JUSTIN REES NAMED NEW WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COACH AT MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE

 

Marshall, Mo. (May 24, 2013)- Missouri Valley College Athletic Director Tom Fifer has announced that Justin Rees will be the new head coach of the women’s basketball team.

Rees comes to Missouri Valley College after spending one season as an assistant coach on the William Jewell College women’s basketball staff.  Prior to his time at William Jewell College, he was head coach of the NCAA Division II Lake Superior State University women’s basketball team during the 2011-2012 season.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to coach the Lady Vikings,” Rees said.  “I can’t wait to hit the recruiting trail and compete for Heart of America Athletic Conference championships.”

Other coaching stops for Rees include NCAA Division I University of Maine where he served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator from 2007 through 2011, NCAA Division II Ferris State University where he served as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator and Post University where he served as an assistant coach on the women’s basketball team.

“We are very excited to bring Justin in as our next women’s basketball coach,” Fifer said.  “Justin has an extensive background with plenty of experience and knowledge to continue to build on a solid MVC women’s basketball tradition.”

Rees attended Barry University in Miami Shores, Fla. where he played on the men’s basketball team and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcast communications in 1997.

Rees replaces former Lady Viking Head Coach Jolene Christensen who stepped down from the position in the spring after leading the program for five seasons.  Christensen will remain at Missouri Valley College working as the Assistant Director of Admissions.

“We want to thank Jolene for her years of service and dedication to the women’s basketball program and look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role,” Fifer said.

 

Viking Women's Basketball Program

 

The Missouri Valley women's basketball program is one with opportunity, with a full roster for both, a varsity and junior varsity squad. The women's team promises to bring excitement and commitment to excellence in every contest. A new style of play has been brought in under Coach Christensen as the Vikings will be looking to run the court and press each opponent.

The Viking's basketball teams compete at both the varsity and junior varsity levels, providing intercollegiate participation opportunities for over 30 girls. The varsity team plays a total of 30 games, competing in the Heart of America Conference, one of the top NAIA Division I conferences in the country. The junior varsity competes in 20 contests each year. The junior varsity plays against other JV teams, as well as competing with junior colleges in the Missouri-Kansas area.

The Viking program is also a provider of academic opportunity. The Missouri Valley athletic-institutional scholarships provide each girl the chance to pursue a degree in one of more than 30 majors and 7 pre-professional programs. Individual academic meetings are held on a weekly basis by the coaching staff to monitor each girl's academic progress. The player's class attendance is monitored, and each girl must adhere to a team class-attendance policy. Yes, the basketball experience is meaningful and fun, but career preparation is of utmost importance.

The Viking program provides each student-athlete the opportunity to be a “Champion of Character”. Missouri Valley College is a participating member in the NAIA's Champion of Character Program. The 5 core character values that are emphasized and learned are:

  • Respecting my opponent, the officials, my teammates, the game, and myself.
  • Taking responsibility for my actions in all areas of my life.
  • Having the integrity to stand by my word.
  • Providing servant leadership where I serve others while striving to be a personal and team leader.
  • Being an example of sportsmanship by holding myself to the highest standards of fair play. Participation in the basketball program prepares each girl for “the game of life”.