Purdue University Calumet has appointed a veteran and respected former high school coach with extensive ties to northwest Indiana basketball to begin the task of restoring its men’s basketball program.
Former Morton, Lake Station (East Gary) Edison and Crown Point High School boys basketball coach Russ E. (Russ) Marcinek begins this week as acting men’s basketball coach of the Peregrines. Marcinek, who offers nearly 35 years of high school coaching and athletics administrative experience, has accepted a five-month appointment with the possibility of continuing to serve on the men’s basketball coaching staff during the 2007-08 season.
“We are pleased Russ Marcinek has agreed to join us at Purdue Calumet during this time of transition,” Purdue Calumet Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Melinda Dalgarn said. “He will play an important role in revitalizing our men’s basketball program. Russ is well-known and well-respected within the community and brings to our campus a great deal of valuable experience and expertise.”
Purdue Calumet canceled the remainder of its 2006-07 men’s basketball season Dec. 29 after eight players were ruled academically ineligible. Subsequently, former head coach Mike James and his staff resigned.
“We needed an experienced coach who could provide stability and a calming influence,” Purdue Calumet athletics consultant John Friend said. “We’re delighted to have Russ; he brings instant credibility throughout Lake and Porter counties.”
Marcinek’s primary responsibilities include recruiting, working with current Purdue Calumet players and supervising an off-season strength and conditioning program.
“I’m excited to have this opportunity, and I plan to contribute 100 percent into the effort of bringing back Purdue Calumet basketball to a status we all desire,” he said. “I know a lot of high school coaches and have a lot of contacts. Hopefully, I can use that network to the advantage of Purdue Calumet.”
Marcinek began his coaching career in 1963 as an assistant at Crown Point High School where he served four years. He then became head coach at Lake Station (formerly East Gary) Edison for four seasons, leading the Eagles to a school record for most victories in a season. Then it was off to Morton, where he directed the Governors for 16 seasons, including their only sectional championship (1976). He also coached area players in the summer White River Games during the 1980s and ‘90s. During the late ‘80s and ‘90s, he was athletics director at Morton and became the first representative of the Hammond Schools System to serve as executive secretary of the Indiana Lake Shore Conference. Since retiring in 2000, he has assisted his son, Russ J. Marcinek., the current Morton boys head basketball coach.
An accomplished basketball player in his own right, he starred at Bishop Noll Institute and St. Joseph’s College and will be inducted into the St. Joseph’s College Hall of Fame this spring.