The guard changes
Carroll College didn't have to look anywhere else to find the perfect replacement for retired men's head basketball coach Gary Turcott. The best choice was already on their staff.
Former associate head coach Brandon Veltri accepted the role on Thursday during a press conference in the Carroll P.E. Center gymnasium, leading the Saints into a new era after 19 years under Turcott's instruction. Turcott announced his retirement on April 2.
"I am very, very proud to be able to hire Brandon Veltri. He's proven that he can be a head coach at this level, he's worked under who I think is one of the finest coaches in the country in Gary Turcott," said Carroll athletic director Bruce Parker. "He's a hard worker, he's very loyal to Carroll College and I think he could be here for a long time. He's got a lot of enthusiasm, and I think the transition for our players, our staff and the campus and the Helena community will be an easy one." Story
Players react to Veltri’s signing
Brandon Veltri, right, coaches alongside former head coach Gary Turcott during a basketball game this past season at Carroll College. Veltri was named the new head coach Thursday. (File photo by Lisa Kunkel Independent Record)
Brandon Veltri will be tested by die-hard Carroll College fans and the Helena community over the next few years, facing the reality that all new coaches must when taking over a program. But in the locker room and around the P.E. Center, his appointment as the new men's basketball coach has already been widely accepted. Story
Carroll names Veltri new head basketball coach
Brandon Veltri, a long-time assistant coach at Carroll College, has been named as the Saints' new head men's basketball coach, announced Athletic Director Bruce Parker on Thursday. Veltri replaces the veteran Gary Turcott, who announced his retirement three weeks ago after 19 years at the helm of the Carroll men's program.
"Brandon has done an outstanding job assisting Coach (Gary) Turcott and has been involved in all aspects of the program," Parker said. "I have been impressed with his work on and off the court as well as his abilities in the areas of recruiting and scheduling. He has been fortunate to have Gary as a mentor in this profession. Brandon has more than earned a shot at this position and I am confident that he will continue the tremendous success that the Saints have enjoyed over the past 19 years." Story
Turcott retires from coaching Saints after 19 years
The 62-year-old let the city of Helena know of his decision at a press conference that took place in the same Carroll P.E. Center classroom where former head football coach and athletic director Bob Petrino introduced Turcott to his first team of players 19 years ago.
"They were looking like: 'Who is this high school guy that's coming from Great Falls with no college experience, and how's he going to help us get where we want to go?' " Turcott said.
Two seasons later, there were few doubts that the Saints had found their man. Turcott led the team to the first championship he's ever had - "going back to little league, " he quipped - by winning the Frontier Conference title.
Since that first day he's also established himself as the winningest coach in Saints history, finishing his career with a 376-223 record. Story
Leaving a lasting legacy
In the conference room of the Comfort Inn hotel in Lewiston, Idaho, the Carroll College men's basketball team shuffled across the carpeted floor, tossing an orange between them.
Having just been beaten by Frontier Conference rival Westminster College 95-65 the night before, Saints head coach Gary Turcott was determined to teach his squad a new offense, and teach it quick.
Using their imaginations, some chairs for baskets and the fruit taken from that morning's continental breakfast, the Saints set up their new offense in preparation for their next opponent, Lewis-Clark State, that Friday afternoon.
When the sound of Bruce Springsteen's hit song "Glory Days," one of Turcott's favorites, began pumping into the conference room through overhead speakers, the coach knew something special was about to happen. Story
CARROLL’S TURCOTT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
HELENA – Gary Turcott, the winningest coach in the history of Carroll College basketball, has announced his retirement.
Turcott, 62, who has directed the Saints’ basketball fortunes for the past 19 years, made the announcement Thursday at a press conference held in the Carroll PE Center. He had recently informed Carroll President, Dr. Tom Trebon, and Saints’ Athletic Director Bruce Parker of his decision and informed his players Thursday morning. He will retire effective July 31, 2009, at the completion of the Carroll College men’s basketball camps.
Turcott became Carroll’s 30th head men’s basketball coach in 1990 and won 14 games in his first season (1990-91). He has gone on to lead the Saints to 376 wins in his collegiate career, including 10 seasons of 20 wins or more. In the last 10 seasons, Carroll has established itself as one of the NAIA’s top programs, consistently earning top 25 rankings. In his final decade at the helm of the Saints’ program, Turcott’s squads have amassed an impressive 228-88 record for an impressive 72% winning percentage. more
Vaculin and Garland named All-America
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to announce the 2008-09 Division I Men’s Basketball All-America Teams. The selections are made by the NAIA Men’s Basketball Coaches’ Association All-America Committee and comprises a First, Second, Third and Honorable Mention Team.
Carroll College had two recipients make honorable mention in senior point guard Chad Vaculin and freshman post Andy Garland.
“Both Chad and Andy had outstanding years,” said head coach Gary Turcott. “This honor is an accurate reflection of the contributions that these two great players made to the Carroll College basketball program.”
National Championship participants Columbia (Mo.) and Rocky Mountain (Mont.) land two players on the All-America Teams. Senior forward Devin Uskoski of RMC and Christian Lewis of CC were mentioned on the Third Team for the Championship finalists.
Highlighting the teams are senior guard Eric Palm of McKendree (Ill.) and Danny Hawkins of MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). Both players were the only ones to earn 2008 NAIA All-America First Team honors – Hawkins was listed on the NAIA Division II squad.
2008 Basketball Camps
The Carroll College Men's Basketball program will offer 2 identical weeks of basketball camp during the summer of 2009 for boys going into grades 5-12.
- Week 1: June 15-19, 2009
- Week 2: June 22-26, 2009
Download the registration form