Since the program’s inception in 2014, the LSUA Generals Men’s Basketball program has exceeded everyone’s expectation in a short period of time. Head coach Larry Cordaro and his team have recruited and developed stellar talent that has enabled young men to not only earn a quality education and experience personal growth, but has also helped them fulfill their dreams of playing basketball in countries like China and Finland.
The talent does not stop with the players on the General’s Team. Coach Cordaro has a phrase he uses often with his players and at his camps: “Surround yourself with people that make you a better person.” And wisely, he takes his own advice, having done a remarkable job of recruiting talented assistant coaches to help complete the team. Over the past three seasons, the basketball program has planted roots with a strong foundation and now it is starting to see branches spread as some of the coaching staff are moving towards fulfilling their goals in head coaching positions.
Taylor Smith came to LSUA from Pearl River Community College, where he was the team manager for the men’s basketball program. Taylor spent three seasons with the General’s as a manager and was promoted to assistant coach in 2016. Shortly after graduation from LSUA in December 2016, Taylor was offered and accepted the head coaching position for the men’s basketball program at University Academy in Alexandria, where he, too, will have the opportunity to influence young lives and share his knowledge and love for the game of basketball.
Coach Cordaro would like to thank each one of these men that have given their time, insight and talent to build the General’s basketball program. He believes that, in these men, he has surrounded himself with people that make not only him, but the LSUA Men’s Basketball team, better and they will continue to make better the teams and lives they touch in the future as they put down new roots and continue to grow new branches.