For Immediate Release Aug. 25, 2000

SEARLS TO TAKE REIGNS OF TIGER GOLF PROGRAM, ASSIST WITH MEN’S BASKETBALL

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — J.J. Searls has been hired as assistant men’s basketball coach and head golf coach at Wittenberg University, Director of Athletics Garnett Purnell has announced. Searls replaces Brett Steele, who has been hired as Director of Athletics at Redford Union High School in Redford, Michigan.
Searls joins the Tiger coaching staff after one year as the assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Charleston (WV), two years at Franklin (IN) College, and one year at Manhattan (NY) College. His duties included recruiting efforts, scouting opponents, and overseeing summer camps, all of which he will be involved in at Wittenberg. Searls also was a camp counselor at the Tiger Basketball Camps from 1994 to 1998, in addition to many other camps throughout his career. He is a 1995 graduate of Ohio University, where he served as team manager to former Tiger coach Larry Hunter for four seasons.
The Wittenberg men‚s basketball team finished last season with a 18-8 record. The team will return four seniors for the 2000-01 season which begins at the Albion College Tip-Off Tournament Nov. 17-18. The Tiger golf program also had a successful season, finishing fifth at the conference championship.

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