Delta State University head men’s basketball coach Jim Boone announced on Wednesday that Bob Szorc has been promoted to the full-time assistant coach position.
“We are elated to have Bob as a full-time member of our coaching staff. I thought it was very important to maintain a level of continuity on our staff,” Boone said. “Bob has been involved in all aspects of our program over the past year and has done an outstanding job, while working tirelessly and making many sacrifices on our behalf, he has certainly earned this opportunity.”
During the 2014-2015 campaign, Szorc served as a graduate assistant and was actively involved in all facets of the program: recruiting, on-the-floor coaching, film breakdown, scouting, strength and conditioning, operations, and travel. Away from the court, he also assisted in the academic monitoring of the Statesmen basketball players.
Boone added, “This was a very important hire for our program, in searching for the right person, the right fit. I was looking for someone who would offer stability, a great knowledge of who we are at Delta State, someone who values that we are a ‘Player’s Program’ and that brings solid player relationships along with an enthusiastic energetic approach. Bob possesses all of these attributes and much, much more. He is going to be very successful and will continue to do a great job for DSU and our basketball program. We are very fortunate to have Bob Szorc on our staff.”
Szorc working directly with the Statesmen Perimeter Players was very instrumental in the continued development and on court successes of Devin Schmidt and LaQuavius Cotton.
Schmidt was named Daktronics First Team All-South Region, First Team All-GSC, NABC First Team All-District, All-American Honorable Mention by the DII Bulletin, and was a finalist for the prestigious Bailey Howell Trophy. Cotton was selected to participate in the 2015 ESPN State Farm Slam Dunk Contest and earned the championship belt.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to continue working for coach Boone and the Delta State University family,” Szorc said. “Being able to learn and grow under coach Boone, who is such a well-respected, detail-oriented teacher of the game, is a huge plus with the ultimate goal for the continued success of Statesmen Basketball and our outstanding winning tradition.”
Prior to arriving at Delta State University, Szorc served as a high school math teacher and basketball coach for seven years in Illinois, five as a head coach. The most recent being the head basketball coach at Wheaton Warrenville South in Wheaton, IL.
While at Wheaton Warrenville South, Szorc directed all aspects of the basketball program; including fall and spring skill development for youth, summer camps, fundraising, and the development of the feeder program. Szorc was also a driving force in the development of the annual MLK Tournament that has continued to grow exponentially each year. During his three year tenure, Szorc’s teams were always ranked among the northwest area’s leaders in Team Defense.
Prior to Wheaton Warrenville South, Szorc served as the head coach at Alleman Catholic High School in Rock Island, Ill. At Alleman Catholic, he led the program to back to back regionals, advancing to the State’s prestigious Sweet 16 in only his second year at the helm. Szorc inherited a program that was coming off a five-win season and led the Pioneers to a 10 game improvement and 15 wins in year two.
Szorc is one of three coaches in the history of the storied Western Big Six High School Basketball Conference to win back-to-back regionals in his first two years as a head coach. He began his teaching and coaching career at Marmion Academy in Aurora, IL assisting Rashon Burno who is now an assistant coach at Arizona State University.
The consummate teacher and coach, Szorc has an outstanding reputation for his ability to develop players and has worked at several of the nation’s elite summer camps, including one of the nation’s best teaching camps, the Snow Valley Basketball School in Waverly, Iowa.
Szorc completed his masters of education in administration and supervision from Delta State in 2015. He is a graduate of St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. and Benet Academy in Lisle, Ill.
http://gostatesmen.com/news/2015/7/22/MBB_0722154335.aspx
Photo Courtesy Delta State Athletics
