Durham Lords News Release
Friday, April 11, 2008

DURHAM COLLEGE ANNOUNCES R. DESMOND ROWLEY AS MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH

Oshawa, ON - The Durham College Department of Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of R. Desmond Rowley as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program.

”I am very pleased to introduce Desmond as the new head coach of the men’s basketball program,” commented Ken Babcock, Durham College Athletic Director. “We have hired a person who is committed to bring a championship back to Durham.”

For the past four seasons, Rowley has served as the men’s basketball assistant coach with Durham. Assisting with the Lords, the Ajax native has proven to be a great teacher of fundamentals of the game, incorporating individual skill along with team concepts to generate success out of the team.

Prior to joining Durham, Rowley coached at the high school level for Eastern Commerce in Toronto, Ontario. In eight seasons with Eastern Commerce, Rowley was instrumental in developing the program into a nationally recognized basketball powerhouse. He led the Saints to five TSSAA League Championships and two OFSAA Championships (1993 and 1994). Eastern Commerce also made it to the championship finals in 1998.

When asked about Rowley’s coaching career, Babcock noted: “He has had success at the high school level with the vaunted Eastern Commerce and he has been a valuable part of our Varsity program the past four years as an assistant. We look forward to what Desmond can bring to our program now as our Head Coach.”

After winning Durham’s lone CCAA National Championship in 1997, the Lords have struggled to find the winning formula to get them back into the national spotlight. Rowley’s coaching style will bring an entirely new attitude to the team, which will unquestionably generate positive results on the court.

“Durham College will be known as the team that works hard for forty minutes,” stated the new coach. “Anyone who plays us will have to outwork us to win.”

His ability to recruit, energize and teach the game is also going to bring success to the program; “I believe that if you give young people a voice in decisions pertaining to the team, it will result in hard work, responsibility and accountability.”

Having worked in the community for the past number of years, Rowley has also developed plenty of positive relationships that will help him attract top talent to Durham College. He also knows the strengths and weaknesses of the current team, having been the assistant coach for the past four seasons. Building a strong relationship with the local high schools is also one of Rowley’s priorities.

Rowley believes that with his ability to recruit, familiarity with the team and his basketball knowledge that winning is right around the corner; “I believe with the nucleus of returning players and the potential for incoming athletes, we should be competing for a solid position in the Elite Eight and Championship aspirations within the next two years.”

Rowley will begin working immediately preparing for the 2008-09 season at Durham. Joining him on the bench will be new assistant coach Curtis Celestine. Graduating from the marketing program at Marist College (NCAA Division I), Celestine had a successful collegiate career being named the college’s MVP in 1990. He went on to play professionally in France, and has most recently coached with the Malvern High Flyers in the Ontario Basketball Association.

The Durham College Lords are proud members of the Ontario Colleges Athletic Association and compete in the OCAA and CCAA. For more information on Durham College Varsity Athletics visit www.durhamlords.com.

A QUICK LOOK AT HEAD COACH DESMOND ROWLEY

Coaching Experience:
Durham College Assistant Coach Men’s Basketball (2004-2008 & 1998-1999)

Eastern Commerce Men’s Basketball Head Coach (1996-2000)
-OFSAA Finalists (1999)
-TSSAA Champions (1998, 1999)

Eastern Commerce Men’s Basketball Associate Coach (1992-1996)
-OFSAA Champions (1994, 1995)
-TSSAA Champions (1994, 1995, 1996)

DURHAM LORDS MEN’S BASKETBALL COACHING HISTORY SINCE 1983
1983/84 – 1985/86: Ted Harrison
1986/87 – 1987/88: Dave Cutler
1988/89 – 1989/90: Ernie Rainbow
1990/91 – 1992/93: Jim Barclay
1993/94 – 1997/98: Kerry Vinson
1998/99 – 1999/00: Ernie Rainbow
2000/01 – 2007/08: Peter Gordon
2008/09 – Present: R. Desmond Rowley

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

R. Desmond Rowley
coachjazz11@rogers.com
416-882-9018

Scott Dennis
Sports Information and Marketing Coordinator
Durham College and UOIT Athletics
905.721.2000 Ext. 2784 (P)
905.721.3117 (F)
scott.dennis@dc-uoit.ca