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May 17, 2000 SportsLine.com wire reports |
MUNCIE, Ind. -- Tim Buckley, who spent five seasons
as an assistant at Ball State, Wednesday was named coach of the
Mid-American Conference school.
Buckley spent last season as the top assistant to Tom Crean at
Marquette, helping the Golden Eagles to a 15-14 record and an
appearance in the National Invitation Tournament.
"When I first started in this profession, I had a dream to
become a Division I head coach," Buckley said. "I am extremely
excited to have that dream come true at Ball State University.
Ball State really showed me that the emphasis is on the
student-athlete. That made Ball State a special place while I
was here and why I wanted to come back."
Buckley replaces Ray McCallum, who was named coach at Houston on
April 19. He inherits a Cardinals team that went 22-9 during
the past campaign and lost to UCLA, 65-57, in the first round of
the NCAA Tournament.
"We are very excited to have Tim Buckley on board as our men's
basketball coach," athletic director Andrea Seger said. "He did
an outstanding job as an assistant to head coach Ray McCallum in
his earlier tenure on our staff, and was an integral factor in
those successful seasons."
In Buckley's five seasons (1994-99) as an assistant at Ball
State, the Cardinals went 88-55 overall and 55-35 within the
MAC. He helped the team average 18 wins per season and was on
the staff of the teams' 1995 NCAA Tournament and 1998 NIT
squads.
Prior to arriving at Ball State, Buckley spent the 1993-94
season as an assistant to former NBA coach Stu Jackson at
Wisconsin. He also served as head coach at Rockford College for
four seasons (1989-93), compiling a 50-52 record.
"We will give you an exciting and enjoyable brand of basketball
to watch and come support," Buckley added. "Regardless of who
our competition is, we want you (the fans) to come and support
the university and Ball State basketball."
T O P N E W S
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