Malone takes post at Louisiana Tech

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), May 31, 2007 | by Tim Buckley Deseret Morning News

SAN ANTONIO -- Retired Jazz star Karl Malone has a new job.

Malone on Thursday was named director of basketball promotion and assistant strength and conditioning coach at his alma mater, Louisiana Tech.

One of his first acts in that capacity is announcing a plan for facility improvement at the school, kicked off by a $350,000 donation from Malone himself.

"I am excited about being involved with my Louisiana Tech family," Malone said in a statement released by the university.

"My life has been a series of challenges, and I'm looking forward to this for everyone here in the Tech family," the NBA's No. 2 all- time scorer added. "Everybody has to be involved to make this work."

Vision for the project includes a new arena floor, luxury boxes, locker room, memorabilia room, dining room, office suites, training room and weight room.

The improvements at Thomas Assembly Center will benefit programs including the men's basketball team, whose new head coach is former University of Utah interim coach and longtime Utah high school coach Kerry Rupp.

"To have a powerful program, it takes more than being at a special place," said Rupp, who was recommended for the Tech job by Malone. "You need special people to step up and make sacrifices and contributions to the athletic program."

Malone spent all but one season of his NBA career with the Jazz.

E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com