Gayler named Men's Basketball Head Coach, AD at Brescia in historic hire
Gayler named Men's Basketball Head Coach, AD at Brescia in historic hire
(From Brescia University Public Relations)
OWENSBORO, Ky. (September 17, 2021) – Brescia University has announced Sarah Gayler as its new Athletic Director and Men's Basketball Head Coach. Gayler is the first female to be named as the Men's Basketball Head Coach in NAIA history.
The NAIA has been a part of college athletics since 1937. The national affiliation has 252 member intuitions, more than 77,000 student-athletes and 27 national championships yearly.
During a press conference to announce Gayler, she stated, "College athletics is a lifestyle. It is student athlete centered and we have their best interests in mind. We want them to be the best versions of themselves. We want them to leave here being good people." Gayler went on to mention the importance of showing support and lending a hand in the community will be a big part of how she will run both her team and the athletic department.
Gayer joins the University after being with the Milwaukee Bucks, where she worked in basketball ops with an emphasis on scouting. During her last year with the Bucks, the team won the NBA Championship. In 2019, Gayler began working with the Jr. NBA – India and Jr. NBA China as an international director and coach. Gayler also was the Head Assistant Coach with the ABA/PBL Shreveport-Bossier/Kentucky Mavericks until 2017. In 2012-2013 she served as the Co-Head Coach of the ABA's North Dallas Vandals, where they were the ABA Championship Finalist. From 2010 until 2013 she worked for the NBA Developmental League – Texas Legends where she served as the athletic trainers assistant and assistant in practices and games. She attended the University of New Orleans, a NCAA Division I school, on a full basketball scholarship, where she received her Bachelor degree in Business Management.
Brescia University President, Fr. Larry Hostetter said, "We are very pleased to have Coach Gayler join us as Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach. As an institution founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount St. Joseph, Brescia University is a leader in recognizing the importance of women in roles of leadership, here at the university and throughout society. With that being said, Coach Gayler was selected because she is the most qualified for this important role and we are excited to welcome her to campus."
The Bearcats are back in action at home on Tuesday, November 16when they take on Indiana University Kokomo. For more information, contact Rachel Whelan, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at 270.686.2110 or Rachel.whelan@brescia.edu.
About Brescia University
Brescia University is a Catholic, liberal arts institution founded in the Ursuline tradition of personal and social transformation through education by the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in 1950. Its origins are in Mount Saint Joseph Junior College for Women, established at Maple Mount, Kentucky in 1925. Between 1925 and 1950, coeducational extension courses in Owensboro led to the creation of a second campus and, after 1949, consolidation of the two campuses at the present site of Brescia University. In 1951, Brescia began operating as a four-year college. Directed to academic and moral excellence in a student-centered environment, Brescia offers undergraduate and graduate programs that serve students who seek success through rewarding careers and service to others.