Virginia State Head Coach Lonnie Blow Jr. Named CIAA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Head Coach Lonnie Blow Jr., in his third year has led the Trojans to a 20-5 overall season record as well as being named the CIAA Men's Coach of the Year announced today at the CIAA Tipoff Luncheon.

This is Blow's second CIAA Coach of the Year honor. He received this honor in 2010 while serving as Head Basketball Coach at St. Augustine's University, in the Southern Division. Blow led the Falcons to a 23-4 overall season record. Coach Blow has not only had a tremendous impact at VSU, but his accolades reach well into the CIAA.

During Blows three-year tenure at Virginia State, he has led the Trojans to a 52-26 overall record. Last Season the Trojans were named CIAA Northern Division Co-Champions a title they shared with Bowie State University.The Trojans were the only CIAA men's basketball team to win 20 games this season. VSU enters the Tournament as the #1 seed.

Despite being honored as Men's Basketball Head Coach of the Year, the Trojans say that their coach has an even greater task ahead and they plan to assist him with it. "It's time to win the CIAA Championship for him now," said Freshman Guard Walter Williams (Richmond,VA).

In November during the Trojans Tip-Off Classic Coach Blow spoke about expecting the Trojans to improve, embrace the process, and get better. "It's a marathon, but I think we have a chance at being a really good team," expressed Blow.

As a unit the Trojans have embraced all that this historic season has had to offer, but their marathon is not over until they reach their goal of competing and winning the CIAA Championship. During the season Coach always describes the struggles the Trojans encounter as a bad taste being left in their mouths, so for this group of men nothing would be better than making sure their coach ends this amazing season avoiding those bad taste.

If the Trojans are crowned CIAA Champions, Coach Lonnie Blow Jr. will be the first CIAA Coach to win two CIAA Championships with two different CIAA institutions.

The men's basketball team will make their first appearance of the CIAA Tournament during the Quarterfinals on Thursday at 3:00 PM as they await the winner of the Chowan and FSU/ECSU game.

For more information on VSU Trojans men's basketball, follow Trojans Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports, or call 804-524-5030.

Sports Information GA- Shalyn Moore
COURTESY VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION