Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ray Shovlain has returned to St. Ambrose University for his 42nd season, bringing with him a wealth of experience and leadership after overcoming recent health challenges.

Though he missed much of last year due to health issues, Coach Shovlain is back and eager to guide the men’s basketball team on the court. “All these challenges that I’ve been through here over the last nine months… it’s the one thing that got me going,” says Coach Shovlain.

Under his leadership, the St. Ambrose Bees have now started the season with a perfect 5-0 record, a promising sign of what’s to come.

When reflecting on his team, Coach Shovlain expressed his confidence, saying, “We have a group that’s very talented and full of very quality people.”

The Bees’ roster is stacked with returning talent, including key seniors like Will Spriggs and Guillermo Narbona, whose leadership and experience are crucial to the team’s success. These veterans provide a solid foundation for the team as they look to make this season one of the best in recent years.

“It feels good,” says senior Will Spriggs. “It’s a very nice feeling to have somebody that pushes through adversity and a lot of the the things that he went through. It’s nice to have somebody in that leaderhship role to guide the team”

While the team has new faces, Coach Shovlain remains optimistic about their integration into the group. “The one thing that’s been excellent is our senior leadership blending in with our new players,” he said.

This seamless blend of seasoned veterans and fresh talent has created an exciting atmosphere within the team. The Bees are eager to build on their early success and continue to improve as the season progresses, aiming to make a strong impact both on the court and in the conference.

Click here for more on Coach Ray’s journey since his return to the court.