FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 3-18-01

John Marhefka Named AASU Men's Basketball Head Coach
Interim Label Dropped For Former Pirate Assistant

SAVANNAH, Ga. – John Marhefka, the interim head men's basketball coach at Armstrong Atlantic State University for the 2001-2002 season, had that interim label officially removed on Monday, accepting the position of head men's basketball coach for the Pirates.

Marhefka, 30, had served as the head assistant coach at AASU for 2000-2001 before taking the head coaching position on an interim basis in July, 2001, following Griff Mills' resignation. This season, the Pirates went 13-15 overall and advanced to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament quarterfinals after losing four starters from the 2000-2001 Peach Belt Conference champion squad.

"I would like to thank Dr. Jones and Dr. Aenchbacher for choosing me to continue serving as the head coach of the Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball program. I am looking forward to continue building the Pirate basketball tradition in Savannah," Marhefka said.

"I am appreciative of the support I have received from my staff, the players and the community," Marhefka continued. "With the combined enthusiasm and work-ethic currently surrounding the Pirate Basketball program, we feel we can keep moving in the right direction."

A native of Medina, Ohio, Marhefka was a standout NCAA Division III basketball player at Hiram College and held two head coaching jobs in the high school ranks prior to joining the Pirates in 1996. From 1996-98, Marhefka served as a graduate assistant to Griff Mills, then after serving as an assistant coach at Grove City College from 1998-2000, he returned in 2000-2001 as Mills' top assistant.

Marhefka also follows Mills in being promoted from within to the head coaching position of the Pirate men's basketball squad. Mills was the interim head coach for AASU in 1990-91, then was awarded the head coaching position the following season.

"We are pleased to retain John Marhefka and remove the 'interim' label from his title, making him officially our head men's basketball coach at Armstrong Atlantic State University," Dr. Aenchbacher said. "The effort that John and his staff put forth this past season was evident in ways beyond mere wins and losses. The excitement that Coach Marhefka brings to the program ensures that in the future the Pirates will be successful, both on and off the court."

Marhefka is the eighth head coach of AASU men's basketball since the school moved to four-year status in 1966-67.

- Pirates -