An unlikely meeting
By Micah McVicker | Staff Writer
The ‘Gouard Era’ got underway with an exhibition game against the Division I, University of Tennessee Volunteers on Nov. 3 when the Greyhounds traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. Gouard played under Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl at the University of Southern Indiana from 1992 to 2001.
Gouard earned Division II Player of the Year honors twice under Pearl, and he helped USI win their first national championship in 1995.
“I played in the system and I was really successful; we went 82-12 in my three years,” Gouard said. “[To succeed in the system,] you have to be smart and have good conditioning. You have to know when to turn it on or turn it off.”
Gouard accepted the head coach position on April 3, 2008, taking over for interim coach Royce Waltman. Waltman became interim head coach when Todd Sturgeon resigned on Oct. 1, 2007. Gouard returned to UIndy as the head coach of the Greyhounds after serving for three years as an assistant coach at Indiana State University. He also served as an assistant coach for the Greyhounds from 2002 to 2005 under Sturgeon.
“[Gouard] brings a wealth of knowledge and an enthusiasm that will reinvigorate our program,” said Director of Athletics, Sue Willey.
The Greyhounds competed against the Volunteers, yet lost, 87-73. Donald Cloutier went 6-6 from the field and tallied 15 points to lead the Greyhounds. After the game, Gouard and Pearl shook hands and embraced on the sideline.
On Nov. 6, UIndy hosted IUPUI at the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center. IUPUI took an early lead, 7-0, with 17:56 still on the clock. The ‘Hounds would never take the lead, falling to IUPUI 85-73.
The team opens their regular season on the road Nov. 15 when they take on Taylor University-Fort Wayne.
