Former Concordia University Wisconsin basketball standout Omar Lowery was recently named to Silver Wave Media's list of 50 Impactful High Major Assistant Coaches in NCAA Division I men's basketball.
Lowery (’02, Physical Education), is beginning his fourth season as a Butler University assistant. In 2000 he earned All-Lake Michigan Conference First Team honors, averaging 16.3 points per game as he helped lead the Falcons to their first NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in school history.
CUW’s basketball program has since joined the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC), which began play in 2006. “As coaches we want all of our student-athletes to represent Concordia in everything they do,” stressed current head coach Shawn Cassidy, who last season eclipsed the record for the most victories in men’s basketball history. “We especially hope the foundation laid will help them be successful in life, and are proud of Omar’s accomplishments and know this recognition is well deserved.”
He praised Lowery’s work ethic and his ability to develop strong, positive relationships. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to get to know Omar since returning to Concordia,” added the 1993 alumnus who enters his 14th season as head coach this coming fall.
“I was definitely surprised to be chosen,” said Lowery. “This profession is filled with a lot of incredible individuals, so I am extremely grateful.” Silver Wave Media annually recognizes coaches who have made an impact on the game and this year’s honorees include assistants from Nebraska, Notre Dame, Baylor, Arizona State, Stanford, Virginia Tech, and USC. Winners are chosen based on input from athletic directors, university presidents, agents and industry experts.
The Wisconsin native primarily works with the team’s centers and forwards, and was heavily involved in recruiting the highest-rated class in school history this season. Butler, a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana, finished its 2019-20 campaign 22-9 and was ranked in the Top 25 in both national polls after an abrupt end to a season that Lowery termed bittersweet. “I say bitter because I knew in my heart this team had so much more basketball left to play and then was flung into a new world with the pandemic which was a lot for all of us. I would never consider a world without basketball to be sweet, but the current stillness has afforded an opportunity to focus on social issues that have long been left unaddressed,” he added.
Prior to joining the Butler staff in 2017, Lowery was an assistant at Sam Houston State, San Jose State, California Poly and Texas State. In 2016-17, he was an assistant at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee under current Bulldog head coach LaVall Jordan.
Lowery realizes while there are so many uncertainties to the upcoming season, “we all miss basketball so much we are willing to take any and all safety measures to get back to work. I believe all of us will return with a new appreciation for basketball and people.” Incoming and returning players have formed close bonds according to Coach “O,” and the entire coaching staff is eager for its first practice.
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