Men's Basketball - Aurora University

Meet the Coaching StaffJAMES LANCASTERHead Coach13th SeasonJames Lancaster is beginning his 13thseason as the Head Coach of AuroraUniversity’s men’s basketball program.Prior to becoming the men’s coach,Lancaster coached AU’s women’s programfor four seasons.During his tenure as the men’s Head Coach, Lancaster hasamassed a composite record of 215-99. In January of lastseason against Eureka College, Lancaster became thewinningest coach in AU basketball history as he recorded his208th career victory. Currently, Lancaster is 27th in winsamong the NCAA Men’s Basketball active coaches and 31st inwins all-time. His Spartans won back-to-back titles in theNorthern Illinois-Iowa Conference twice in 1996-1997 and1998-1999 and again in 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. He also ledthe men’s program to their first ever NCAA Division III playoffappearance in 1998 and his team repeated that performancein 2001, 2003 and 2005. In 2005, AU hosted their first NCAAmen’s basketball tournament game. Lancaster was namedNIIC “Coach of the Year” a total of five times, back-to-backtwice in 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 and 2003-2004 and 2004-2005. In his first season as AU’s men’s coach in 1994-1995, hewas tabbed as the NIIC’s “Coach of the Year.” That gave himthe unusual distinction of winning that award back-to-back asa women’s coach in (1993-1994) and as a men’s coach.In addition to success in terms of won-lost records,Lancaster has built the AU program into one recognized forbeing competitive with an annually strong schedule, boastingDREW GRONAUAssistant Coach(First Season)Drew Gronau joins CoachLancaster’s coaching staff after completinga decorated career as an AUbasketball player. Gronau played forthe Spartans from 2001-2005. He wasnamed NIIC Honorable Mention twice and NIIC All-Conference once. In 2005, he became the 20th player in AUhistory to reach the prestigious 1,000 point club for acareer. Gronau was on the 2002 team that reached theNCAA Division III tournament. He and his fellow Spartansrecorded an opening round victory against Trinity (TX)University before being knocked out in the second round.Gronau is a 2005 graduate of Aurora University.top-flight opponents. One of the biggest highlights for themen’s basketball team was a first-round victory at Trinity (TX)University in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. AU has dominatedthe Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference under Lancaster, going94-31 in the past 11 years, for a .752 winning percentage.A 1986 graduate of Aurora University (with a bachelor’sdegree in physical education), Lancaster was an assistantcoach for the AU men’s team from 1986 to 1990. Lancasterplayed two seasons for AU (1984-1986). As a senior, he wasnamed All Northern Illinois Intercollegiate Conference andAU’s male Athlete of the Year. Lancaster was also the Spartans’MVP. Lancaster went on to earn his master’s degree fromChicago State University in 1999. Prior to attending AU,Lancaster attended Wabash Community College, where heplayed for one of the nation’s top junior college programs.While at WCC, Lancaster was teammates with former NBA starKenny Norman. Lancaster also enjoyed a stand-out prepcareer at Taylorville High School. He was elected into theTaylorville H.S. Hall of Fame in 2006.As head coach of AU’s women’s program, Lancaster had acomposite 58-42 record, including a 32-8 record in the NIIC.During this time his teams had a pair of second-place finishes(1991 and 1992), and won back-to-back NIIC titles in 1993 and1994. The 1993-94 team qualified for the NCAA post-seasonplayoffs for the first time in the school’s history. In 1997-98they made the NCAA Tournament.Lancaster and his wife, Michele, have four daughters,Baylee, Kelsey, Jenna and Delaney. They reside in Sugar Grove.In addition to his duties as men’s basketball coach, Lancasteris also the Director of Freshman Recruitment.JABARI HARRELLAssistant CoachFifth SeasonJabari Harrell joined the men’s coachingstaff in the 2002-2003 season. Harrellplayed three years on the Spartan men’sbasketball team. He was the team captainof the varsity basketball team from 1997to 2001. He was named NIIC All-Conference his sophomore,junior and senior years. Jabari was also named Co-Conference Player of the Year his senior season. In 1998, hewas a part of the first NCAA Division III playoff team andreturned to the playoffs with the Spartans in 2001. Harrell isthe all-time assist leader at Aurora University.A 2002 graduate of Aurora University, Harrell earned hisdegree in recreation administration. He currently is AssistantDirector of Student Activities and Intramural/Rec-TimeCoordinator at AU.DYLAN DRUGAN ADAM BERLIN CAROLYN SLUSSERVolunteer Assistant Student Assistant Student Manager2