Lawson named USC Salkehatchie head basketball coach

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By Cindy Crosby

The University of South Carolina Salkehatchie announced the hiring of Kyle Lawson as the head men’s basketball coach for the 2022-23 season. Lawson will take over the reins for the Indians May 13, 2022.

Lawson most recently was an assistant coach at Black Hills State University, located in Spearfish, South Dakota. While there, he specialized in player development and opponent scouting for the Yellow Jackets. During Lawson’s time there, he achieved multiple milestones: two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Championships, an RMAC Tournament Championship, and a trip to the NCAA Division II Tournament where they would reach the final four this season.

An Orange County, California native, Lawson also coached at Dawson Community College, where he helped lead his team to the NJCAA Division I Tournament for the first time in school history.

Before coaching, Lawson played collegiately at MSU Denver and Orange Coast College. He received his bachelor’s degree in history from MSU Denver and went on to obtain his master’s degree in strategic leadership from Black Hills State University.

A press release from Salkehatchie’s Coordinator of Communications and Marketing, Stephanie Gruber, dated Thursday May 5 stated the following:

“We are excited to welcome Coach Lawson to the USC Salkehatchie family. He is no stranger to NJCAA basketball and displays a passion for not only the sport but, more importantly, holding his players to a high standard both on and off the court,” Director of Athletics, Jeremy Joye, said. “His commitment to academic excellence and integrity in his players communicates an understanding that it is not about the next two years or four years for these athletes, but rather about the next 20-40 years. That is the mission here at USC Salkehatchie—to prepare them for the next 20-40 years.”

“I’m so excited and appreciative to receive my first head coaching job,” Lawson said. “I could not ask for a better opportunity to continue to grow and impact student-athletes' lives daily. This program has been built into a well-known name by the previous coaches, and I cannot thank them enough. I am ready to get to work and build a program the town of Walterboro will grow to love. It will be a priority for the men’s team to serve and impact the community that supports us in a variety of ways, whether that be through camps or simply just volunteering at events. My hope is to continue the connection with the community and create a new appreciation of USC Salkehatchie Basketball.”