Modie Cox

Last updated
Modie Cox
Modie Cox playing for the Buffalo Rapids at Buffalo State Sports Arena in 2006.jpg
Cox with the Buffalo Rapids, 2006
Personal information
Born (1972-12-29) December 29, 1972 (age 51)
Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Career information
High school La Salle
College Buffalo (1992–1995)
Playing career1996–2007
Position Point guard
Number12
Coaching career1997–present
Career history
As player:
1996–1998 Connecticut Pride
1998–1999Pietermaritzburg Tuskers (PBL)
1999–2000 Milton Keynes Lions
2005–2006 Buffalo Rapids
2006–2007 Buffalo Silverbacks
As coach:
1997–1998 Buffalo (graduate assistant)
2000–2002 Niagara Catholic (assistant)
2005–2006 Buffalo Rapids (assistant)
2006–2007 Buffalo Silverbacks (assistant)
2021–2022 St. Mary's (assistant)
2023–present Niagara Falls (assistant)
Career highlights and awards
As player:
  • ABA Community Service Award (2007)
  • All-MCC Team (1995)
  • WNY Player of the Year (1991)
  • Nike All-American, Honorable Mention (1990)
  • New York State Class B champion (1988)

As assistant coach:

  • CHSAA Class B champion (2022)
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing the Western Region
Empire State Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg1991 Albany

Modie Cox (born December 29, 1972) is an American former basketball player. He played collegiately for the Buffalo Bulls, and professionally for the Pietermaritzburg Tuskers, Milton Keynes Lions, Buffalo Rapids and Buffalo Silverbacks. As a player, he has been New York State Class B champion, Empire State Games gold medalist, and All-MCC honoree.

Contents

Cox is currently assistant coach for the Niagara Falls Wolverines. He previously was assistant coach for the Buffalo Bulls, Niagara Catholic Patriots, Buffalo Rapids, Buffalo Silverbacks and St. Mary's Lancers. As a coach, he has been CHSAA Class B champion.

An acclaimed motivational speaker, Cox has toured his Winning Because I Tried outreach program for youths and vulnerable populations since 2007. He was awarded the inaugural ABA Community Service Award in honor of his work.

High school career

Maurice "Modie" Cox was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and raised by his grandmother until her death. [1] Cox never knew his biological father, and his mother was a drug addict. [2] At the age of 15, he was adopted by the coach of his local Boys Club team. [1]

He took up the position of point guard after idolizing Kenny Anderson and Mark Macon, wearing the jersey number #12 in tribute to both players. [3]

Cox played for the varsity squad of La Salle Senior High School as a freshman, winning the 1988 New York State Class B championship. [1] Following his junior year, he received honorable mention in the running for Nike High School All-American. [4] He was honored as Buffalo News Player of the Year following his senior season, where he averaged 16.7 points per game and set school records for both steals and assists. [5] [6]

He competed for the Western Region Open team in the 1991 Empire State Games, capturing a gold medal. [7] [8]

College career

After being recruited by University at Buffalo as the centerpiece of their new Division I program, Cox was ruled academically ineligible under Proposition 48 and could not play his freshman season for the Buffalo Bulls. [9]

He was named team captain for his junior and senior seasons. [10] Cox led the team in scoring during his junior season, averaging 12.6 points per game. [11] In his senior season, Cox led the Mid-Continent Conference in assists and was named to the All-Conference Team. [12]

Cox attempted to have his fourth year of eligibility restored by the NCAA for the 1995–96 season, but his request was denied. [13] He tried out for the school's football team as a wide receiver in August 1995, but was cut. [14]

He played for the Converse All-Stars in November 1995, an alumni team who defeated the 1995–96 St. Bonaventure Bonnies and 1995–96 Buffalo Bulls squads in exhibition play. [15] [16]

In September 1996, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in sociology. [17]

Professional career

The Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball Association signed Cox in 1996, although he never played for the team. [18]

He started his professional career with the Pietermaritzburg Tuskers of the Premier Basketball League, averaging 17.3 points per game during their 1998–99 season. [19]

Cox diving for the ball during the inaugural Buffalo Rapids game, 2005 Modie Cox diving for the ball during the inaugural Buffalo Rapids game in November 2005.jpg
Cox diving for the ball during the inaugural Buffalo Rapids game, 2005

Cox played for the Milton Keynes Lions of the British Basketball League, averaging 3.16 steals per game during their 1999–00 season. [20] [21]

