Asbury University Athletics Director Mark Perdue announced the addition of Jason Price to the Athletics staff for the 2014-15 academic year on Thursday June 12th. Price takes over the women's basketball program in 2014-15, a position vacated by Bart Flener in May. Flener leaves Asbury to accept a job in the Murray County school district as both the Assistant Superintendent of schools and the head boy's basketball coach at Murray High School.
"Jason is a perfect fit for us institutionally," Perdue said of the hire. "He brings a passion for the game of basketball, for mentoring young student-athletes, and for the Lord. I hope that he continues to build on the success of the program that Bart started six years ago."
The program's success in recent years includes back-to-back 20-win seasons, the only two in program history. In 2012-13 the Eagles went 23-10, following that campaign with a 25-7 record this past season.
Price hopes to continue the success.
"Bart had a lot of success while he was here and has taken the program in the right direction," Price said. "I'm looking forward to building on that, but, more importantly, I want to be sure we always keep in mind that faith comes first, academics second and basketball third, but remembering, too, that we'd like to do all three with excellence."
Price is a graduate of Asbury College and still stands atop the scoring list for the men's program with 2865 points from 1996-2000. During his senior season Price led the NAIA in scoring with 985 points for 25.8 points per game. He is a 2006 Asbury Hall of Fame inductee.
"In being an alum of Asbury, I'm extremely happy to be a part of this program and lead them to new heights," Price said of the opportunity to take over the women's program after coaching alongside men's coach Will Shouse, and former coach Bart Flener. "Being able to lead these young women and help them become the best basketball players they can be as well as prepare them for life after basketball and Asbury is something I'm really excited."
When asked how his coaching style would compare with Flener's or Shouse's he responded by saying he feels he'd be a blend of the coaches he has been around in the past.
"I've worked under multiple coaches here at Asbury, played with and coached with Will Shouse, coached with Flener, so I hope to use a little bit from each one to bring to the table and continue building a winning tradition."
