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Stern was named the new head coach of the Gallaudet University women's basketball program on September 13, 2011. The 2011-12 season is his first as a head coach after spending the past three seasons as an assistant coach with the Gallaudet men's basketball program.
Stern played four years for the Bison men’s basketball program where he started three seasons and was a three-time captain. He graduated from GU in 2006 and since then has earned master degrees from American University and Catholic University of America. He is currently working on his Ph.D. in American Politics at CUA.
Stern has been teaching American Politics at Gallaudet University for the past four years. He is co-teaching a GSR course on American Exceptionalism this fall semester and another titled “The Art of Democracy: Participation, Representation and Religion in American Politics.”
Stern has several team goals he wants his squad to focus on in the 2011-12 season including a team grade point average of 3.0, to play tenacious defense and take care of the ball.
“Keuka College, the defending NEAC champions, was first in the conference in field goal and 3-point field goal percentage defense. This is not by accident. Defense wins championships,” said Stern. “We were seventh in turnover margin in the NEAC last year and this is unacceptable not only because we waste opportunities to score but also because one of the toughest things to guard is turnovers that lead to fast break opportunities for the opponent.”
One of the key goals for Stern is his player’s success in the classroom first and foremost.
“Our players are students first and athletes second. It is not lip service when I say that it will be my No. 1 goal to not only graduate all of my players but also see them become curious, productive, happy citizens. To this end, I want our players to succeed in the classroom and their extracurricular activities this year and gain a finer appreciation of the fascinating world out there,” said Stern. “Secondly, I want to see our players play hard, grow together every day, and to have fun along the way.”
Stern’s background as a basketball player is vast and he feels his experience will help him relate to what current Bison student-athletes or potential recruits have experienced. The California native started playing basketball at a hearing Catholic Youth League without an interpreter and later attended a deaf school before going to University High School, a large public high school in California, where he had an interpreter but was the only deaf player on his team. Plus, Stern has had great playing experience after Gallaudet as he played for Team USA in the Deaflympics and has played at the deaf club level. He envisions his experience as a player and a coach will transcend well to coaching women’s basketball.
“As rewarding as coaching the men at Gallaudet has been, it is sometimes frustrating to see players attempt to physically overpower each other and play one-on-one basketball. On the other hand, because the women’s game is mostly played below the rim, fundamentals, execution, and teamwork are more crucial. I think this makes coaching women more challenging and rewarding and is one of the many reasons why I am very enthusiastic about coaching women’s basketball at Gallaudet,” said Stern.
Stern resides in the Brookland neighborhood in Washington, D.C.
