Slessinger named LABC Coach of the Year for second time in three seasons

NEW ORLEANS – University of New Orleans head men’s basketball coach Mark Slessinger was named the Louisiana Association of Basketball Coaches “Tommy Joe Eagles Memorial Award” as the Louisiana Major College Coach of the Year. Slessinger will be receiving the award in May for the second time in three seasons.

Slessinger is the second Privateers head coach to claim the Eagles Award in multiple seasons, joining Tic Price (1996 and 1997). After the historic 2016-17 season, coach Sless became the fifth UNO leader to collect Louisiana Major College Coach of the Year.

“I am humbled to accept this award on behalf of our coaching staff and program from the LABC,” said Slessinger. “I have been blessed to work with a tremendous group of coaches and staff members who put our student-athletes first and stay with our core values. This great honor is a team award and is a reflection of how solid our student-athletes are and their commitment to the University of New Orleans. They made coaching this year a sincere joy with their attitude and effort.”

Coach Sless will receive the award at the LABC’s 45th Annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, May 4 at 6 p.m. at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Baton Rouge.

Earlier this season, Slessinger became the program’s leader in games coached and with the overtime win at Lamar, Sless reached the century mark in wins on the Lakefront, the third to do so for the Blue and Silver.

The 2018-19 season featured the third consecutive postseason appearance for UNO as the Privateers hosted the first round of the CollegeBasketballInvitational.com Postseason Tournament. New Orleans advanced to the championship game of the 2019 Southland Conference Tournament after knocking off Lamar and regular season champion Sam Houston State.

The Cardinals entered the tournament as the hottest team in the league having won nine consecutive contests. The following day, the Privateers knocked off the top-seeded Bearkats, shooting 52.9 percent from the field in the victory.

“I would be remiss without thanking and recognizing my wife Toni and her love and support along with our children and family,” said Slessinger.

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