ALYSA PERRERAS | staff writer
photo | APU ATHLETICS
Women's basketball head coach T.J. Hardeman


Justin Leslie and T.J. Hardeman continue the Cougar basketball coaching tradition.

Amongst the cheers of Felix Event Center, the blackout crazy eight, and the long-standing APU-Biola feud, Cougar basketball has begun.

The 2007-2008 basketball season also introduces two new head coaches who both hope to lead their prospective teams to victory. Men’s head coach Justin Leslie and women’s head coach T.J. Hardeman have been added to the Cougar roster and they both bring a fresh perspective and vision to the program.

“This is where my home is and where my roots are. There was never a question in my mind that I wanted the job,” Leslie said.

Leslie steps into the position formally held by the current Athletic Director Bill Odell.

“It was a difficult process to leave. I had finished 43 years of coaching, but I knew Justin was in place to take the position. I felt it was time to back off from basketball coaching and focus on athletic directing,” Odell said.

Leslie was named the fifth head coach of Cougars men’s basketball on April 12 of this year. Although this will be Leslie’s first year as head coach, he is well prepared for the job.

Odell chose Leslie as his predecessor because of his understanding of the game and his history as a Cougar. Leslie has been a part of Cougar basketball for nineteen years as he attended Cliff Hamlow’s basketball camp in 1988 as a 10-year old. Leslie played as a Cougar under Odell for four years and then went on to serve as assistant coach for the last five.

“Coming from the background that I have weight very heavy on me. I know first hand all of those that I am representing; I know all of those who came before me,” Leslie said.

Although Leslie has been forced to adapt this year with the men’s team suffering multiple injuries, he has not let that affect his out look on the rest of the season.

“I think this is a team that can compete for a conference championship. Every game we should be playing to win and I think that we have a chance at that by working hard everyday no matter what,” Leslie said.

This year’s roster only yields six returnees, all of whom are reserves from last year’s team. As the previous assistant coach, Leslie was deeply involved with the recruitment process, an important part of securing the new Cougars.

When asked why he thought Odell chose him for the position outside his experience with the program, Leslie stated it was his desire.

“I am pretty hungry and I am not afraid to outwork others; that is how I was as a player. I grew up on a farm in a small town and was not handed a whole heck of a lot and I learned to earn it,” Leslie said.

Leslie lives with his wife Joy and their two daughters Jill and Jenna in San Dimas.
photo | APU ATHLETICS
Men's basketball head coach Justin Leslie


Leslie’s game plan for the season calls for a focus on defense and execution as he strives to build tougher players both mentally and physically. However, his long-term goals as head coach reach beyond the court.

“I want to instill a culture of winning in life; men that are going to come out of here and be successful leaders in the church, in the workplace and in their workplace,” Leslie said.

It is not only the men’s team though that has someone new calling the shots. Women’s basketball welcomed coach T.J. Hardeman to the program this season. Hardeman, who was given the position in July of this year, replaces four year coach Danelle Bishop who resigned to accept a similar position at California Baptist University.

Although Hardeman was not heavily involved in the recruitment process, he has been very pleased with the outcome.

“Danelle recruited just great people and we have a great group of girls who want to do well. They are coach-able and they want to do what it takes to be successful. When you have that here at APU it normally means you are going to be successful because the amount of talent we have,” Hardeman said.

Hardeman comes from a basketball background. He played high school basketball and four years at Westmont College, where his father coached and three younger siblings played as well. As a coach, Hardeman has all the experience a team could ask for.

Hardeman joins the Cougars after leaving Hope International University where he coached the women’s tea, for three years and was the GSAC coach of the year in 2006. Before coaching at Hope International, Hardeman spent 20 seasons as a head coach at the high school level in Southern California.

“I knew he would be the best to meet the needs of our women. He has an understanding of the game of basketball through coaching and through his kids,” Odell said.

Hardeman also comes from a missionary background and loves the idea of sports as a ministry tool.

“I want to touch people through sports and reach people who won’t go to church but will go to a basketball game,” Hardeman said.

Although he has only been here for a short period of time, Hardeman has led the women to a strong 5-1 record.

“I am very pleased with what he has done in such a short period of time. I have talked to some of our players and they are very excited about him and the way the program is going,” Odell said.

Just as Leslie hopes to do, Hardeman envisions his time here as head coach to have a significant impact on his players.

“I want to see everyone lifting each other up on-the-court and off= the-court. I think basketball is the funniest game in the world and I want people to have fun playing it. I want them to see that you can both play sports and do something great for the Lord,” Hardeman said.