Avila University Names Rodney Perry New Men's Basketball Coach

KANSAS CITY, Mo -- Avila University continues the transition in its athletic department that began last year with the naming of Anthony Hall, Sr., its head men's basketball coach, as Director of Athletics and Recreation.  On Tuesday, Avila named Rodney Perry as its new head men's basketball coach.  Perry succeeds Hall, who resigned from his basketball coaching duties at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 season.

"The time is right" said Hall of the decision to transition his head coaching responsibilities.  "I have really enjoyed working directly with my players over the years, but it is time for me to focus on building the overall strength of our department and to pass the responsibility for men's basketball on to Rodney.  He has excellent experience, knows our players well and will take our program to the next level."

"I am very excited to be in this position at such a great university," said Perry, an assistant on the Avila University men's basketball staff. "I believe that Avila can make it to the NAIA National Tournament and I want to take them there."

Continuing the success of the Eagles' program off the court and building a winning tradition on the court is a major objective for the new head coach.  "We have two primary goals," said Perry.  "The first is to graduate our players.  Second, we want to win the Heart of America Athletic Conference and compete in the NAIA National Tournament."

Beyond leading the Eagles to success in the classroom and on the basketball court, Perry has other goals in his new job.  "I feel a great responsibility to give back to the community with camps, clinics and more.  This is something I've done in the past and that I'm really looking forward to continuing."

Before coming to Avila to work under Coach Hall, Perry was no stranger to successful basketball programs.  He played for legendary Coach Charlie Spoonhour at Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University.  While there (1991-1993), Perry led Southwest Missouri State to its first and only postseason Missouri Valley Conference Championship in 1992 and continued into the NCAA tournament (23-8), reaching the Elite Eight. His team also participated in the 1993 NIT tournament (20-11).  Perry was a two-time member of the Missouri Valley Conference All-Defensive Team, leading the team in steals in both seasons and was team Co-Captain in his 1992–1993 season.

Perry has coached at all levels from AAU to NCAA Division I to professional basketball.  He was an assistant under former University of Nebraska Coach Danny Nee at Duquesne University and also worked as an assistant at Western Illinois University, helping lead Western Illinois to its best record in ten years. Most recently, Coach Perry was the head coach of the Kansas City Stars ABA professional basketball team.

Perry has no supporter more enthusiastic than his boss.  "The time is right for Rodney," said Hall.  "He has done an outstanding job as an assistant coach; he's demanding, talented and a very good coach and recruiter.  I think Rodney is ready to take over the program and will do an outstanding job."