He attended off-season camps with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association in 2000 and 2001, but was cut from the roster. [22]

Cox was signed to the Buffalo Rapids of the American Basketball Association in October 2005. [22] He helped the team win its first playoff game in March 2006, contributing 12 assists in their 133–88 victory over the Boston Frenzy. [23] When the franchise was forced to rebrand in May 2006 following an ownership change, Cox came up with the Buffalo Silverbacks moniker that they used going forward. [24]

After Tim Winn left the Buffalo Silverbacks in August 2006, Cox took over running the team's Do Your Best, Never Quit youth clinics. [25] In recognition of his work, Cox was honored with the inaugural American Basketball Association Community Service Award in January 2007. [26]

Coaching career

While pursuing his master's degree in urban planning, Cox served as graduate assistant under Tim Cohane for the 1997–98 Buffalo Bulls season. [27]

Cox served as assistant coach for Niagara Catholic High School from 2000 to 2002 under Pat Monti. [28]

While still active as a player, Cox also served as assistant coach for the Buffalo Rapids under Richard Jacob, and later for the Buffalo Silverbacks under Trevor Ruffin. [29]

In 2008, Cox was hired as personal trainer and mentor for Byron Brown III, the teenage son of Mayor Byron Brown II. [30] Brown III went on to play Division I basketball for Binghamton University. [31] [32]

As assistant coach under Ryan Gallo, Cox helped lead St. Mary's High School to the 2022 CHSAA Class B championship. [33]

He has served as assistant coach for Niagara Falls High School under Carlos Bradberry since 2023. [33]

Personal life

I’ve got something now that I’m as passionate about as basketball. Other than my son, I’ve never had anything like that. [10]

—Modie Cox, on motivational speaking

Cox was arrested in November 1996 for cocaine possession, serving eight months in jail for two misdemeanor charges. [34] [35] [36]

He son Kaleb was born in 2002 and is a graduate of Canisius High School. [37]

After the Buffalo Silverbacks folded in 2007, Cox continued their youth outreach program and rebranded it as Winning Because I Tried. [2] He has given over 350 motivational speeches to children through the program. [2] John Wallace became the program's vice president in 2010, and has joined Cox on select speaking engagements. [38]

From 2013 to 2016, Cox served as executive director of the Buffalo Police Athletic League. [39]

Cox serves on the board of directors for Junior Jerry Jam, a nonprofit organization dedicated to staging live musical performances that benefit charitable causes. [40]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Laettner</span> American basketball player (born 1969)

Christian Donald Laettner is an American former professional basketball player. His college career for the Duke Blue Devils is widely regarded as one of the best in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history. He was the star player on the back-to-back Duke National Championship teams of 1991 and 1992, and the NCAA player of the year in his senior year. He is particularly famous for his game-winning shot against Kentucky in the 1992 tournament and for the hatred he received from opposing fans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University at Buffalo</span> Public university in Buffalo, New York

The State University of New York at Buffalo is a public research university with campuses in Buffalo and Amherst, New York, United States. The university was founded in 1846 as a private medical college and merged with the State University of New York system in 1962. As of 2022, it is one of two flagship institutions of the SUNY system, along with Stony Brook University. As of fall 2020, the university enrolled 32,347 students in 13 schools and colleges, making it the largest public university in the state of New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Niagara County Community College</span> Public college in Sanborn, New York, US

Niagara County Community College (NCCC) is a public community college in Sanborn, New York. Founded in 1962, NCCC is sponsored by Niagara County and offers associate degrees as part of the State University of New York system. Dual admissions programs facilitate transfer to four-year colleges upon completion of the two-year degree programs. NCCC operates the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute as a remote campus within the former Rainbow Centre Factory Outlet in downtown Niagara Falls, New York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Paulus</span> American basketball and football player (born 1986)

Gregory Russell Paulus is an American basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the Niagara Purple Eagles men's basketball team. He previously served as an assistant basketball coach for Louisville, Ohio State and George Washington University. Paulus is a former multi-sport athlete, playing college basketball as a point guard on the Duke University men's team and later football at Syracuse University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Jacob</span> American basketball coach (born 1958)

Richard L. Jacob, is an American basketball coach and educator. He is head coach of the Buffalo eXtreme of the American Basketball Association, and also sport management consultant for Villa Maria College.

