July 10, 2009

Contact: Brian McCann

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jayson Gee, who is beginning is fourth season as Associate Head Men's Basketball coach at Cleveland State, has been rated No. 5 on the list of top mid-major assistant coaches in the country by CollegeInsider.com.

The list was released by collegeinsider.com earlier this week.

"It is very flattering to be included on a list that includes so many of my peers who I think so highly of," Gee said. "I can't help but think that I was chosen primarily because of the success that we have had in this program and the leadership that Gary Waters has shown. Without that, this honor wouldn't have happened."

Collegeinsider.com staff writer Jason Belzer compiled the list, considering a number of factors in evaluating each candidate, including "those that have served their time and paid their dues with unquestionable loyalty to their head coaches. . . Other factors that went into the rankings include; overall program success while on staff, total years as an assistant, head coaching experience, recruiting, reputation amongst peers, and future potential."

Gee was fifth on the chart. Gonzaga's Leon Rice led the list followed by Matt Graves of Butler in second, Mitch Buonaguro (Siena) in third and Old Dominion's Jim Corrigan in fourth.

A veteran of 22 seasons of intercollegiate basketball, Gee joined the Viking program in 2006 after three seasons as an assistant/associate coach at St. Bonaventure (2003-06). He has also served as an assistant at Youngstown State (1989-93) and Ohio (1993-96).

Unlike most collegiate assistant coaches, Gee has head coaching experience to assistant him as he served as the head coach at his alma mater, the University of Charleston from 1996-2003).

In seven seasons at Charleston, Gee led the Golden Eagles to a 160-55 record, posting six 20-win campaigns and receiving four NCAA berths.

Since coming to Cleveland State, Gee has been part of a basketball rebirth that has seen the Vikings post back-to-back 20-win season for the first time in two decades.

Last season, Cleveland State went 26-11, won the Horizon League tournament title and went on to defeat Wake Forest in the opening round of the NCAA Championship, one of three victories over ranked opponents during the season.

The Vikings begin practice for the 2009-10 season on Friday, Oct. 16 with a home opener scheduled for early November. Tickets for the upcoming season are available by calling (216) 687-4848.