This article is from the EMU News Archive. The approximate date of publication was in March 2003. Current EMU news is available at www.emu.edu/news
TO EMU HEADLINE NEWS | EMU ATHLETICS |
Baker Resigns Position at EMU
Larry R. Martin, director of athletics at Eastern Mennonite University, has accepted the resignation of Royals Head Men’s Basketball Coach Thomas S. (Tom) Baker, effective immediately.
Baker will continue as an instructor in the physical education department at EMU through the end of the current school year and will conduct his annual Hoops Basketball Camp at EMU, July 14-18, Martin said.
"Coach Baker has indicated that under the current circumstances he does not have the energy to continue at EMU and has elected to pursue other interests. We wish him only the best in his new endeavors," stated Martin.
"Tom Baker has exhibited excellent administrative skills, is organized, intelligent, and completed any assignment I gave him enthusiastically and on time. I am not sure of his future goals, however, if he decides not to continue coaching he would make an excellent athletic administrator," Martin said, adding: "Tom has become a good friend in my two years as athletic director at EMU. The entire athletic department and myself will miss greatly his camaraderie, sense of humor and teamwork as a member of our department."
Baker joined the EMU athletics department in 1992 and compiled an 89-184 record in 11 seasons. His best year was 1997-98 when the Royals finished 11-7 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and 16-9 overall.
"I want to thank the many people that I have had the privilege of working with during my 11 years at EMU - assistant coaches, student athletes, colleagues and opposing coaches," Coach Baker said. "I cherish these relationships and will miss them greatly. However, I believe it is best for my family and me that I explore other career opportunities at this time."
A nationwide search will begin immediately to find a new head men’s basketball coach, Martin said.
Posted: March 10, 2003
