January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Patrick has big plans for college team
David Patrick, who played for the Canberra Cannons of the National Basketball League in Australia from 1999 to 2001, is now the director of basketball operations at Saint Mary's College (Gaels) in California.
Patrick moved to Saint Mary's from Nicholls State University where he was the assistant basketball coach. The school is just outside of San Francisco.
The Gaels play in same West Coast Conference, which features powerhouse Gonzanga, who lost superstar Adam Morrison to the NBA. "We've been number two for the last three years and can't seem to get over the hump," Patrick said. "We're hoping this is the year."
He added that the team has seven sophomores, so it might be tough to do this season, but so far they are 5-3.
Patrick helps schedule opponents - ones that will help the school gain national recognition. On Saturday they play Seton Hall University in New Jersey and also have big games against the University of Connecticut.
He said the season goal was to get 20 wins, but overall he wants to start recruiting even better players than they have now.
Patrick used his Australian connections to sign Patrick Mills from the Land Down Under.
"We just signed a point guard, who is supposed to be the number one point guard in the world. It's good that he chose us over Wake Forest, Utah and UCLA, which is a big signing for us.
The move up to head of basketball operations is also easier on his family. He doesn't travel with the team to all its road games, which makes for a more conducive family life, especially when you've got a new born like Patrick does.
Besides being the first Bermudian to play professionally, Patrick was a member of Syracuse University's basketball team that was the NCAA's runner-up in the 1996 championship game.
Other career highlights include being Louisiana's high school Player of the Year in 1995, being named the NBL's Rookie of the Year, playing a year for the Chester Jets in the British Basketball League in 2001-02 and a year for Alcora of the LEB1 league in Spain in 2002-03.[[In-content Ad]]
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