Turner Battle is an American former basketball point guard for the University at Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team from 2001 to 2005. Battle is credited with fueling the resurgence of the Bulls men's basketball program, which went from 5–23 during his sophomore season to a 23-win senior campaign. Battle is now currently athletic director for The Park School of Buffalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bulls men's basketball</span> Mens college basketball team

The Buffalo Bulls men's basketball team represents the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York, United States. The team currently competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division. Buffalo began play in 1915 and joined the MAC in 1998. They won their first MAC East Division title in 2009, and won a third MAC East Division title in 2015 along with their first outright MAC Regular-Season championship and first MAC Tournament title to earn the program's first bid to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. The Bulls also have six appearances in the NCAA College Division Basketball Championship between 1957 and 1965 and two appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT). Their head coach position was filled on March 30, 2023 when Buffalo hired Villanova associate head coach George Halcovage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bulls</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University at Buffalo

The Buffalo Bulls are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University at Buffalo (UB) in Buffalo, New York. The Bulls compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division I level as a member of Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division, having joined the conference in 1998. Buffalo sponsors teams in seven men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports. The football team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level for college football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bulls football</span> Football team for the State University of New York at Buffalo

The Buffalo Bulls football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University at Buffalo located in the U.S. state of New York. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo's first football team was fielded in 1894. The team plays its home games at the 31,000 seat UB Stadium on University at Buffalo's north campus in Amherst, New York. The Bulls are coached by Pete Lembo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Stampede</span> Basketball team in New York, 2009–2011

The Buffalo Stampede were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the Premier Basketball League (PBL) for two seasons in 2009 and 2010, and in the Atlantic Coast Professional Basketball League (ACPBL) for the 2010–11 season before suspending operations.

Chad Thomas Salisbury is an American football coach and former quarterback. He is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for California University of Pennsylvania, positions he has held since 2009. He was formerly the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Los Angeles Avengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Sharks</span> Basketball team in New York, 2005–2008

The Buffalo Sharks were a basketball team based in Buffalo, New York. The team competed in the American Basketball Association (ABA) as the Buffalo Rapids in 2005–06 and as the Buffalo Silverbacks in 2006–07 before suspending operations.

Gary Hindley is an American soccer coach. He has coached youth soccer, high school, college and professional teams. He won Coach of the Year honors in 1984 in the United Soccer League, 1991 American Professional Soccer League and 1998. He won the 1993-94 National Professional Soccer League championship with the Cleveland Crunch. His overall coaching record in professional, collegiate and scholastic soccer is 433-307-28 (.585).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Winn</span> American former basketball player (born 1977)

Tim Winn is an American former basketball player. He played for the St. Bonaventure Bonnies from 1996 to 2000 and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team in his senior year.

Daniel J. White is an American university sports administrator. He is the athletic director for the Tennessee Volunteers. White held the same position at the University at Buffalo from 2012 to 2015 and the University of Central Florida from 2015 to 2021. Prior to his tenure at Buffalo, he was the senior associate athletic director for Ole Miss.

Ronald J. Torgalski is an American former college baseball and college basketball coach. He was most recently the head baseball coach for the University at Buffalo. During his nine seasons as coach of the Bulls, he has compiled an overall record of 182–296.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nate Oats</span> American basketball coach (born 1974)

Nathanael Justin Oats is an American basketball coach, currently the head men's basketball coach at the University of Alabama. Prior to Alabama, he was the head coach at the University at Buffalo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Massinburg</span> American basketball player

Christian Jalon Massinburg is an American professional basketball player for Bahçeşehir Koleji of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL) and EuroCup. He played college basketball for the Buffalo Bulls. He was named the 2019 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year. He previously played for the Long Island Nets of the NBA G League and Limoges CSP of the LNB Pro A.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Rowe (basketball)</span> American basketball player

Jason L Rowe is an American former professional basketball player. He played at Buffalo Traditional School in his native Buffalo, New York, leaving as the all-time leader in points and assists, and then signed to play college basketball for the Loyola Greyhounds in the MAAC, where he was a two-time all-conference performer.

