May 24, 2004

Grand Valley State University head men's basketball coach Ric Wesley announced the hiring of Burt Paddock as his top assistant coach for the 2004-05 season. Paddock comes to GVSU after spending two years as the head assistant coach at St. Joseph's College (Ind.).

"My family and I are extremely excited to become a part of the basketball program here at Grand Valley State University," said Paddock. "Coaching positions of this magnitude are rare and I appreciate the opportunity I have been given."

While at St. Joseph's College, Paddock helped lead his team to two conference tournament appearances and a record of 26-30. Prior to St. Joseph's College, Paddock was the head assistant varsity boy's basketball coach at Alexandria-Monroe High School from 1997-2000. While he was there, Alexandria-Monroe advanced to the Indiana High School Basketball Athletic Association Final Four and claimed two conference titles.

"As an assistant to former Purdue player Linc Darner at St. Joseph's College he has done a great job of recruiting the Midwest," said Wesley. "He has had a lot of experience in the areas I felt were important including on the floor coaching, recruiting, strength/conditioning and office responsibilities."

"Coach Paddock will fit well with Coach Jason Larson to give us an outstanding staff here at Grand Valley State University," added Wesley.

Burt earned his Bachelor's of Science degree from Manchester College (Ind.) in Business Administration in 1997. Paddock is the Spartans' second all-time leader scorer (1,989) and recorded the most points ever scored in a game (50). During his first two seasons, Manchester went 54-5 and was the NCAA Division III National Champion Runners-Up. Paddock was a four-time all-conference pick, conference freshman of the year, a second-team All-American as a junior and a first-team All-American as a senior.

"Coach Paddock is a great addition to our staff," said Wesley. "He was a tremendous player for Coach Steve Alford while at Manchester College." "He lead his team to the Division III National Championship game his sophomore year there," added Wesley.

"The extraordinary facilities and the outstanding level of competition our teams' display, will prove to be a great selling point in recruiting, which in turn will allow us to reach our goal of producing the best basketball Grand Valley State can achieve," said Paddock.

"Grand Valley State University is a DII academic and athletic power and we look forward to continuing that tradition," added Paddock.

Burt and his wife, the former Carrie Michele Davis, have one daughter Hannah Leigh.