Southern Virginia University Vice President and Director of Athletics Jason Lamb today announced that Adam Wardenburg will become the Knights next head men’s basketball coach effective immediately.
Wardenburg, who joined Southern Virginia last season as the head women’s basketball coach and led the program to its best season to date, replaces Greg Winslow at the helm of the men’s basketball program. Winslow went 4-22 and 0-14 in the Capital Athletic Conference during his lone season as the Knights head coach.
“After deciding to make a leadership change in men’s basketball, Coach Wardenburg approached me about this opportunity,” explained Lamb. “Coach Wardenburg’s accomplishments with the women’s program last season combined with his commitment to our University quickly made him the leading candidate in our search for a new head men’s coach.
“Last season’s successes opened up many opportunities for Coach Wardenburg,” continued Lamb. “We’re fortunate that he loves Southern Virginia University, first and foremost, and that he expressed a strong desire to remain a Knight and share his efforts, talents, and leadership with the men’s basketball program. We’re also lucky to have quickly found an excellent coach and accomplished alumna in Lynette Schroeder to replace Adam as head women’s coach.”
Wardenburg was recently named 2018-19 Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year after leading Southern Virginia’s women’s team to a program-best 21-6 record including a 10-4 record in CAC play last season. In his first and only season with the program, Wardenburg doubled the team’s CAC wins from the previous season and finished just one victory shy of doubling overall wins.
Replacing Wardenburg as the head women’s basketball coach is Lynette Schroeder—an experienced coach and one of the most accomplished student-athletes in the history of Southern Virginia athletics. Schroeder played 111 games for the Knights from 2004-08 earning USCAA All-American honors in each of her four seasons. She still holds the program record for career three-pointers (251) and ranks second in program history for career points (1,796).
Following her decorated playing career, Schroeder experienced tremendous success as the head women’s basketball coach at Skyline High School in Millcreek, Utah, where she tallied a 112-43 overall record (72.3 winning percentage) including five region championships, three state championship appearances, and the 2017 State Championship Title. Last season, Schroeder joined the coaching staff at Westminster College and helped the Griffins to a 21-6 overall record and the school’s first NCAA Division II National Tournament appearance.
“This was an extremely tough and emotional decision for me and my family,” explained Wardenburg. “I absolutely loved coaching the women’s team last season and sharing in the successes of that special group of players—I love every one of them.
“Ultimately, after a lot of prayer and discussions with my family and mentors, I felt this was the right next step for my career and development as a coach,” continued Wardenburg. “As difficult as it is to step away from what we built last season on the women’s side, I’m excited to tackle a new challenge and opportunity to build a basketball program from the ground up.
“I also would not have made this decision without full confidence in Coach Schroeder and her ability to continue building on what we started last season with the women’s team,” Wardenburg said. “She is the right person to take things to the next level.”
Prior to Southern Virginia, the Orem, Utah, native had successful stints at the NCAA Division I and junior college levels. Most recently, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the women’s basketball program at Utah Valley University where he helped the Wolverines to consecutive appearances in the WAC Tournament semifinals for the first time in program history.
Before moving to UVU, Wardenburg spent the 2013-14 season on the College of Southern Idaho coaching staff where he helped the women’s basketball team to a 29-4 record, a Region 18 Tournament Title, and a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament. Prior to CSI, Wardenburg served as the Director of Basketball Operations for the Utah State University women’s team.
“I would like to thank President Wilcox and Jason Lamb for this opportunity,” said Wardenburg. “I am energized by this new challenge and excited to get to work. This team has the potential to be special and I am very excited to build a championship culture here in the men’s program.
“I love what Southern Virginia University offers to help young men and women grow and develop as student-athletes, while also providing a great education with an unbelievable atmosphere,” concluded Wardenburg.
Wardenburg becomes the third head coach of the Southern Virginia men’s basketball program in the Division III era. He earned his bachelor’s degree in human movement science from Utah State University and an MBA from Western Governor’s University.
http://athletics.svu.edu/sports/mbkb/2019-20/releases/20190517ebwfze
