Ernst Named Top Assistant

BasketballScoop.com and ONS Performance™, makers of Critical Reload, announced today, May 4 the winners of the "Rising Stars" awards. The awards recognize those assistant coaches who are some of the best in the business as determined by their peers.

Associate head coach Charlie Ernst of The University of Findlay men's basketball team was one of five assistant coaches and the only non-NCAA Division I winner to capture the award.

Coaches were evaluated in the following areas: recruiting, player development, team development/scouting, leadership and administration.

With nearly 20 years of coaching experience under his belt, Ernst and the Oilers had their most successful season on the court in 2008-09. The Oilers went 36-0 and won the NCAA Division II National Championship.

Ernst, who leads the defense and is the recruiting coordinator, "deserves a huge amount of credit" says head coach Ron Niekamp. "Charlie is a great coach and a great person. He has done everything we have ever asked of him and more. The players love him and he does a great job on the court. Charlie is a great ambassador for the University of Findlay."

Other recipients of the award include:

Chris Mack, Xavier
Leon Rice, Gonzaga
Billy Schmidt, Dayton
Dedrique Taylor, Arizona State