It’s a new era at Truman College. The Truman College Men’s Basketball team has a new coach, and a new system.
The man ushering in the new era is seasoned veteran Coach John Cooksey. He’s completely new to the Truman program, so this means he has to build his program one player at a time.
Truman College is offering an attractive package for young students looking to get a good education along with playing the game of basketball…. For Free!!!
I won’t give out all the cookies just yet, because we reached out to the newly hired coach to inquire more information about his new basketball program.
Skewln.com: What attracted you to the Truman College Basketball job?
Coach Cooksey: The fact it was a total rebuilding (or building) of the program. That it is located in one of the best cities for community college basketball players.
Skewln.com: Coach Cooksey, what type of student athletes are you looking for?
Coach Cooksey: I’ve been doing this a long time, so I’ve really tried to focus on guys that want to go to school. Of course they need to have skills, but I want guys that want to be here. In a city this size, those guys are out there…you just have to do your homework to find them.
Skewln.com: Every coach has a way they like the game to be played, what’s your basketball philosophy?
Coach Cooksey: I like speed and I like possessions. I’d like to see games with 100+ possessions. Controlled chaos.
Skewln.com: What type of benefits would be in store for a young student athlete that decided to come play for Truman?
Coach Cooksey: If they totally commit to basketball and school: the opportunity to compete at a high level and earn a college degree.
Skewln.com: What division does Truman College fall under, and what are some of the schools Truman College plays throughout the season?
Coach Cooksey: NJCAA Division 1 Highland CC Sauk Valley CC Kankakee CC Other City Colleges: Kennedy-King, Daley, Olive-Harvey, Malcolm X
Skewln.com: What is the graduation rate for the student athlete in the Basketball program?
Coach Cooksey: That remains to be seen. We have two sophomores (out of two) graduating this year.
Skewln.com: Do scouts attend Truman College games, and if so how often?
Coach Cooksey: As the program’s profile improves, the attendance of university coaches will improve.
Skewln.com: How many available scholarships?
Coach Cooksey: Currently 10
Skewln.com: How many games does Truman play in the regular season?
Coach Cooksey: 30
Skewln.com: Do you encourage parent involvement with your basketball program?
Coach Cooksey: Certainly. Although they must understand my agenda for our program may differ from their personal agenda for their son. The one thing we always agree on is the pursuit of the degree.
Skewln.com: Lastly, if you had to sum up to a young undecided student why Truman College is the best place to play over an traditional expensive school, what would you say to him?
Coach Cooksey: If a young man had a scholarship offer from a four-year school and he qualified academically, I would probably tell him to take it. Our goal is to help prepare them for that level. So if he is already academically, socially and athletically ready…quite frankly, there is no need to come here. I root for guys to make their test scores…but if they don’t, Truman could be a great option.
For more information on the program contract Coach Cooksey at @ 773-907-4887 or via email @ Jcooksey3@ccc.edu
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