Jason Pruitt, a seasoned coach and athlete who champions players on and off the court, has been named the University of La Verne’s head woman’s basketball coach.

Pruitt, who previously served as head women’s basketball coach at the University of Antelope Valley, begins on Aug. 24.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Pruitt to the University of La Verne,” Interim Director of Athletics Scott Winterburn said. “His accomplishments in college basketball and in life are impressive and we are thrilled that he will be leading our women’s basketball program.”

He replaces former head coach Julie Shaw, who led the team for four seasons.

Pruitt has been successful both as a coach and as a former high school and college basketball player.

He led the University of Antelope Valley’s women’s basketball team to a California Pacific Conference title this year and was named CalPac Conference Coach of the Year.

Previously, he was head women’s basketball coach at Bethesda University, where he led the team to a National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association Western Region Championship, back-to-back NCCAA tournament appearances, and twice earned NCCAA Western Region Coach of the Year recognition.

He earned a master’s degree in educational technology from Nova Southeastern University in 2012 and a bachelor’s degree in mass media arts in 2003 from Clark Atlanta University.

As an athlete, he set the Kentucky State University record in 2001 for most three-pointers in a game and was named the Top Junior College Player to Watch at Mississippi Valley State University in 2000.

Pruitt spends summers as a counselor at elite summer basketball camps hosted by UCLA, Kobe Bryant, U.S. Select, and Hoop Mountain.

“I am excited and honored to have this opportunity and am confident that we can continue to build upon what is already a competitive, reputable, and winning program at the University of La Verne,” Pruitt said. “The university, student body, and community will be proud.”

http://leopardathletics.com/sports/wbkb/2016-17/releases/20170823pruzzl

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