Ex-Redbird Slack to coach Bloomington Express

Posted on September 27, 2016

By WJBC Staff

ST. LOUIS – A face familiar to basketball fans at U.S. Cellular Coliseum will be patrolling the bench for the Midwest Professional Basketball Association’s Bloomington Express in 2017.

Anthony Slack, who played two-plus seasons for the Bloomington Flex and starred at Illinois State University, has agreed to become the team’s head coach.

“I couldn’t be more enthusiastic about coaching the Express,” said Slack. “To coach where I played collegiately and professionally is a special opportunity. I hope to instill in my players the defensive intensity that I played with, and that they need to help distinguish themselves to advance to the next level. I’ve been where they’re looking to go, and I think I can help them get there.”

The 6’8” native of New Orleans played for the then-Central Illinois Drive in 2012, and with the Flex in 2014-15, earning MPBA All-Defensive Team and unanimous All-MPBA honors in 2015, when he averaged 14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game over 20 games. Slack was second in the league in rebounding in 2015, and led the league in blocked shots.

“I’m excited to have Anthony Slack agree to coach in the MPBA,” said A.J. Guyton, associate commissioner and director of basketball personnel for the MPBA, as well as Slack’s coach in Bloomington in 2012 and 2014. “He brings an unrivaled work ethic and experience at almost all levels of basketball. I’m very familiar with his work ethic, education, and commitment to community. Anthony fits right in with the overall goal of the MPBA, and I’m sure he will be successful as a head coach with our new Bloomington franchise.”

Prior to playing in Bloomington, Slack played in Germany, Ukraine, and in the top league in Austria, where he was a key member of Allianz Swans Gmunden’s run to the championship game and the league’s best record.

In 2008, as a senior at Illinois State University, Slack earned Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors for a Redbird squad that went 25-10, averaging 9.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. Prior to attending ISU, Slack played at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kansas, where he led the team to two conference championships and a top-10 national tournament finish. Slack then served as an assistant coach at Coffeyville in 2013-14.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…