Claflin University officially announced to the community its choice to continue the “winning tradition,” in the men’s and women’s basketball programs. The University named Deont’a McChester to lead the women’s program, and named Scott Monarch as head men’s basketball coach.

Coach McChester, a Flint MI, native, thanked all of the people at the university for the opportunity to become the women’s head coach at Claflin University. He mentioned the adversity he went through to get to this point in his life. “I can remember living with my mother and sleeping on the couch, and not knowing where my next meal was coming from. But I persevered and if I did not have God in my life I would not have gotten through. He thanked his mother and aunt who traveled from flint, MI for believing in him, and being here to share this moment with him.

His vision for the women’s program is the get the Lady Panthers back to their winning ways, through his 4 Cornerstones for success: 1) Everyone being committed to the program 2) Building trust in each other 3) Respect by adhering to the “Guiding Principles” of Claflin University 4) Becoming a “Family” in the truest sense of the word.

Coach McChester plans to be aggressive on the defensive end and to play fast and push the ball up the floor on offense.

He said that legendary Coach Nelson Brownlee stated, “Coaches may come and coaches may go but it doesn’t mean anything if you have not have an impact on the players.”

Dr. Tisdale addressed the supporters in the overflow room, “we believe we have chosen two coaches who will demand academic excellence and adhere to the Claflin Guiding Principles, and will continue our tradition of athletic excellence.”

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