UConn Basketball Standout Edmund Saunders Named Post University Assistant Coach
WATERBURY, Conn (July 15, 2010) Former UConn Husky Edmund Saunders has joined the Men’s Basketball coaching staff at Post University as an assistant coach. Saunders was a member of the 1999 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship winning team.
“Edmund brings a wealth of experience to the Post University basketball program,” said Al Sokaitis, Eagles Head Coach. “He played for Ed Generali at Holy Cross High School and Jim Calhoun at UConn before beginning his professional career. Those are two great mentors and he knows his roots. One of the things that impressed me in our initial meeting was how Edmund spoke about his youth and AAU coaches. Because of his experience, he understands the role and responsibility of working with aspiring players.”
During his collegiate playing career under Jim Calhoun at UConn, which spanned from 1998-2001, Saunders scored 778 points, averaged 7.8 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and totaled 55 blocks in 100 games as a forward.
“Post University has provided me with a great opportunity to get into coaching,” said Saunders. “I have played under Hall of Fame coaches such as Jim Calhoun and professionally overseas for the past eight years against good talent, which has allowed me to study the game. My goal will be to coach through the mental aspects of the game and make sure Post University's athletes have a mental state of mind making them ready to compete.”
After college, Saunders began his professional playing career by competing in Iceland, Mexico, Uruguay, and Finland as well as playing in the American Basketball Association and the United States Basketball League. He also participated in NBA summer leagues with the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats.
“Edmund has a strong desire to get into coaching and to do that in his home area, which made an impression on me,” added Sokaitis. “There are several programs Edmund could benefit; instead he chose to come back to his home area to make a difference while developing his coaching skills.”
Post University's Men's Basketball team will play its first game of the 2010-2011 season on November 13th against UMass-Lowell.