Martin hire brings potential for long-term connection
A long-term contract for Mizzou’s men’s basketball program may bring a stronger connection to an area one local alum called a “tough nut to crack.”
The school offered Cuonzo Martin the role as head coach of men’s basketball Wednesday, reported to be worth $3 million a year for the next seven years. If Martin coached the full term of that contract, it would be the longest tenure a head coach has served in the program since Norm Stewart left in 1999 after 32 seasons.
Wally Pfeffer, a board member of the Boone County Alumni Association, was pleased with Martin’s coaching experience across the county and his St. Louis connection. He previously worked as head coach of the Missouri State, Tennessee and Cal programs, as well as several years as an assistant at Purdue University. Pfeffer said Martin’s hometown of East St. Louis may make it easier for him to recruit the area, which has seen several high-profile athletes leave the state for other programs.
“I’m hoping that his ties there in St. Louis can bring us some of the top prospects in that area and lock the state down, which was one time one of the goals of one of our athletic directors, was to try and make sure that none of the top recruits from the state of Missouri left here,” Pfeffer told ABC 17 News.
The men’s basketball program also carries with it tens of millions of dollars in sales around town. ABC 17 News reported last week that the program accounted for $11.4 million in sales from July 2014 to June 2015, or about 4 percent of the money brought in through athletics in that time. Megan McConachie with the Columbia Conventions and Visitors Bureau said unlike football games, basketball games did not bring people into town for extended stays. Athletic Director Jim Sterk said in a statement Wednesday that he hoped the hire would reinvigorate fans to attend games.
The job also comes with the chance to connect with social services and charities in town, Pfeffer said. He hoped that Martin would find a cause close to his heart in Columbia, and contribute to it.
“We’ve traditionally had a lot of great support here in the community for a lot of great social service organizations and charities that they’ve taken under their wing, and that’s been a great part of being here in Columbia,” Pfeffer said.
