| Owen Handy has been the No. 1
assistant at Wheaton (Ill.) since 2009. Photo by Pat Coleman, D3sports.com |
Anderson announced the hiring of Owen Handy as the 17th men’s basketball coach in school history on Saturday. Handy, the lead assistant at Wheaton (Ill.), replaces Tom Slyder, who guided the Ravens for seven seasons.
"Owen Handy is a very promising young coach from one of the most
successful NCAA Division III programs in the country,” said
AU President James Edwards. “He understands our institutional
culture and mission. He knows how to lead and brings exceptional
skills to the Anderson University men's basketball program. His
choice from among a host of very fine candidates speaks well for
our program and our future. We are delighted to welcome Coach Handy
to the AU family."
Slyder was 103-85 in five seasons before being hired at North Park
earlier in the offseason.
Handy comes to Anderson from Wheaton, where he served as an
assistant coach for the Thunder for nine seasons. The 2003 Wheaton
graduate was named the lead assistant in June 2009 to serve under
coach Mike Schauer. Handy previously had served six seasons as an
assistant to longtime coach Bill Harris.
“I am excited and humbled to be selected to lead the
basketball program at Anderson University,” said Handy.
“Over the past few years Anderson has been among the best
Division III basketball programs in the Midwest. We will work hard
to take the next step forward on the court so that the Anderson
men's basketball team becomes a fixture in the postseason. We will
graduate men of character who are prepared to fulfill their
professional goals. And we will do this all within the unique
Christian context than Anderson offers.”
During his tenure at Wheaton, the Thunder had a 62 percent winning
percentage (177-69), four All-Americans, four Academic
All-Americans, five NCAA Tournament appearances and three Sweet 16
appearances. In addition to his work at Wheaton, Owen has worked
numerous basketball camps and clinics around the world, including
L’Arcada, a basketball camp in Catalunia, Spain.
“Owen emerged from a pool of applicants that was broad in
number and deep in talent,” said vice president for student
affairs Brent Baker. “We are so pleased that he has accepted
our offer to be the next head coach of the Anderson Ravens men's
basketball team. We believe that he will build on the success of
our current program and bring a strong focus on both basketball and
the development of young men of faith and character. We
enthusiastically introduce and welcome him to the AU
community."
The Holland, Mich., native played varsity basketball as a prep at
Holland High School, graduating from the school in 1999. He
double-majored at Wheaton in political science and history and
holds a master’s in teaching from Aurora.
“I’m excited to have coach Owen Handy leading our men's
basketball program,” said Marcie Taylor, Anderson athletic
director. “Owen's prior experience as a coach in a NCAA
(Division) III nationally ranked program has clearly prepared him
for this position. He embraces our mission and the role of
mentoring young men to excel in the classroom, on the court and in
their daily lives. I have no doubt his enthusiasm and energy will
sustain and grow the success of our men's basketball
program.”
Last season the Ravens finished 15-12 overall and advanced to the
semifinals of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference
postseason tournament. The Ravens return two starters and 13
lettermen from the 2011-12 team, including HCAC leading scorer and
first-team selection Phil Hogan.