LIVONIA, Mich. - - Madonna University Director of Athletics Bryan Rizzo announced today that Noel Emenhiser has been selected as the Crusaders' new head men's basketball coach. Emenhiser, who has been serving as the department's assistant athletic director since October of 2008, will assume his new duties immediately, taking over for Myron Brown, who completed the 2009 season as the interim head coach.

"It is very exciting to see our all-time leading score take over the program," commented Rizzo after the announcement. "Noel is a highly motivated coach who will put all his energy into building a winning program. I am confident that we have made a great choice for Madonna University."

Emenhiser - whose 2,198 career points lead the Madonna record books - just completed his second season as the top assistant on the coaching staff. His work with the perimeter players has led MU to two of its most successful seasons in program history, including a berth in the 2008 Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference tournament semi-finals. Emenhiser spent four years at Madonna and then played one year in Portugal, playing professionally with the Sporting Club of Braga.

"I am excited about being a part of the Madonna University family," said Emenhiser following the announcement. "It is a great privilege to be a part of vision that the athletic department has for student-athletes and the community. "

"This is a great choice for Madonna," said former Madonna head coach Bernie Holowicki, who recruited Emenhiser to MU as a student-athlete. "He is great with kids and is probably the best recruit I ever had at Madonna. He was not only a great player but a great coach and a great guy."

Emenhiser inherits a team that lost just three seniors following the 2009 season and finished fifth in the WHAC.