Less than four months after leading Harrison into the quarterfinal round of the Class AAAAA state playoffs, coach Robert Churchwell III left for a private school in Virginia.
Staff photo by Jon-Michael Sullivan
Staff photo by Jon-Michael Sullivan
Churchwell, a former Georgetown and NBA player, replaces Sean McAloon, who left to for a job at St. John’s College High School in Chevy Chase, Md.
Churchwell spent the past seven seasons at Harrison. There he mentored three Division I players, led the Hoyas to the Class AAAAA state semifinals and his team opposed highly touted prep school Oak Hill in a game this season.
But Churchwell considers his new job a promotion.
“Benedictine is an incredible institution,” he said. “It’s a place that holds the value (of integrity and discipline) that I have here.”
A graduate of Georgetown, Churchwell played the second half of the 1995-96 NBA season with the Golden State Warriors. He saw only 20 minutes of game action and scored six points in his career.
He was born in South Bend, Ind., but played high school basketball at Gonzaga College High School in Washington. Though he has no connections to Benedictine or the Richmond area, Churchwell said he knows of the school’s rich basketball tradition. He has spoken with coaches in the area to get a lay of the land.
“He’s a Benedictine Cadet,” said John Fogarty, the school’s athletic director.
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I agree with Harrison's Dad assessment. The core of their team graduated last year. They have two good guards coming back that are rising juniors. Other than that, they don't have much returning. Unless someone transfers in, they'll have no size inside.
The timing of Coach Churchwell leaving is tough. Mr. Griggers doesn't have much time to find a good coach for next year. It'll be interesting to see if they give Coach Kemp an opportunity next year to see what he can do with this group.