We would like to extend a warm welcome to Griff Aldrich as the new head coach of Longwood University’s men’s basketball team, while also expressing our hopes for what he can accomplish.

He is a 1996 Hampden-Sydney College (H-SC) graduate and 1999 University of Virginia School of Law graduate who has developed experience as a coach with H-SC, several elite-level Amateur Athletic Union programs and the University of Maryland–Baltimore County (UMBC).

Aldrich spent the last two seasons with UMBC as the men’s basketball team’s director of recruiting and program development, and, as a Longwood release noted, he was key to the Retrievers’ turnaround from NCAA cellar-dweller to America East Champion and NCAA Tournament giant-killer.

It is our hope Aldrich can lead the Lancers to high-level success on the hardwood. Of course, we know this kind of success hardly comes immediately. But applying the appropriate amount of patience, we feel confident we are echoing the thoughts of many in the community when we say that we hope he can make Longwood basketball a household name across the nation like he helped make happen for UMBC.

We also hope Aldrich can lead the Lancers to high-level success off the court, making this happen by combining the hallmarks of Longwood’s citizen-leadership focus and his H-SC insights into forming good men and good citizens.

While coaching and recruiting will obviously hold a monopoly on Aldrich’s time, he will, like his predecessors, also be a significant presence in the community.

In recent years, the Lancers haven’t had the success that was desired, but former Head Coach Jayson Gee nevertheless had a strong and positive impact in the community. This came both through his personal involvement in a variety of events and programs and through his openness in sharing his family’s story.

It is our hope Aldrich can form a similarly strong connection with the Heart of Virginia as he returns to it in this new role.