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Gregory Resigns MVNU Women's Basketball Job
written by Dave Parsons, Sports Information Director
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio (7-26-2011) - After 13
seasons as the Mount Vernon Nazarene
University women's basketball coach and 24
years overall being associated with Cougar
basketball in some form or other, Steve
Gregory has announced that he is resigning
to take a position at Rolls Royce in Mount
Vernon.
 "I
thank God for the opportunities he has
provided to me at MVNU," said Gregory, who
posted the most wins in program history. "He
brought me to MVNU back in 1987 as a student
and provided a way for me to stay here since
graduation. I have always said that my
priorities are God, family, and basketball.
I have been conflicted on the family part
for a while now as I have a greater
responsibility once I decided to have
children. With my oldest daughter, Taylor,
entering seventh grade next year, I would
rarely be able to attend her games as a
college coach. I only get one chance to be a
father, and being a father to me means
sacrifice and being at the events that she
wants her dad at."
"The players and
other coaches I have worked with over the
years have had a profound influence on my
life and that made this a very difficult
decision," Gregory added. "I love MVNU and
will miss everything about the school and
especially the team."
Over the past
13 seasons, Gregory guided the Lady Cougars
to a 201-192 record including a 21-9 mark in
2010-2011 as MVNU earned the program's
first-ever trip to the NAIA Division II
National Tournament and a No. 24 ranking in
the final NAIA Division II poll. The Lady
Cougars captured two National Christian
College Athletic Association national titles
under his watch (2001 and 2009) and Gregory
was twice named the NCCAA National Coach of
the Year. MVNU posted five 20-win seasons
under Gregory including three straight over
his final three years.
"Women's
basketball has been a large part of Steve
Gregory's life at MVNU," said Dr. Lanette
Sessink, MVNU's vice president for Student
Development. "He has impacted the lives of a
number of student-athletes, as well as
friends and families. Home basketball games
will not be the same with the absence of
Steve Gregory in the Donoho Recreation
Center. He will be missed by students,
faculty, staff, administrators, parents, and
community friends."
"Being able to
work with Steve for the past three years, I
have seen the commitment and time he has
sacrificed for the betterment of the women's
basketball program," Sessink continued. "He
has been a great recruiter and his passion
for the student-athletes was shown daily. I
am thankful for having the opportunity to
work with him and wish him the very best as
he pursues a new direction in his life."
"We appreciate the service and
dedication that Steve has given to the
university and specifically the athletic
programs over the past 24 years," said Paul
Swanson, MVNU's athletic director. "While we
are disappointed that he is leaving us, we
are also happy for him and wish him all the
best in his new endeavor."
Prior to
becoming the Lady Cougars' head coach,
Gregory spent seven seasons as an assistant
coach at MVNU - three years with the Lady
Cougars and four years as the top assistant
with the men's team. During that time, he
played a significant role in the success of
both teams. In his final year with the
women's team in 1993-1994, the Lady Cougars
went 23-10 and won the NCCAA national title.
During his four years with the men's
program, the Cougars compiled an 82-46
overall record - the best four-year mark in
school history.
As a player, Gregory
was a four-year standout on the court for
the Cougars from 1987-1991. He still holds
several school records and ranks third in
school history with 2,242 career points. He
helped MVNU to its first two 20-win seasons.
A search for a new coach is now under
way. For more information about the
position, please go to
http://www.mvnu.edu/jobs/Staff/HWBC.pdf.
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