crimson Wave.
“I grew up here…became a man here. I have nothing but love and respect for CCSJ. I am thankful for the opportunity I was given to be a head coach at 27 years old”, stated Sexson. “But as my children get older and more active, it has become harder to feel that I am being the best I can be at everything – family, teaching, coaching.”
Sexson took over the program for the 2007-2008 after serving as an assistant coach. During his tenure, the team has amassed a 180-212 overall record and a 102-128 mark in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). In 2016-2017, Sexson led the Wave to their first ever CCAC South Division Championship, earning an automatic bid to the NAIA Division II National Tournament.
“Coach Sexson’ career at CCSJ can be summed up in some of the words his players used today as he announced the news of his resignation. Words like values, family, commitment, fresh start, opportunity, and a myriad of other intangibles that made up his 14-year career. These characteristics described him off the playing field. It is the kind of coach, mentor, and second father he was to many of his players over the years,” commented Rick Torres, Athletic Director.
During his time at the helm, Sexson coached a CCAC Player of the Year – Wilfredo Escobar (2010-2011), and two CCAC Freshmen of the Year –Escobar (2007-2008) and Core’Von Lott (2018-2019). He also had 22 student-athletes earn CCAC All-Conference honors, including seven First Team selections.
Included among the many highlights of Sexson’s career was the upset on No. 1 ranked Robert Morris University (Ill.) in 2011-2012. The Wave would go on to play for the CCAC Tournament Championship that season, only to lose to eventual NAIA National Champion, Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.).
“Herb Brooks, coach of the 1980 Olympic Gold USA Hockey team, said it best when he was entrusted to select his team to represent the USA, he was not ‘looking for the best players’, he was looking for ‘the right ones’. As our search begins for our next head coach, we will be looking for the right coach to expand on the great work and culture Coach Sexson founded and has established over the years at CCSJ. He will be missed, and difficult to replace,” Torres continued.
“I am thankful for the former players who have continued to support myself and the program over the years. I look forward to joining them in supporting the next coach,” concluded Sexson.
