Athletics

News

Cougars Sign Wynford Hoops Standout to Join Team in 2006
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - The Mount Vernon Nazarene University men’s basketball team has signed its first recruit for the 2006-2007 season with the addition of Joe Kalb, who has decided to further his education and continue his basketball career with the Cougars.

Kalb, a 6-foot-6 forward from Bucyrus, Ohio, is currently averaging 20.9 points and 10.8 rebounds for Wynford High School as he leads the North Central Conference in both categories. On Saturday, he reached the 1,000-point mark in career scoring for the Royals as he tossed in a career-high 36 points in an 81-61 win over Galion High School. Kalb, who is already a two-time All-NCC and All-District VI First Team selection, was named to the All-Ohio Second Team as a junior after earning All-Ohio Honorable Mention status as a sophomore.

"Joe has the potential to be a fine college basketball player,” said MVNU head coach Scott Flemming. "At 6-foot-6, he has played almost every position on his high school team. They have even used him at the point guard spot this year. Needless to say, he is very versatile. He is a hard worker and runs the floor extremely well for a player his size. He is an inside-outside threat on the offensive end. He is his team’s leading scorer and yet he is very unselfish.”

"Joe is also an outstanding student,” Flemming added. "That always tells me a lot about someone’s work ethic and attitude. Everyone I have talked to has nothing but great things to say about Joe.”

In addition to playing basketball, Kalb is a member of National Honor Society and the Vice President of the Wynford student council. He is a 4.0-plus student who has scored a 32 on his ACTs.

"There are several reasons why I decided to attend MVNU,” said Kalb of his college choice. "I like the overall feeling of the campus. The students seem upbeat and do everything to glorify God. MVNU also has a very strong basketball program, and I am looking forward to being a part of it.”

MVNU is currently 16-8 overall this season with a 7-5 mark in the highly competitive American Mideast Conference South Division. The Cougars have topped the 20-win mark in eight of the past nine seasons and are consistently ranked in the NAIA Division II national poll each year.