It’s no secret around the CU campus that this university is primarily a football school.
On April 4, Athletic Director Mike Bohn took a step that puts CU basketball back on the map. Bohn announced the hiring of former Air Force head basketball coach Jeff Bzdelik.
Bzdelik has been coaching for 29 years, including stints in collegiate basketball and in the National Basketball Association. In 2003, Bzdelik led the Denver Nuggets to one of the biggest improvements in NBA history. The team won 26 more games then the year prior and made the NBA playoffs. With so much experience, CU students are very excited for Bzdelik’s arrival and what he can do for the basketball program.
Junior broadcast news major David Billingslea, who covers men’s basketball on the campus television and radio programs, expressed his approval of the hiring.
“You have to think that he is a good hire for a school like CU,” Billingslea said. “He brings a ton of experience to the table and he turns programs around. The way he turned around the Nuggets was impressive, not to mention what he did with the Air Force Academy.”
During his two years at the academy, Bzdelik compiled a 50-16 record. He led the team to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 and recently took the Falcons to the final four of the National Invitation Tournament.
Billingslea also talked about how Bzdelik will turn around the struggling program through his unique coaching style and hard work. He said that attendance numbers should pick up as well. Attendance at the Coors Events Center dropped significantly last season, as the team limped to a 7-20 record on the year.
“He will be dedicated to the program,” Billingslea said. “Respect is a huge thing with him. I think that the attendance will increase because of his presence and the improved play of the team. The arrival of coach Bzdelik already caused so much buzz around campus and it’s April; it’s encouraging for the future.
Other students agreed with Billingslea’s assessment of the new coach. With the arrival of a new head coach, students are showing a renewed interest in the men’s basketball team.
“I like his previous track record,” said sophomore broadcast news major Amanda Blackwell. ” You can’t argue with the things he did for the Nuggets and the Air Force, so I am definitely excited.”
Contact Campus Press staff writer Ben Dignan at Benjamin.Dignan@thecampuspress.com.
