Release courtesy of the SVSU Sports Information Department
UNIVERSITY CENTER, Mich. – The Saginaw Valley State University Men's Basketball team has released their schedule for the upcoming 2011-2012 season, highlighted by an unprecedented home contest versus NCAA Division I Miami University on November 21st.
The meeting will bring the Miami University RedHawks to Saginaw Valley for the first time in school history. It also schedules the return of Miami coaching legend Charlie Coles, who has ties to the Saginaw area.
"We are very excited about Miami coming to SVSU," said Head Men's Basketball Coach Frankie Smith. "It's an honor to have the all-time winningest coach in the MAC (Mid-American Conference) return to the city in which he started coaching."
Charlie Coles is the father of SVSU Assistant Men's Basketball Coach Chris Coles. Charlie was the head coach at Saginaw High for ten years, followed by six seasons as head of Central Michigan University. Coach Coles, entering his 15th season as head coach at Miami, has amassed 241 total wins in his career, including a record 202 MAC conference wins.
"SVSU is very honored to have the opportunity to showcase the University and its facilities to Miami and their fan base," stated Coach Smith.
In addition to Miami, this years' schedule includes a visit to the defending NCAA Division II National Champions Bellarmine University to open the season on November 12. Other notable contests include home games against Grand Valley State on January 5 and defending GLIAC North Champions Ferris State on January 7.
Saginaw Valley finished the 2010-11 season 13-14 and 9-10 in the GLIAC, ending with a loss in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
The Cardinals enter the 2010-11 campaign looking to make their third straight GLIAC postseason appearance under fifth year head coach Frankie Smith. Returning starters include First Team All-GLIAC senior guard Greg Foster (Indianapolis, Ind./TC Howe HS) and GLIAC All-Defensive Team junior guard Chris Webb (Saginaw, Mich./Arthur Hill HS).
