If you see a familiar face on the Roadrunner Men's Basketball sideline this season, you're not imagining anything.  Assistant Coach Frank Brown, once a star Roadrunner player himself from 1983-84, is making a triumphant return to his Deptford, NJ collegiate roots in a different capacity.

Who says you can't return home?

Brown has helped current Coach Rich Casey guide RCSJ Gloucester to an impressive 6-1 start in the 2022-23 campaign. He has already formed strong bonds with many of the current Roadrunner players and has played a key role the team's early success.

"Frank (Brown) has done a great job with the kids, and you can see how much they respect him," said head Coach Casey. "The kids know he was one of them years ago, and they can see there's a clear path moving from the junior college level into successful lives."

Serving on the sidelines as an assistant coach certainly isn't the only memories Brown holds of spending time in the Roadrunner Athletic Center.

The veteran coach was a solid athlete himself playing for the Roadrunners under legendary coach Ron "Fang" Mitchell in the 1980s.  He was a reliable guard who helped Mitchell's teams earn national recognition. Brown also earned MVP honors competing in the 1983 Roadrunner Classic.

One vivid memory Brown never forgets was Coach Mitchell's training routine.

"It was rigid to say the least," said Brown. "I remember once I was 5 minutes late for practice and I tried to slip into the gym so he wouldn't notice me. But sure enough there he was running right behind me – and as we're running he made sure I knew that I would be doing some extra running for being late!"

Following his time at Gloucester County College, Brown moved on Fort Hays State University in Kansas, where he earned NAIA All-American honors as a football linebacker.

Brown was also a successful educator and head basketball coach at Oakcrest High School for 20 years prior to accepting his current post.

"I'm having a blast coming back here," he commented. "I had so many good memories as a player and now it's full circle returning as a coach."

The 2022 edition of the Roadrunner Classic begins on Friday night - preview here: https://rcroadrunners.com/sports/mbkb/2022-23/releases/20221128upf82h