Edgewood photo by Todd K. Olsen |
The Edgewood men's basketball program has had two genuine constants over the last 11 seasons: the Todd Wehr Edgedome and Justin Meyer. The next time the Edgedome opens its doors for a men's basketball game, it will be Meyer guiding the team from the sidelines.
After an exhaustive search that involved more than 75 candidates, Edgewood has named Justin Meyer the sixth head men's basketball coach in the school's history.
Meyer replaces Todd Adrian, who took the head coaching job at Otterbein after leading the Eagles to a 23-7 record and the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
"I'd like to thank Al Brisack, Dr. Flanagan, Dr. Carey, and the
entire search committee for the opportunity to become the next head
men's basketball coach here at Edgewood College,” said Meyer.
“Edgewood College has become home to me over the past several
years and I am extremely honored and humbled to be the new head
coach.”
Meyer has been on the Eagles' coaching staff for a total of 11
seasons serving at various times as an assistant coach, recruiting
coordinator and head assistant coach, before being promoted to his
current position of associate head coach prior to the 2009-10
season. He was also working as an admissions counselor for
Edgewood. Meyer has been on the staff of all three of Edgewood
College's NCAA Tournament teams, including the 2011-12 squad that
finished 23-7 and won the first NCAA Tournament game in school
history. Out of high school, Meyer originally planned to attend
UW-Eau Claire, before a career-ending knee injury diverted him into
a coaching position at Burlington Catholic Central. Meyer is a
graduate of the DeVry University School of Business.
“I owe a special thank you to all the current players, their
families, our alumni and boosters, my family and the Adrian family
for all the support they have given me over the years and in
particular the last few weeks,” noted Meyer. “The
wonderful people we have here at Edgewood College is one of the
things I love most about it and all these people have played a
tremendous role in making this happen. I look forward to building
on our recent success and storied tradition and putting out a
product that our entire community can be proud of.”
“Justin Meyer has played a key role in our success the last
11 years,” said Director of Athletics Al Brisack.
“Through the search process, Justin clearly demonstrated his
plan to move our men's basketball program forward, continue to
recruit excellent student-athletes, keep our alumni engaged, adapt
to the surrounding Division III landscape and engage the men's
basketball program with the Madison community.
“Because he excelled in that role for so long, it is easy to
think of coach Meyer as an assistant coach,” Brisack
continued. “However, it was clear to the search committee and
to me, that coach Meyer will be an outstanding head coach for the
Edgewood College men's basketball program for many years to come. I
would once again like to thank our search committee for ensuring a
thorough and professional search.”
Meyer and the Edgewood men's basketball team will open the 2012-13
season on November 16-17 at the Just A Game Tipoff Tournament in
Wisconsin Dells. Edgewood, Ripon and UW-Oshkosh will all feature
new head coaches, joining UW-La Crosse in the four-team event.