Gary Lumpkin, a stand-out basketball player who led William Penn High School (WPHS) to a state championship before graduating in 1995, was named the new varsity basketball coach for the Colonials by the Board of Education last night. Lumpkin, who was also an outstanding student and basketball star at Xavier University, now teaches English with a Master’s Degree at WPHS. He also enjoyed a lengthy basketball career in Finland, France, and in the American Basketball Association for the Kentucky ProCats.
“It has been a goal and dream of mine to become the coach of the boys’ basketball program at my alma mater. I was able to enjoy success on and off the court…I am excited about the opportunity to help lead this program to succeed academically and athletically.” Lumpkin said.
Athletic Director Matt Sabol is equally excited about the move. “Gary is a great fit…he loves and knows the game of basketball and really enjoys teaching the game to kids. He puts kids first; you see that when you walk in his classroom as well as when watching him interact with kids on the court. We are lucky to have this great alumnus leading the cherry red and black for years to come on the basketball court!” Sabol said.
Lumpkin replaces Coach Steve Christensen who stepped down after six years to spend more time with his children.