UTRGV basketball teams welcome three new staff members

Ivan Palacios | THE RIDER

UTRGV men’s and women’s basketball programs announced the addition of three new staff members on Aug. 20. The men’s program brings on Chris Lowe as special assistant to the head coach. Joining the women’s program is Kevin Hackerott as associate head coach and Keanna Keys as an assistant coach. 

Lowe comes to UTRGV after spending the last two years at Saint Louis University as a graduate student manager. Prior to that, Coach Lowe spent four seasons at the University of Massachusetts as a point guard where he finished as the school-record holder in career assists before spending eight seasons playing professionally.

Lowe’s role, according to a written release by UTRGV Athletics, includes creating video edits of player personnel and plays of opposing teams, creating recruiting materials, setting up official and unofficial visits, assisting with social media and facilitating community engagement. Coach Lowe believes his experience as a player will help him excel in his new position.

“I think, with me having a knowledge of the game and being surrounded by the game and being around great coaching staff, has helped me make the transition,” Coach Lowe said. “I’ve always been a student of the game as well. I think that has helped me make the transition and helps me with my role and understanding the importance of my role and working hard and doing everything that is asked of and doing it to the best of my ability.”

Outside of basketball, he looks forward to being a part of the Rio Grande Valley community.

“I feel like I  just want to embrace the culture, embrace the community,” Coach Lowe said. “I just want them to embrace me and let’s make it a big old family and love each other and support each other and take the whole, not just the program, but let’s take the program and the university to new heights.”

On the women’s side, Coach Hackerott joins the program after spending the last eight years as the head girls basketball coach at Goddard High School in Kansas. While at Goddard, Hackerott racked up two state tournament appearances, two league titles and three Coach of the Year awards. 

Coach Hackerott brings a long list of experience having spent the last 18 years around the game of basketball. This includes head coaching positions at Wellington High School, Cameron University, Pratt Community College and Highland Community College. 

“To have that time in high school and see that perspective, I think gives me, especially recruiting wise, gives me a really good advantage as far as what parents and kids are thinking,” Coach Hackerott said. “Experience wise, obviously the gameday stuff, D-1 will be a little different. It’s the highest level and that’s what we all want to strive for. But it’s still basketball.”

Hackerott’s duties as associate head coach will include being involved in recruiting as well as day-to-day activities during practice and on game day. Aside from his duties, Hackerott hopes to provide a fresh spark to the team. 

“Hopefully, I can just bring some enthusiasm, some excitement, and a little bit of zest of experience to bring to this program,” Coach Hackerott said. “I’m so excited. This thing is ready to take off. I’m really really blessed to get this opportunity.”

Joining Hackerott on the women’s basketball program is Keanna Keys who comes in as an assistant coach. Keys comes to UTRGV after spending the last two years as athletic director at the Immaculate Heart of Mary School in Little Rock, Arkansas. 

Prior to that, Coach Keys was a member of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Women’s Basketball Team from 2013-2018. Here, Keys excelled as a player helping her team to three Sun Belt Conference Titles and finishing her career with the sixth most offensive rebounds in program history. 

Despite the unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Keys remains optimistic about her new position and is looking forward to starting this new journey. 

“Even though we’re going through this pandemic now, with me being new and transitioning from being an athlete not too long ago and now being one of the leaders here on the staff at UTRGV,” Coach Keys said. “I don’t think this has broke the team at all. If anything it’s bringing us closer.”

She is excited to start working with the team in preparing for the upcoming season.

“We have some girls that are energetic, that are working together,” Keys said. “We’re going to get a lot of fire out of them. You’re going to have a big diverse [group] of tall and small guards. You’re going to have some strong healthy post players trying to give you everything. It’s going to be exciting. I ask that everyone show up and be just as energetic as we are because that’s what we’re going to bring to the table and V’s up!”