By Jayson Larson/TVCC Sports Information
The torch of the most successful NJCAA women’s basketball program has been passed to Gerald Ewing.
Ewing was today introduced as head coach at Trinity Valley Community College, which has claimed the last three national titles and has eight overall.
The 19-year coaching veteran replaces Elena Lovato, who resigned in June to become an assistant coach at Mississippi State University after leading the Lady Cardinals to back-to-back national crowns. Ewing was on Lovato’s coaching staff both seasons.
As her position coach, Ewing was instrumental in the development of 2014 NJCAA and WBCA Player of the Year Adut Bulgak, who has moved on to Florida State University. Bulgak was a two-time All-American.
In addition to claiming back-to-back national titles in his tenure as assistant coach, the Lady Cardinals posted a 72-2 (72-1 on the court) record. They will carry a 29-game winning streak into his first season, having also won 54 straight conference and 57 straight home games.
“I’m truly blessed and excited to be the new head coach of such a tradition-rich program,’’ Ewing said. “I would like to thank Dr. (Glendon) Forgey and the administration for this opportunity.
“I would also like to thank Elena (Lovato) for allowing me to be on her staff introducing me to a special place like Athens and the Valley. Working with her the past two years has prepared me for this opportunity.
“I understand the expectations of the Lady Cardinal program from our fans and the community. Our goal will be to maintain the high level of excellence for both on and off court.”
Prior to his arrival at TVCC, Ewing served four seasons as a member of the Johnson County Community College Lady Cavaliers basketball coaching staff, serving as head coach Ben Conrad’s top assistant. He was responsible for recruiting and academics.
In his four seasons on staff, the Lady Cavaliers won more games in a four-year span than at any time in Johnson County history. JCCC has posted a record of 113-26 over that span, including three straight 30-win seasons, helping JCCC become just the second school in Kansas Jayhawk Conference history to reach that milestone.
He helped the program win four straight Region VI titles, three District titles, make three NJCAA Division II appearances and post three top-10 finishes, including a top five finish in 2010-11.
Academically, the Lady Cavaliers were ranked in the WBCA Top 20 in three of the four years of his tenure.
Overall, Ewing has mentored 10 NJCAA All-America performers, four WBCA State Farm All-Americans, eight NJCAA All-Tournament selections, 17 NJCAA All-Region D-II picks, 11 All-East Jayhawk Conference selections and the 2010 East Jayhawk Freshman of the Year, a first in team history.
Ewing went to JCCC after spending six seasons as head coach at George Washington High School, in Chicago, Ill. He also served six seasons at the school as the assistant prior to taking over as head coach. During Ewing’s association as head coach with the George Washington High program, the Minutewomen won back-to-back Illinois Regional Championships in 2007 and 2008.
Additionally, Ewing was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association District 3 Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2008. He also was bestowed the 2007 Illinois Times Newspaper Coach of the Year, and named the Chicago Public Schools Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2004, 2007 and 2008.
Ewing compiled a 120-60 record in his six seasons as head coach, all resulting in playoff appearances.
As an assistant coach at GWHS, Ewing was the top assistant for Chicago Public School Hall of Fame coach Willie Byrd. Ewing helped lead Washington to a 33-5 record, a city championship and a second place finish in the state in 2000. The Minutewomen compiled a 134-61 record in Ewing’s first six seasons with the program.
Ewing also was successful helping his players advance to the next level. Seventy-five percent of the athletes he coached went on to play collegiate basketball, including NCAA Division I players Angelina Williams, Leslie Hill and Brianna Kulas.
Williams was a WBCA High School All-American who went to the University of Illinois. She went on to help the WNBA’s Detroit Shock win the 2006 WNBA title. Hill played for the University of Minnesota and helped the Gophers to a Final Four appearance in 2004. She is now employed by the Big 10 Network as color analyst for women’s basketball. Kulas went on to play at the University of Missouri and was selected in the 2014 WNBA draft by San Antonio.