Photo highpointpanthers.com


High Point University head men's basketball coach Scott Cherry has hired Mike Balado as an assistant coach for the Panther program.

Balado, a native of Miami Fla., comes to HPU after spending last season as a member of the University of Miami coaching staff. This past season the Hurricanes compiled a 19-13 record and earned a trip to the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).

"Mike is an outstanding addition to our staff and program," said Cherry. "He comes from the University of Miami and has an extensive background in recruiting, not only within the state of Florida, but also in the southeast as a whole. Mike has worked with very successful head coaches like Frank Haith, Rex Walters and Matt Doherty and will bring that experience to our program. He has tremendous basketball knowledge and an ability to relate to student-athletes. I'm very excited to have Mike as a part of our program and the High Point community."

Prior to coaching at Miami, Balado spent three years on staff at Florida Atlantic University. During his tenure, Balado was a key recruiter for FAU. His ability to speak fluent Spanish has made him a strong recruiter on the international scene.

"I am excited and honored to have this opportunity to work for a natural born winner like coach Scott Cherry," Balado says. "He brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to High Point University. The future looks bright for this university's basketball program, and I am thrilled to be a part of it."

Balado spent two seasons at Miami Dade College before taking the post at FAU. While at Miami Dade, he helped lead the Sharks to back-to-back winning seasons, including a program-best 27-5 mark in 2004-2005 en route to the conference championship. He recruited four of MDC's 2004-2005 all-conference selections, including the conference player of the year.

Prior to his time at MDC, Balado spent a year at Nova Southeastern University. He began his collegiate coaching career at Augusta (Ga.) State University where he served as a graduate assistant from 1998-2000.

Balado played collegiate basketball at St. Thomas University in Miami where he was a two year starter and captain. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1998 and added a master's of education in exercise and sport science from Augusta State in 2000.

He married the former Alicia Nigro on June 16, 2007. The two are expecting twins, Aiden and Addy, toward the end of June.


Source:  highpointpanthers.com

Good for him.  Why did he leave UM so quickly though?

fauowls44 said

Good for him.  Why did he leave UM so quickly though?

"High Point University is a private, selective liberal arts university in High Point, North Carolina, USA, affiliated with the United Methodist Church."

They have 3000 students.

Ooft.

Good luck with that.

fauowls44 said

Good for him.  Why did he leave UM so quickly though?

It's a promotion…