D1 Nation Alumni Tidbits

Another summer has come and gone.  As much as some things never change, there are are others that do.  One of the pillars of the success the D1 Ambassadors have had in their 11 year history is that they have successfully bridged the gap with high school coaches where this summer program is seen as a supplement and a complimentary part of a player's development in CONJUNCTION with the high school coaches. Much of this has to do with the quality of the coaches that the D1 Ambassadors have had on staff over the years.  We'd like to recognize a few that have been on the move recently.

Congratulations to D1 Ambassadors Coach Dee Hudson (below), who has moved from D3 Concordia University in Austin, TX to the Assistant's position at Hill Junior College in Hillsborough, TX.  He'll work for my old friend, Swede Trenkle who also coached my son, Chip at Hill his freshman year.

Below Right: Texas D1 Ambassadors Coach Tremaine Wingfield (shown with All American Prodigy Camp's Mr. Hustle, Michael Hardge) has taken over as Head Coach at Austin Waldorf.  Wingfield, who played for Louisville and Texas before a 14 year professional career has worked with the D1 Ambassadors the last three years and has been responsible for the development of many of their younger players.

 Speaking of Austin Waldorf, I just got off the phone with their former Head Coach Rob Clifford.  Rob and I go way back when he offered my son Chip a scholarship to St. Andrew's High School. He and his wife are now making their home in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico where he is heading into his first season as Head Coach at Santa Fe Waldorf.  Congrats to Coach Clifford! He left the program in pretty good shape for Coach Wingfield after their first ever TAPPS Final Four last spring.

Former D1 Ambassadors Coach Marquette Wilkins, former All American at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX has just been named Head Coach at Austin Hyde Park High School.  We wish Marquette well, and know that Hyde Park will quickly learn what defense is all about as Coach Wilkins was one of the best defenders at any level from the Austin, TX area to play at the college level.

Below: Former D1 Ambassadors alumni, Matt Derenbecker (Metarie Country Day, LA) has decided to transfer from Louisiana State University to Dayton.  Last year as a true freshman, Derenbecker a 6'7" F average 22 minutes per game and 6.5 ppg.  Derenbecker transferred for personal reasons.  He was one of the most promising frosh in the SEC last year and will be sure to have a huge impact with Dayton in the future.

 It had been reported that Tre Demps (San Antonio Reagan) had torn his shoulder ligaments in a pickup game out in Los Angeles.  Demps, a  Texas D1 Ambassadors alum was expected to play a big role as a freshman this year in the Big Ten with Northwestern.  Demps is the son of former NBA player and New Orleans Hornets GM, Dell Demps.  I spoke to Papa Dell on Wednesday as they were headed to the doctor for a second opinion.  They are hopeful that surgery won't be a necessity. We wish Tre well and to have a speedy recovery-Coach Max Ivany and the D1 Ambassadors Family