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Ken Tyler
Ken Tyler
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Jefferson County native Ken Tyler begins his sixth season as the head coach of the Shepherd men's basketball program.
From 2003-05 Shepherd posted back-to-back winning seasons in WVIAC play for the first time since 1993-94. The Rams posted a 22-14 mark over that period.
In 2003-04 Tyler engineered the Rams' first winning season in 10 years and best overall record since the 1992-93 season.
Shepherd has returned to the once-familiar territory of WVIAC contender.
"I am a native of the Eastern Panhandle, and I'm very aware of the rich tradition of Shepherd basketball. We are tapping into that tradition and building relationships with alumni and the community. We have a program in which all can take pride."
An outstanding fund-raiser, Tyler has raised more than $200,000 for the men's basketball program since his arrival in 2001. He was driving force behind the recent addition of chairback seating and center-hanging scoreboard in the Butcher Center.
Tyler posted an 87-64 record in six seasons as the head men's basketball coach at Albright College. He also led the Lions to the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth League championship in 1997-98. Under Tyler's direction, the Lions qualified for the MAC playoffs for four straight years and also qualified for the ECAC Championships for three straight seasons. In addition, Tyler served as assistant athletic director at Albright.
Tyler brings an extensive basketball background as both a player and a coach to Shepherd. He was a backup guard at prestigious William & Mary, a Division I college noted for its academics, and from which he earned both his bachelor of arts and master's degrees. While at William & Mary, he played against 1987 Wooden Award winner David Robinson of Navy. He also served as an assistant coach under Lefty Driesell at James Madison University in 1994-95. He had other stints as a collegiate assistant at Roanoke (1993-94) and East Stroudsburg (1991-92), and as a high school head coach at Gloucester (Virginia) High School.
Tyler is an avid reader and a Civil War buff. He is a frequent motivational speaker at civic and corporate functions, as well as summer basketball camps. He resides in Shepherdstown with his wife, Dawn, and their children, nine-year-old son, Jordan, and five-year-old daughter, Logan.
Career Highlights
Shepherd University, 2001-present (Head Coach)
* 2004-05
* Led Shepherd to its first back-to-back winning seasons in WVIAC action since 1993-94
* Knocked off eventual WVIAC Tournament champion Wheeling Jesuit (88-76)
* Defeated conference power Alderson-Broaddus (77-69) for first time since 2000-01 season
* 2003-04
* Led Shepherd to first winning season since 1993-94
* Best record since 1992-93
* First home playoff game since 1997
* 2002-03
* Led Shepherd to first WVIAC Tournament win since 1997-98
* 2001-02
* 8-4 record at home, best home mark since 1993-94 season
* Beat Fairmont State for first time since 1997
Albright College, 1995-2001 (Head Coach)
* 87-64 record in six seasons
* 1997-98 Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth Champions
* Had 100% graduation rate (17-17)
* Coached one All-American, two Conference Players of the Year, and two Rookies of the Year
* 1999, 2000, 2001 ECAC South Region Semifinals
* Four straight winning seasons (1997-2001) Average wins (17)
2000
* Final Mid-Atlantic Region Ranking (4th)
* Highest National Ranking (11th)
* 20-7 record (2nd best in school history)* Led nation in rebounding margin (+12.4)
James Madison University, 1994-95 (Assistant Coach)
* Under head coach Lefty Driesell, coordinated academic counseling, off-season conditioning, on-campus recruiting, and travel for NCAA I program
Roanoke College, 1993-94 (Assistant Coach)
* Coordinated scouting and recruiting for nationally-ranked NCAA III program. Overall record: 26-2 Final national ranking: 7th
East Stroudsburg, 1992-93 (Graduate Assistant Coach)
* Involved in all aspects of program, including recruiting, scouting, practice/ game preparation, and coaching
Gloucester High School, 1989-90 (Head Coach)
* Upon appointment became youngest AAA head coach in Virginia (24)
* Coached against two future NBA Number 1 overall draft picks in Allen Iverson and Joe Smith.
Playing Career
The College of William & Mary, 1984-87
* Two-year letterman
* B.A., History, 1987
* M.A., Education, 1989
Ken Tyler
Head Men's Basketball Coach
Butcher Center
P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5264 | Fax: 304/876-3267
ktyler@shepherd.edu
Justin Namolik
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Entering his first season on the Ram basketball coaching staff is Justin Namolik. He comes to Shepherd after spending the last three years as the top assistant at NAIA power St. Vincent (Pa.).
Namolik coached two All-Americans at St. Vincent, including Hedgesville graduate Kenny Roberts, and helped lead the team to a three-year record of 68-24 and two appearances in the NAIA "Sweet Sixteen". The 6-6 Namolik, a native of Wheeling, led Wheeling Park High School to the 1995 AAA state championship and earned first-team all-state honors. He was a four-year starter at Division I Columbia University of the Ivy League. Namolik finished his college career with 1,049 points, number sixteen all-time at Columbia.
"We're very pleased to add Justin to our staff," stated Tyler. "He comes from a winning program at St. Vincent and did an outstanding job for them in all facets of their program. He is a native of West Virginia and brings excellent credentials as a player and as a graduate of a prestigious Ivy League school. Justin will be a real asset to Shepherd University."
Justin Namolik
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Butcher Center
P.O. Box 3210
Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443-3210
Phone: 800/344-5231 ext. 5439 | Fax: 304/876-3267
jnamolik@shepherd.edu
Mike Branson
Mike Branson
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Entering his fsixth season on the Ram basketball coaching staff is Mike Branson, a 1992 Shepherd graduate and former Ram player.
Branson works with the post players and coordinates alumni relations. He is also employed as a finance specialist at Parson's Ford in Martinsburg.
He has a son, Nicholas.
Branson grew up in Shepherdstown and has a brother, Carlton, who also played for the Rams.
"Mike is a no-nonsense kind of coach. He is able to use his experiences as a Shepherd player as a positive example for our team."
Tripp Lowe
Tripp Lowe
Assistant Men's Basketball Coach
Also in his sixth season on the Ram basketball staff is Tripp Lowe. Lowe works with the wings and assists in program fundraising and community relations.
Lowe, a 1995 graduate of Shepherd, is no stranger to the Shepherd basketball program. His father, Ken Lowe, Jr., was an assistant coach under Bob Starkey during some of the program's glory days.
Lowe is the director of operations at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Shepherdstown.
"Tripp has a great passion for basketball and translates that enthusiasm to our players. His knowledge of the community is an invaluable asset to our program."
Darren Stackhouse
Student Assistant
Joining this year's staff as a student assistant is former Ram standout Darren Stackhouse.
Stackhouse, a two-year starter at Shepherd, served as a team captain in his senior year and earned Second Team All-WVIAC honors as he led the Rams in scoring, rebounding, and blocked shots.
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