WHSV Sports Presents: A New Era for EMU basketball

A new era is underway for the Eastern Mennonite men's and women's basketball programs.

The Royals have first-year head coaches leading both squads. Melvin Felix has taken over the reigns of the men's team while Jenny Logan is in her first season leading the women.

"We both have experience in different areas," said Logan. "(Felix) has it with the Eastern Mennonite culture, I have it maybe a little bit more as a head coach. So it's been really nice to help each other out here and there."

While both Felix and Logan are in a new roles, they're not new to the Shenandoah Valley. Felix served seven years as an assistant coach for former EMU men's head coach Kirby Dean.

"I want to go where Coach Dean took us in the past," said Felix. "The goal for any college basketball team is make it to the NCAA Tournament."

Logan, meanwhile, is at home in the Valley. She was a standout guard on the prep level at Luray High School before playing collegiately for EMU's rival, Bridgewater College. Logan comes to EMU from Hollins University where she was the head coach for three seasons. She replaces former EMU head coach Kevin Griffin who spent 13 years leading the team.

"I knew that the program had a strong history of being really successful," said Logan. "I wanted to come back home and be in the Shenandoah Valley. I knew that there was a lot of special players left on the roster still."

With Felix and Logan in the fold, there is excitement surrounding the EMU basketball programs as the first-year head coaches look to start building their own legacy.

"Jenny (Logan) and I both have big shoes to fill and that's very clear," said Felix. "But at the same time we are both very excited to put our own twist, our own style into what Royals basketball is."