Men's Basketball

DURAN STEPS DOWN AS HEAD MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH 

University of La Verne Director of Athletics Christopher Ragsdale has announced the resignation of men's basketball coach Gabe Duran, who leaves ULV after five seasons at the helm and 11 seasons affiliated with the Leopard men's basketball program. Duran's resignation is effective June 30.

Ragsdale also announced that he will begin a national search for the position immediately.

"I appreciate the effort and energy Gabe put into the growth of our men's basketball program over the last four years," Ragsdale said. "He is an incredibly classy individual who represented the University of La Verne and our community with all that was right. We will look for someone to continue Gabe's passion and commitment."

Upon his graduation from La Verne in 1998, Duran served five seasons as head coach and four seasons as an assistant coach. After two seasons as an assistant in 1998-99 and 1999-00, he took on the role of interim head coach during the 2000-01 season before returning as an assistant in 2001-02 and 2002-03. He was named head basketball coach at the start of the 2003-04 campaign.

"Words cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity to coach basketball here at my alma mater," Duran said. "With the renovation of the SSAP nearing completion, the future of the men's basketball program and the athletic department as a whole is bright. ULV will forever hold a special place in my heart and I will always be a Leopard."

Duran arrived at La Verne as a transfer from Mendocino College in 1996 and was the starting point guard at ULV during his junior and senior seasons.  He was named the University's Scafani Award winner as the school's top senior male athlete in 1998.