| Luke Flockerzi switched sides of New York in
returning to Rochester. Rochester athletics photo by Liz Slupinski |
Luke Flockerzi, a former Rochester and Amherst assistant who built Skidmore into a Liberty League contender, has been named the new head men's basketball coach at Rochester.
His appointment was announced by George VanderZwaag, the school's athletic director. "We are very excited about the future of men's basketball under Luke's leadership," said VanderZwaag. "He brings a track record of success, a familiarity with our institution, and deep understanding of the educational values that serve as a foundation of our program."
Flockerzi takes over the Rochester program from Michael Neer who announced his retirement effective at the end of the academic year. Neer coached the Yellowjackets for 34 seasons, compiling a 563-326 record.
"I am very excited about returning to the University of Rochester because it allows me to pursue my passion at its pinnacle -- working with scholar-athletes of the highest order, at one of the nation's elite academic institutions", said Flockerzi. "I want to congratulate Coach Neer on a truly remarkable career and wish him the best in his retirement. Coach has been a wonderful mentor to me and I look forward to taking over a program with a great foundation."
Flockerzi served as an assistant under Neer in 2006-07. Rochester finished 18-8 that year and qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs. He was hired as head coach at Skidmore in June 2007, taking over a team that had gone 2-22 the previous season.
In three seasons in Saratoga Springs, Flockerzi's teams showed dramatic growth. By the 2009-10 season, the Thoroughbreds were 16-10 overall, 9-5 in the Liberty League, matching school records for wins.
Flockerzi coached at Sewanee and at Amherst in addition to his one year with Rochester. He coached at Amherst from 2001-02 to 2003-04, then moved to Sewanee for one season. He returned to Amherst in September 2005 and was there for one year before coming to Neer's Rochester staff in July 2006.
During his first stint at Amherst, Flockerzi was part of a coaching staff that directed Amherst to a NESCAC championship, an NCAA Sweet 16, an NCAA Elite Eight, an NCAA Final Four, and an overall record of 73-17.
Flockerzi was honored as the AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003. In 2004, he was named a coach for the New England Basketball Coaches Association All-Star Game. He also helped coach Sewanee to the most wins, best record, and highest Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference finish in the last seven years of the program. He also helped to recruit the two winningest classes in Amherst history, including two-time D3hoops.com first team All-American point guard Andrew Olson.