By Message Staff
PINEVILLE – Larry Cordaro believes his purpose is bigger than winning two conference championships in his first two seasons as head coach of the LSU-Alexandria men’s basketball team.
Though Cordaro strives to be successful on the court, the Ruston native is also intent on building better men, God’s way.
“I’m wanting my players to be champions in three areas – the classroom, the community and the court,” Cordaro said during his message today at the monthly First@First Business Leaders Lunch at First Baptist Church in Pineville.
He added that two of his players have been baptized – one before and one after the most recent season. Cordaro said knowing that some of his team will graduate with a deeper relationship with Christ – whether it be accepting Him as their personal Lord and Savior or gaining wisdom through an assigned mentor from the community – makes his role rewarding.
“God has given me a passion for coaching basketball and has put me in a leadership role that I am grateful for,” said Cordaro, a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria. “My purpose is to equip these young men I am responsible for to enter life after college with Godly values and habits.”
Since he became head coach at LSU-A in 2014, Cordaro led the program to its first-ever national tournament appearance, garnered the national coach of the year award and led the Generals to a No. 1 ranking at one time in the polls of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
But even with the success he has experienced on the court, Cordaro knows his mission in life is much more than just winning a national championship. The ultimate prize, Cordaro emphasizes, is influencing the players Christ has entrusted to him – well beyond their basketball careers at LSUA.