Jersey Express Announce Quaasim Austin as Head Coach
August 6, 2009 - American Basketball Association (ABA)
Jersey Express News Release
Newark, N.J. (Thursday, August 6, 2009) - With the tipping off of their fifth season of play in the American Basketball Association just around the corner, the Jersey Express announced today that assistant coach Quaasim Austin has been formally promoted to the position of head coach. The Irvington native has given the Express a great basketball mind for the past three seasons, and he looks to make his first as the shot caller and fourth overall his most successful year on the bench for the Express.
"I am grateful to be provided the opportunity to be the conductor of the Express ride to a championship," the community-driven Austin said. "I am passionate about the game and about winning. Putting a competitive team on the floor and making 'Express Stops' in the communities we are charged to entertain will be at the top of the to do list. One of my goals will be to help mold these young men into great men, mentors of tomorrow's leaders."
Affectionately known as "Q," Austin is a dedicated and highly respected detective in the Township of Irvington, New Jersey. Known for being a scrappy point guard when he used to run the floor as a player, Austin has been a favorite of his players ever since he first picked up the whistle to coach.
"Coach Austin has been with us for several years now, and he has grown into the perfect leader we need to continue to achieve both on and off the court," Express President Marsha Blount stated. "He works tirelessly in the community in which he polices and has bought that same ethic to the sidelines of the Jersey Express."
Blount went on to comment on the overall responsibilities that Austin has accepted in his promotion.
"I am proud to call him head coach and entrust him with the continued development of the players and opportunities that lay before us," she remarked. "His role in the organization has also been expanded to include a position in the marketing department to help build the Express brand throughout the State of New Jersey."
With the first signings for the 2009-10 season already conducted, Austin and the Express recently announced a second open tryout that will take place on Saturday, August 22nd. Through their partnership with the Newark Urban Coordinating Council and Network Youth Basketball of Newark, the tryouts will be taking place from 12-4:00 p.m. at the Westside Park Gym in Newark.
"The Jersey Express is looking for local talent to fill the remaining spots on our roster for the 2009-10 season," Blount said. "We will be signing players from the August 22nd tryout."
Pre-registration for tryouts is available through the Jersey Express website at www.jerseyexpress.net, and the cost for early registration is $75. The fee on the day of tryouts will be $100, with only cash being accepted that day. Players interested in trying out should wear basketball attire and be prepared to do a number of drills that will focus on both skill and overall knowledge of the game. As more information is made available regarding tryouts, it will be posted to the Express website.
Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.
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American Basketball Association Stories from August 6, 2009
- Jersey Express Announce Quaasim Austin as Head Coach - Jersey Express
- New York Red Riders Host Second Summer League Work Out - ABA
- Mississippi Blues Coming To The Coast - Mississippi Blues
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