Lions are Joining the Ohio Valley Conference
(St. Louis, MO) – Exciting changes are coming to St. Charles, Missouri! Lindenwood basketball coach Kyle Gerdeman and his staff are now a Division 1 program. Lions’ athletics is joining the Ohio Valley Conference and instantly everything has changed in Gerdeman’s life and the school’s athletic trajectory.
University President, Dr. John Porter made the announcement on February 23rd and Gerdeman’s stature and phone traffic instantly changed. The Lions will officially leave the Great Lakes Valley Conferene and join the OVC in July, but the transition is in motion.
“Lindenwood is thrilled to join the Ohio Valley Conference as we apply to transition to NCAA Division I.,” Lindenwood President Dr. John Porter said. “A move to NCAA Division I athletics and membership in the OVC enhances our Lindenwood University community in many ways and aligns with our strategic plan– it will drive enrollment, enhance university visibility, and generate revenue. We are eager to begin competition at this next level and look forward to welcoming OVC member schools to our campus beginning this fall.”
Gerdeman says for he and is players, the move is a ‘dream come true’ and that leveling up has invited a wider scope of relationships and interest in him and in the University.
Gerdeman didn’t know the move to the OVC was coming, but in hindsight he can tell what was going on. He tells us the tremendous challenge is filled with great excitement and energy. The fourth-year coach has great respect for the OVC and knows the Lions’ talent level must improve.
Gerdeman & His Goals
Gerdeman has just concluded his third season as the Lions’ head coach. So his previous stops in junior college, Southeast Missouri and at Central Michigan have prepared this Wright City native for this challenge. His father was a long time high school basketball coach and athletic director.
He is a SEMO (OVC) graduate and at Central Michigan he worked with former Drake coach Keno Davis. Gerdeman says his coaching career has been long and rewarding and enjoys coaching near his home town.
While excited about the move to the OVC, Gerdeman admits there are challenges. During his first three years, he dealt with being a first time head coach, moving leagues and an international pandemic. Now the program is moving up in competition level and joining a whole new league.
Gerdeman’s teams play an up-tempo style. During his first three seasons at Lindenwood, his teams have been near the top of the GLVC in scoring average. He wants his teams to make St. Charles County proud. It is a fast-growing area just west and north of St. Louis.
Gerdeman says his teams run and press and score some points.
Building a Roster
Coach Kyle Gerdeman knows the massive task includes building a roster with enough Division 1 talent to compete in the OVC. With the Lions’ top two scorers graduating, there is much work to do. While rosters are in flux across the nation, his current team has two players with Division 1 experience.
Former Southern Illinois Saluki Karrington Davis and former Green Bay Phoenix guard Donovan Moore both have experience at the higher level and have both experienced some injury problems.
Davis is from nearby Chaminade Prep (Bradley Beal, Jayson Tatum) and Moore from Hillsboro, Illinois. Moore transferred in during second semester and will likely be ineligible until second semester next season, but is a plus-athlete and an outstanding defender. Coming into last season at Green Bay, “BlueRibbon Yearbook” said the former Toledo guard’s previous injuries had hampered his ability to perform.
Davis originally signed with Nebraska, but injuries hampered his career there and in Carbondale. He was an all-State performer at Chaminade.
Ten current players have local ties. Including Davis and Moore, there are players from nearby St. Charles County schools and two more from Davis’ Chaminade Prep. Last year’s roster was incredibly young. There were eight freshmen on that squad.
Coach Kyle Gerdeman will be tasked with improving the talent level and getting more experienced players.
Do Good
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As we near the closing of the portal window, we've reached 1900. Some of them never to play college basketball again, earn a college degree and some to play at a much lower level than they did last season.
I guess we'll be seeing this in a @RacersHoops uniform this year. Glad AJ is staying in the @ValleyHoops.
