Shaw Names Bernard New Head Men’s Basketball Coach
September 9, 2002
RALEIGH, N.C. – In a hastily called press conference, Shaw University President
Talbert O. Shaw announced that Michael Bernard has been
named head men’s basketball coach.
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Michael
Bermard |
“We’re pleased to have brought to this campus,
someone who has proven he is the best and we know he will continue
Shaw’s basketball success,” said Shaw President Talbert
O. Shaw
Bernard had spent the last four seasons as the head coach at
Fayetteville State University. While at Fayetteville State he
compiled a record of 63-45 (.567). He led the Broncos to a second
place finish in the CIAA Tournament in 2001 and was also named
the CIAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Coach.
Prior to coaching at Fayetteville State, Bernard coached seven
seasons at Norfolk State University where he compiled a record
of 141-67 (.677). He led the Spartans to back-to-back South Atlantic
Regional Championships in 1994 and 1995. He also led the Spartans
to the NCAA Division II Final Four in 1994 and the NCAA Division
II “Elite Eight” in 1995.
Bernard might be most noted for leading North Carolina Central
to the NCAA Division II Championship in 1989. During that season,
the Eagles went 28-4 (.875) and Bernard was also named Kodak Division
II Coach of the Year. He compiled a 115-56 (.673) record in six
seasons at NC Central.
A native of Brockton, MA, Bernard has compiled an impressive
321-167 (.657) record in 16 seasons as a head basketball coach.
Prior to his head coaching stints, Bernard was an assistant men’s
basketball coach at Kentucky State (1974-76) and Norfolk State
(1978-1984).
Bernard is a 1970 graduate of Kentucky State. He was a member
of the 1970 NAIA National Championship team and was drafted in
the seventh round by the Cincinnati Royals in 1970. He played
two seasons (1970-72) with the Wilmington Blue Bonnets of the
Eastern Basketball Association.
Bernard replaces Joel Hopkins who led the Bears to the schools
first-ever CIAA Tournament Championship and first-ever NCAA Division
II Final Four appearance.
“I am looking forward to working with a fine group of
gentlemen that have had success on and off the floor,” said
Bernard. “I would like to continue the work that has been
done by a fine coaching staff the last few years. Having been
involved with this game for twenty-five years, twenty-four of
which have been involved in this conference [CIAA], I think I
am prepared for the task.
“I think when all of this is dissolved in the next couple
of days and we can get to work, I think we’ll all be proud
of the work that will be accomplished over the next few years
with this team.”
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