Luke Flockerzi enters his first year as head coach of the Skidmore College men’s basketball program. Flockerzi brings with him a wealth of experience after serving as a top assistant at some of the premier programs in Division III. He has already appeared in 6 NCAA Tournaments, including four Sweet Sixteens and two Final Fours. His accomplishments as an assistant coach have been acknowledged with honors such as the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year (2003) and head coach of the New England Basketball Coaches Association all-star game (2004).
In four seasons as an assistant at Amherst College, Flockerzi helped lead the Lord Jeffs to a 101-21 overall record (2001-04; 05-06), claiming two NESCAC Tournament Championships, two regular season championships, four “Little Three” championships and four NCAA Tournament appearances (two Final Fours, an Elite Eight and a Sweet Sixteen). Last season at the University of Rochester, he helped coach the team to its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance and an overall record of 18-8. In addition, he also spent the 2004-05 season at Sewanee: The University of the South under head coach Joe Thoni where he helped lead the team to its best record in 10 years and a conference championship appearance.
Flockerzi has had the opportunity to work with some of the keenest basketball minds at this level, spending a combined 5 years under the tutelage of David Hixon and Mike Neer, 30-year coaching veterans who are widely regarded as two of the premier active coaches in Division III. The two have combined for 1,060 victories, 2 National Coach of the Year awards, 22 NCAA Championship appearances, 6 Final Fours, 4 National Championship games, and two National Titles. “Luke is a terrific young coach,” said Hixon. “He has all the pieces. His impact in our program, which culminated in a National Championship this year (2007), was immense.”
At each stop along the way, Flockerzi has exhibited the ability to recruit high quality student-athletes who have been recognized with some of the highest awards and nominations at this level: NABC National Player of the Year, Jostens Trophy Nominee, Academic All-American, NCAA All-Tournament MVP, Conference (NESCAC) MVP and Conference (NESCAC) Rookie of the Year. In addition, he helped recruit the three winningest classes in Amherst College history, as well as Amherst’s all-time assist leader and 3rd all-time leading scorer.
Flockerzi brings a student-athlete-centered approach, having been a successful student-athlete at Division III offensive power Grinnell College. A two-time captain at Grinnell, Flockerzi helped lead the Pioneers to four straight scoring titles, including a 18.2 ppg average and a Midwest Conference Championship in his senior year. He earned his master’s degree from the nationally renowned sports management program at the University of Massachusetts in 2002.
Kiernan Gordon begins his first season as an assistant coach at Skidmore. Gordon completed his master's degree in sport studies at High Point University (NC) in May 2007. In 2006-07, he interned at the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) for Fred Barakat, former Associate Commissioner/Director of Men's Basketball Operations. His work with the ACC included heavy involvement in the management of the 2007 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament.
In 2005-06, Gordon helped High Point head coach Bart Lundy with the operations of the Panther basketball program.
Gordon is a graduate of the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC), where he served as an assistant coach to Gordie Johnson for three seasons from 2002-05. At Santa Cruz, Gordon served as recruiting coordinator, managed the strength and conditioning program, and oversaw the development of UCSC's post players.
Gordon is a veteran of the national camp circuit, having worked camps at Air Force, Davidson, Wake Forest, UCLA, and UCSC. Coach Gordon will help tutor the Skidmore post players and manage the strength and conditioning program for the Thoroughbreds. In addition to his duties with the basketball program, Gordon also serves as a Residence Hall Director for the College.
John Lea enters his second season as an assistant coach at Skidmore. A native of Albany, NY, Lea brings six years of prior coaching experience at the high school level, serving as both an assistant and a head varsity coach at South Glens Falls High School. Lea played his high school ball locally at Schenectady High School (formerly Linton High School).
Coach Lea is very active on the recruiting front and will help tutor the Skidmore backcourt players. In addition to helping the Thoroughbreds, Lea works as a mental health worker/ athletic assistant at Four Winds Hospital. Lea resides in Saratoga Springs with his wife Annareta and family.
