Photo Gallery - Coach Sless in Action
Written by Jason Plotkin, Director of Athletic Media Relations
When over 200 candidates applied for the University of New Orleans men's basketball vacancy, athletic director Amy Champion and her search committee were overwhelmed by the number of quality candidates.
Individuals with track records of success at the high school, college and professional level as players or coaches put their name in the mix for the position.
“It was the greatest feeling knowing these individuals want to come to this institution and take on this opportunity and live in this great city,” said Champion shortly after the search.
Ultimately, the search committee narrowed the field down to a handful of finalists with Northwestern State assistant coach
Mark Slessinger being tabbed the Privateers' head coach.
At the press conference announcing his hire, Slessinger made it clear that it was time to take UNO back to the city.
“We can't wait for the city to come to UNO,” said Slessinger at his June 29
th, 2011 press conference. ”Each day, my goal here is to win somebody for the university, win somebody for our program.”
Staying true to his word, Slessinger has been one of the most vocal and visible supporters the University has ever had, becoming a regular at campus and community events alike.
On campus, the first-year head coach not only attends other Privateer sporting events, but is a constant presence walking the halls of different buildings.
Whether he is peeking his head into a classroom to make sure his student-athletes are attentive to their professors or inviting departments to come to Lakefront Arena, there is never any quit for Slessinger.
During the fall semester, he met with several key leadership groups including the Student Government and UNO Ambassadors. Slessinger also visited with representatives from campus life, university housing and the UNO International Alumni Association, amongst others.
“More than just being the basketball coach, I am a proud employee of the University of New Orleans and it is important for staff, students, faculty to build interaction and relationship at each opportunity possible,” said Slessinger. “That can only be done by getting out on campus and having face-to-face with people on a weekly basis.”
One of the key elements of the face-to-face interaction was a well-attended 'Mid-day Madness' event held prior to the basketball season at the Human Performance Center that attracted over 500 students. The preseason celebration allowed his team to join their head coach in interacting with the students on campus.
“In the big vision of building our program, we emphasize each week how important it is for our student athletes to be the salesmen and promoters for our program,” said Slessinger. “They interact with their fellow students on a daily basis in ways that I cannot get to them and they have the unique opportunity to simply ask for support from their fellow students and to help rebuild the tradition of student support for UNO basketball.”
Slessinger and his wife, Toni also made it a point to attend other campus functions, including “Jazz at the Sandbar”, where he had the opportunity to visit with jazz legend Ellis Marsalis.
Slessinger feels that the campus is a selling point for potential students and provides excellent opportunities for the current students as well.
“One of the great misconceptions about UNO is that it does not have a good on-campus life,” explained Slessinger. “When in reality, it has a very rich and diverse campus experience for students that live on campus.”
“This is even better now with the Cove re-opening, giving our students one of the more unique campus experiences in the state and probably in the country. I am not sure what schools have a night club, an avenue for performing arts, a meeting place, a great eating outlet within a stone's throw of Lake Ponchartrain.”
In the community, it is no different for Slessinger, who set out to meet with local community and civic organizations that neighbor the UNO campus prior to the start of basketball season.
Often with a member of his team in tow, the head coach visited the Gentilly Terrace and Gardens Improvement Association, the Milneburg Neighborhood Association and the Lake Vista Property Owners Association right in UNO's backyard.
“Reaching out the area associations was one of the most important things that we did early, because I feel that a key to our sustained growth is to work from the inside out,” said Slessinger. “Our immediate neighborhood and vicinity not only boasts great neighbors, friends and supporter, it has a huge concentration of proud UNO alums”.
“It is important to ask them for support and be behind their alma mater and their school, but secondly in that we are interested in what is going on in their community. This is particularly the case with me living here in Gentilly as I want them to know that I am an engaged neighbor as well.”
The meetings also proved to be a great experience for at least one of the players –
Brandon Knight – who is studying in urban planning.
“When Brandon went with me to one of the meetings, he met an urban planner from the city of New Orleans, providing him a chance to see his major in action,” said Slessinger. “This insight into a real-life experience would not have happened otherwise.”
When not speaking to groups in the community or aiding at youth basketball events, the outreach has been a team effort which at times has gotten the players' hands dirty.
During the fall semester, the squad participated in three major community service projects.
In September, the Privateers took part in ServeNOLA's 9/11 Tribute Through Service program. Other involvement throughout the semester included participation in Mayor Mitch Landrieu's “Fight the Blight” and a project with the St. Paul's Homecoming Center in fixing up the Broadmoor Playspot.
“I was proud of the strides we made in getting involved in our city and building a culture with our program that we are going to give back,” said Slessinger. “We thought we had a good first semester in laying that groundwork for the future and are excited to continue the projects we started with several more on the horizon to grow.
With all this being said, Slessinger makes it known often that he is in it for the long haul.
As he explained in his press conference, “UNO is my dream job and where I want to be.”
“This University is heading in a positive direction and I am glad to work here at a time of some of the most significant changes since Dr. Hitt was Chancellor,” said Slessinger. “With Dr. Fos coming in as our new leader and President, I am excited as much about the direction of our university, as equally as I am excited about the direction of our athletic program.”
“As we change and grow, I am anxious to continue grow and rebuild our proud program.”
