TOM ABATEMARCO

 

February 21, 1990

SPORTS PEOPLE: COLLEGE BASKETBALL;
Drake Coach Resigns

 
LEAD: Tom Abatemarco resigned as the coach of Drake yesterday and an assistant coach, Tom Butler, was dismissed after an investigation found mistreatment of players and violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association rules. Michael Ferrari, the Drake president, said at a news conference that a university committee concluded that Abatemarco knew nothing of the N.C.A.A.

Tom Abatemarco resigned as the coach of Drake yesterday and an assistant coach, Tom Butler, was dismissed after an investigation found mistreatment of players and violations of National Collegiate Athletic Association rules. Michael Ferrari, the Drake president, said at a news conference that a university committee concluded that Abatemarco knew nothing of the N.C.A.A. violations but that he used language and engaged in conduct demeaning to players, assistant coaches and trainers. Ferrari said Butler tried to influence a witness in the investigation and refused to cooperate with the committee. (AP)

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Tom Abatemarco returns for his second full season as the Monarchs assistant coach after a one-season (2003-04) stint as an assistant coach at the University of Utah. Abatemarco and Coach Whiz, initially teamed up midway through the 2003 season, in which the two guided the team to the WNBA Western Conference Finals and repeated the feat again in 2004.

Abatemarco brings extensive coaching experience to the Monarchs. Prior to his position at the University of Utah and his time at Maloof Sports & Entertainment, Abatemarco was the head coach of Sacramento State’s Men’s Basketball team. Coach T has also served as an assistant at Rutgers University under Bob Wenzel. Before that, Abatemarco spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado, Boulder, under Joe Harrington. From 1982-86, Abatemarco served as Jim Valvano’s assistant at North Carolina where he was a member of the Wolfpack staff for the team’s 1983 NCAA Championship. Additional coaching experience came as an assistant coach at Virginia Tech (1981-82); Maryland under Lefty Driesell (1979-81); St. John’s under Lou Carneseca (1978-79); Davidson (1977-78); Iona (1975-77); the New York Institute of Technology (1974-75) and his alma mater, Dowling College.

In addition to his head coach position at Sacramento State, Abatemarco served two terms as an NCAA Division I head coach at Lamar University (1986-88) and Drake University (1988-90).

 

Tom Abatemarco Named Assistant Coach At Utah

Veteran college head and assistant coach joins Rick Majerus' staff

Sept. 23, 2003

SALT LAKE CITY - Tom Abatemarco, who has over 25 years of college coaching experience, has joined Rick Majerus' staff at the University of Utah. Abatemarco will coordinate the Utes' recruiting efforts.

Abatemarco has an extensive basketball background that includes seven years as a Division I head coach. He was also an assistant coach under the late Jim Valvano at North Carolina State from 1982-86 and was a part of the Wolfpack's 1983 NCAA Championship.

Abatemarco most recently served as the head coach at Sacramento State from 1997-2000 and was an assistant coach with the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs in 2003.

In addition to his head coaching tenure at Sacramento State, Abatemarco also directed programs at Lamar University (1986-88) and Drake University (1988-90). Prior to taking over at Sacramento State, Abatemarco was as an assistant under Bob Wenzel at Rutgers University (1994-97). He also spent three seasons at Colorado (1991-94) under Joe Harrington.

Abatemarco's other assistant coaching positions include Virginia Tech (1981-82), Maryland (1979-81), St. John's (1978-79), Davidson (1977-78), Iona (1975-77), the New York Institute of Technology (1974-75) and his alma mater, Dowling College (1973-74). The 52-year-old is a native of New York.

"Tom Abatemarco is a veteran coach who will be able to bring a former head coach's perspective to our staff," said Majerus. "I am sure that he will foster a great relationship with the players and be a valuable asset to us on the floor as a teacher. Additionally, Tom is an experienced recruiter, and his ability to evaluate players, as well as to help us recruit them, will be a tremendous asset for our program. We are excited to have him on board."

The hiring of Abatemarco completes Majerus' staff heading into the 2003-04 season. Michael Kane, a former walk-on at Utah 1973-76, has replaced Mike Schneider as the director of basketball operations. Kerry Rupp and Eric Jackson return as assistant coaches for their third and fourth seasons, respectively. Scott Garson is in his second season as the video coordinator.

TOM ABATEMARCO

Kings Broadcaster

Tom Abatemarco enters his first season as co-host of the Sacramento Kings Postgame Show on KHTK (Sports 1140). Currently the head basketball coach at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, Abatemarco was the co-host of the Coach T and J Show for two years on KHTK before joining the Kings’ Broadcast Network. Abatemarco also is the Kings’ resources coordinator in the marketing and brand development department.

Coach T, as he is affectionately known, has over 25 years of coaching experience in the collegiate ranks at the Division I level, culminated by an NCAA Championship as an assistant under Jim Valvano in 1983 at North Carolina State.

Abatemarco served three terms as an NCAA Division I head coach, guiding programs at Lamar University (1986-88), Drake University (1988-90), and Sacramento State University (1997-00). His assistant coaching stints have included stops at Rutgers (1993-97), Colorado (1990-93), North Carolina State (1982-86), Virginia Tech (1981-82), Maryland (1979-81), St. John’s (1978-79), Davidson College (1977-78), Iona College (1975-77), the New York Institute of Technology (1974-75), and his alma mater, Dowling College (1973-74).

Abatemarco, who earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Dowling College, has three daughters, Tracy (18), Whitney (14), and Amy (10). He resides in Sacramento.

2003