Columbia native and former Titan forward Hardy Asprilla has
returned to his alma mater as an assistant coach beginning with the
2012-13 season.
"I am really excited about the addition of Hardy to our coaching
staff," said Newman. "He brings with him a lot of high energy,
enthusiasm and loyalty to Cal State Fullerton basketball and I feel
that his type of magnetic personality will be a tremendous asset to
our program not only on the court, but in the recruiting process as
well.
"It is always good to have someone around that has played in your
system. They know you, know what you're about and can relate those
types of things to the players in a very special way. I anticipate
he will be phenomenal with our post guys."
Asprilla has spent the last two seasons as the No. 1 assistant at
Humboldt State, helping the Jacks to a school-record 26 wins
against only four losses and a California Collegiate Athletic
Association title in 2010-11 and a 22-8 mark in 2011-12, reaching
the NCAA Division II West Region Championships both seasons.
Prior to that, has was an assistant at Citrus College in Glendora,
Calif., for two years, responsible for player development, working
with post players, scouting, and serving as the team's defensive
coordinator. In 2009-10, the Fighting Owls finished 29-3 overall
and reached the California State JC "Final Four," falling by a
single point in the semifinals. In his two seasons, Citrus JC was a
combined 57-8 overall with a pair of Western State Conference South
Division titles.
A transfer from the College of the Sequoias, Asprilla played two
seasons for the Titans from 2003-05, averaging 8.5 points and 8.8
rebounds as a senior before suffering a career-ending knee injury
in the 12th game of the year against Long Beach State on Jan. 13,
2005. He led or co-led the team in rebounding in eight of those 12
contests, including a high of 16 boards against UC Riverside on
Jan. 6.
Following his collegiate playing career, Asprilla spent two years
working with the Fullerton coaching staff from 2005-07 and also
spent time with the Columbian National Team, competing in numerous
tournaments throughout South America, as well as playing
professionally with the Bucaros in his hometown of Bucaramanga, and
working with the Marinos of Puerto La Cruz in Venezuela.
Asprilla graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a
bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 2005 and later earned his
master’s degree in kinesiology in 2009.