SLU Coach Majerus Taking Leave Of Absence

The Associated Press

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/08/24/saint-louis-rick-majerus-medical-leave.ap/index.html

Saint Louis basketball coach Rick Majerus is taking a leave of absence for at least the upcoming season.

The university said Friday that assistant coach Jim Crews will direct the team as interim coach, and that a decision hasn’t been made for the 2013-14 season, leaving the door open for Majerus to return.

“I appreciate what Rick has done to return SLU men’s basketball to national prominence, said Rev. Lawrence Biondi, the school president. I know that he would like to be here with his players and coaches this season, and all of us at SLU will keep Rick in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The 64-year-old Majerus is hospitalized in California undergoing evaluation and treatment for an ongoing heart condition, school spokesman Brian Kunderman said.

“His health is the most important issue right now, and our hope is for a full and complete recovery, athletic director Chris May said in a statement.

The school said administrators have spoken with Majerus’ physicians about his condition, but could not provide any additional medical information. Majerus’ cell phone was not accepting messages.

Majerus has a history of heart surgeries dating to 1989, and is on blood thinner medication. He had a stent inserted in his heart last August in Salt Lake City, and missed a handful of games in the 2011-12 season after gashing his leg in a collision with players who had been diving for a loose ball.

Saint Louis was 24-8 last season, Majerus’ fifth with the school, and made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2000. The Billilkens, a typical blend of area, national and international players with key contributors from Australia and New Zealand, advanced to the third round.

Majerus is 95-69 in five seasons at Saint Louis and in 25 seasons he has a career record of 517-216, among the best winning percentages for active coaches, with a dozen NCAA appearances. Saint Louis’ NCAA appearance this spring was a 14-win improvement from the previous season.

Saint Louis’ victory over Memphis in the NCAA tournament was the school’s first since 1998.

Majerus came out of retirement to take on the rebuilding job at Saint Louis in 2007. He left Utah in 2004 after experiencing chest pains, and cited health issues when he backed out of the Southern California job three days after accepting the position.

, SLU Coach Majerus Taking Leave Of Absence

The Associated Press

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/08/24/saint-louis-rick-majerus-medical-leave.ap/index.html

Saint Louis basketball coach Rick Majerus is taking a leave of absence for at least the upcoming season.

The university said Friday that assistant coach Jim Crews will direct the team as interim coach, and that a decision hasn’t been made for the 2013-14 season, leaving the door open for Majerus to return.

I appreciate what Rick has done to return SLU men’s basketball to national prominence, said Rev. Lawrence Biondi, the school president. I know that he would like to be here with his players and coaches this season, and all of us at SLU will keep Rick in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”

The 64-year-old Majerus is hospitalized in California undergoing evaluation and treatment for an ongoing heart condition, school spokesman Brian Kunderman said.

“His health is the most important issue right now, and our hope is for a full and complete recovery, ” athletic director Chris May said in a statement.

The school said administrators have spoken with Majerus’ physicians about his condition, but could not provide any additional medical information. Majerus’ cell phone was not accepting messages.

Majerus has a history of heart surgeries dating to 1989, and is on blood thinner medication. He had a stent inserted in his heart last August in Salt Lake City, and missed a handful of games in the 2011-12 season after gashing his leg in a collision with players who had been diving for a loose ball.

Saint Louis was 24-8 last season, Majerus’ fifth with the school, and made its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2000. The Billilkens, a typical blend of area, national and international players with key contributors from Australia and New Zealand, advanced to the third round.

Majerus is 95-69 in five seasons at Saint Louis and in 25 seasons he has a career record of 517-216, among the best winning percentages for active coaches, with a dozen NCAA appearances. Saint Louis’ NCAA appearance this spring was a 14-win improvement from the previous season.

Saint Louis’ victory over Memphis in the NCAA tournament was the school’s first since 1998.

Majerus came out of retirement to take on the rebuilding job at Saint Louis in 2007. He left Utah in 2004 after experiencing chest pains, and cited health issues when he backed out of the Southern California job three days after accepting the position.