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COACH PROFILE: Mark Sherrill Guiding the Wildcats Men's Basketball Rise

3/26/2020 3:24:00 PM

By: Chris Myers
***With the unfortunate end to the 2020 spring semester of Wildcats athletics, we want to take this opportunity to help everyone get to know the Fort Valley State coaching staff better in this quiet sports time.

Many of the Wildcats coaches have only been at The Valley a short time and hope these Coach Profiles brings more insight to the great individuals we have leading our 12 intercollegiate squads***
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FORT VALLEY, Ga. -- After having a record-setting playing career and long run on his alma mater's coaching staff, the Wildcats welcomed its newest men's basketball director. Mark Sherrill took over the reigns at the beginning of the 2018 fall semester and completed his second campaign leading the Wildcats men's hoops program.
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There are not many players at any level of collegiate hoops, who scored as many points as the FVSU head coach. Sherrill earned NCAA Division II All-America status and netted 2,552 points in his career playing (1988-92) for the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls. Coach Sherrill then spent 26 years as the top assistant coach for his alma mater until getting the call to take over the Wildcats direction.

Let's get to know the Wildcats head coach better in this question and answer session:

What did you want to be growing up?
I wanted to be like professional basketball player Dr. J (Julius Erving). His movie "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh" was the deciding factor. I also wanted to be in public service. My two favorite uncles served as a firefighter and police officer. I was fascinated by becoming a secret service officer, and wanting to follow in their footsteps.
 
Where are you originally from and what makes that area unique/something interesting about it?
I am from Durham, N.C., the city of medicine and the best basketball in the world, with great teams like Duke, UNC, N.C. State and North Carolina Central, growing up in such a city created a winning mindset in me.
 
Where did you graduate from and what was your major?
I graduated from Johnson C. Smith University, my major was Sociology with a minor in Criminal Justice.
 
How long have you been at The Valley?
I have been in The Valley for only two years.
 
What drew you to FVSU?
My almighty God! See, I was at my last school for over 25 years and one night I asked God to deliver me my own chance to become a head coach, so I wrote down my prayers and goals and in less than five days, I received a call from FVSU and my prayers were answered.
 
Where did you start coaching and how long have you been coaching?
I started coaching at Johnson C. Smith University, I have been in coaching for over twenty years.
 
How would you like your student-athletes to see you as what type of a coach?
Firm, but fair, and someone they can trust and help them figure out this life thing.
 
What brought you into this coaching profession?
Once again God, I always prayed to be an inspiration and a motivation to the lives I touch, and God said, "Do it through coaching."
 
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Coach Sherrill instructing the Wildcats bench during the exhibition game at Duke University last October.

What would you be doing if you weren't coaching?
Being a productive citizen and possibly in some form of law enforcement.
 
Biggest athletic accomplishment as an athlete and as a coach?
I have had so many great athletic accomplishments as I am not sure where to start. In high school, it was being named an McDonald's All-American nominee. In college, it was being selected an All-American, and receiving my own day by my University President. I was also the University's all-time leading scorer and had my jersey retired twice. As a coach, it has been recruiting All-Americans, winning championships, NCAA tournament appearances, and making it to the NCAA Elite Eight.
 
A proud coaching moment to share?
Convincing my team/players, if they endure the process and accept me pushing them, it will put them in place to win a championship. The greatest moment was watching the players and University celebrate winning championships.
 
What is a funny story from a trip you were on with a team?
We were heading up north and the bus driver decided to take a short cut, and he, after driving for hours, decided to say he was lost. One of the players said, "You got us lost out here!"...The bus driver was agitated and said, "Kiss my _ _ _,"...the player responded, "I cannot, because it's lost!"
 
Favorite team restaurant stop?
Subway or Chick-fil-A
 
A unique fact about you?
I dream of being a singer on the level as Prince on stage dancing and singing in front of thousands of fans.
 
Favorite place you have seen or experience you have had due to coaching?
Coaching has taken me around the world, and i have met many wonderful individuals from Australia to Fort Valley, Georgia.
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With the driven and decorated coach Sherrill at the helm, all Wildcats fans know the program will continue to develop and be primed to challenge for Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles and beyond in the coming days.
 
 

 
-Wildcats-
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