George Mason head men’s basketball coach Paul Hewitt has announced the addition of Eric Skeeters as assistant coach. Skeeters joins the Patriots following four seasons at the University of South Florida.
“We are very pleased to add Eric to our coaching staff here at George Mason,” said Hewitt, who begins his third season at the helm of Patriots basketball in 2013-14. “He is a veteran of 20 years and has a reputation as being a very good coach. I also like the fact that he is well-known and well-respected in the Mid-Atlantic region.”
Skeeters was a member of the Bulls’ staff since 2009, where he helped lead the BIG EAST squad to its first NCAA Tournament bid in 20 years. It came in 2012, when the Bulls defeated California and Temple before falling to Ohio in the round of 32.
Prior to his arrival in Tampa, Skeeters was a member of the staff at Towson University for six seasons, and also served as an assistant at Virginia Tech, Youngstown State, along with his alma mater, Coppin State. Skeeters has worked with a number of NBA and international professional players, including the San Antonio Spurs’ Gary Neal and a close relationship with the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony.
A 1986 graduate of Woodlawn High School in Baltimore, Skeeters got his start as the junior varsity coach and assistant varsity coach at Baltimore’s St. Frances Academy from 1992-96 under coach William Wells. Skeeters also coached two prominent AAU teams in the Washington/Baltimore area, the DC Assault from 1995-96 and the Baltimore’s Best/Baltimore Select squads from 1992-94.
Skeeters was awarded a bachelor’s in management science from Coppin State in 1997. He earned an associate’s degree in 1991 from Catonsville Community College, where he played lacrosse and basketball for two seasons, leading his region in assists in 1990.
A standout point guard in basketball and a midfielder in lacrosse at Woodlawn High, Skeeters earned all-county honors in lacrosse during his playing days. He competed in both basketball and lacrosse throughout his athletic career that began as a youngster at St. Mark’s School in the Catonsville Midget League. A knee injury suffered at Catonsville C.C. eventually ended his collegiate career.
“Eric began his coaching career in the Baltimore area coaching both high school and AAU basketball and has built an outstanding resume,” Hewitt added. “I also take great comfort in the fact that I have known Eric for over 20 years and consider him a very good friend. Again, we are very pleased to add him to our staff.”
Skeeters joins a Patriots team that begins its third season under Hewitt with all five starters returning off of a College Basketball Invitational runner-up finish and 22-16 record.
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Chris Graham
