CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Canisius men’s basketball head coach Reggie Witherspoon and women’s basketball head coach Scott Hemer will host a free youth basketball coaching clinic, presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods, Oct. 13 in the Koessler Athletic Center. The event will run from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Youth coaches that work with teams made up of kids ages 9-17 are invited to attend. To reserve your spot, email Joe LaVare at lavarej@canisius.edu or call (716) 888-8286. This clinic is only open to youth coaches who sign-up in advance. Per NCAA rules, youth basketball players are not permitted to attend.
In addition to Witherspoon and Hemer, the youth coaching clinic will also feature sessions by Canisius women’s assistant coach Linda Hill-McDonald and Buffalo State head men’s basketball coach Fajri Ansari. The clinic will cover everything from basic drills to more-detailed offensive and defensive skill instruction. The Canisius women’s basketball team will practice from 9:30-11:30 a.m., and that is open to pre-registered coaches. The men’s team will hold an open practice for youth coaches 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Witherspoon is beginning his third season as the Golden Griffins’ head coach. In his two seasons as the Griffs’ bench boss, the Buffalo native has led the Blue and Gold to 39 total wins, a share of the 2017-18 MAAC regular-season championship and two national postseason appearances. Prior to taking over the Canisius program, Witherspoon was the head at University at Buffalo for 14 seasons, racking up 198 wins, and collecting two Mid-American Conference Coach of The Year awards in 2004, and 2012.
Hemer, the 2016 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, is starting his first year on Main Street following 11 seasons at SUNY Geneseo. During his time at Geneseo, Hemer collected 218 career victories and led the Knights to five NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Hemer also spent six seasons as head coach at Genesee Community College, mentoring five NJCAA All-Americans.
Hill-McDonald, who brings more than 40 years coaching experience, having served as head coach at Temple University, the University of Minnesota and the University at Buffalo, as well as an assistant coach at the University of South Carolina. She also was the head coach of the WNBA Cleveland Rockers, and worked with two other WNBA teams.
Ansari, who is entering his 14th season as the head coach at Buffalo State, has 10 SUNYAC postseason berths and 180 career wins to his credit. Ansari is also known for leading the famed Turner Carroll High School program to a pair of New York State Federation titles, five Catholic Association state crowns and three Manhattan Cup championships. He also has coached internationally, most notably with the 1992 Rwanda National & University Teams.
The Canisius men’s basketball team will host Albany Nov. 17 in the 2018-19 home opener. Tipoff in the Koessler Athletic Center for that game is set for 3:30 p.m. The women’s team will open its season at home Nov. 9, when the Blue and Gold plays host to Miami (Ohio). Game time between the Griffs and the RedHawks is set for 7 p.m.
Season tickets for the combined 2018-19 men’s and women’s home schedule are on sale now. The price is $300 for courtside seating, $220 for reserved seats and $125 for general admission. To reserve season tickets, fans should call the Canisius ticket office at (716) 888-TIXX, or purchase online by CLICKING HERE.