Gary Bossert is an American former college basketball player for the Niagara Purple Eagles. He ranks first in NCAA Division I history for most single-game consecutive three-point shots and second in American high-school history for most single-game free throws made without a miss.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Jerry (October 13, 1994). "UB STAR RISES ABOVE THE STREETS MODIE COX EXCELS ON AND OFF COURT". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 Sullivan, Jerry (June 5, 2012). "Truth ties Cox to kids on the edge". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  3. ↑ "Maurice "Modie" Cox Discusses Playing In Niagara Falls LaSalle Basketball Dynasty". YouTube. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Street & Smith's College Basketball Yearbook 1990/1991 : Street & Smith : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive". Internet Archive. March 25, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  5. ↑ Harrington, Mike (April 20, 1991). "TOP FIVE PERFORM AS EXPECTED LASALLE'S COX IS PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  6. ↑ Harrington, Mike (May 7, 1991). "COX MAY SERVE AS PIONEER OF UB'S DIVISION I FUTURE". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  7. ↑ Harrington, Mike (July 21, 1991). "EMPIRE STATE GAMES PREPARE TO MAKE INAUGURAL APPEARANCE IN ALBANY AREA". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  8. ↑ "Empire State Games". empirestategames.org. October 31, 2004. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. Retrieved February 3, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ↑ Gaughan, Mark (August 8, 1991). "COX WILL SIT OUT FRESHMAN SEASON AT UB; 1991 NEWS PLAYER OF THE YEAR IS PROP 48 CASUALTY". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  10. 1 2 Bronstein, Jonah (June 4, 2007). "BASKETBALL: Modie's message". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  11. ↑ Bradley, B. (2009). ESPN College Basketball Encyclopedia: The Complete History of the Men's Game. Ballantine Books. p. 105. ISBN   978-0-345-51392-2 . Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  12. ↑ "Modie Cox College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com. March 30, 1991. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  13. ↑ "UB'S COX CONTINUES TO SEEK ELIGIBILITY". Buffalo News. June 16, 1995. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  14. ↑ Harrington, Mike (August 11, 1995). "COX, BANKS TRYING HANDS ON GRIDIRON". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  15. ↑ "FREDONIA REACHES REGIONAL SOCCER FINAL". Buffalo News. November 5, 1995. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  16. ↑ "November 16, 1995-Vol27n12: SportsView". University at Buffalo. November 16, 1995. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  17. ↑ Anzalone, Charles (November 5, 1996). "ARREST OF FORMER UB STAR STUNS FAMILY, COACHES". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  18. ↑ Mark woods. "Fact File: Modie Cox, Milton Keynes Lions". BRITBALL Media / Mark Woods. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  19. ↑ "Final stats". basketball.co.za. February 9, 1999. Archived from the original on February 9, 1999. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  20. ↑ "Milton Keynes Lions". BRITBALL Media / Mark Woods. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  21. ↑ "The Official Site of the BBL". March 3, 2001. Archived from the original on March 3, 2001. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  22. 1 2 Rodriguez, Miguel (October 30, 2005). "Cox and Winn happily reunited as new Rapids teammates Falls duo hope to help rekindle basketball fire in Western New York". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  23. ↑ "ABA Buffalo Rapids advance to second round of playoffs". OurSports Central. March 13, 2006. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  24. ↑ Watson, Stephen T. (August 5, 2006). "'Silverbacks' called racially insensitive". Buffalo News. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  25. ↑ "PEZZIMENTI: Winn's clinic absence a mystery". Olean Times Herald. July 28, 2006. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Silverbacks Cox and Sims awarded ABA honors". OurSports Central. January 15, 2007. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
  27. ↑ "The Challenger 26 November 1997". The NYS Historic Newspapers. November 26, 1997. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Stories from Niagara Falls coaching legend Pat Monti". The Big Words Blog Site. October 11, 2018. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  29. ↑ Bronstein, Jonah (August 15, 2006). "Cox returns to Silverbacks adopted home". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  30. ↑ Mansfield, Aaron (August 16, 2014). "Byron Brown Jr. moves beyond 'the incident' in his past". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  31. ↑ "Men's Basketball". Binghamton University Athletics. October 24, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  32. ↑ Wilmes, John (February 2, 2024). "Byron Brown Player Profile, Binghamton". RealGM. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  33. 1 2 Kraus, Joe (November 24, 2023). "Niagara Falls legend Modie Cox returns to join ex-LaSalle teammate Carlos Bradberry's staff". Niagara Gazette. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  34. ↑ Anzalone, Charles (November 3, 1996). "FORMER UB BASKETBALL STAR ARRESTED ON DRUG CHARGE". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  35. ↑ Gryta, Matt (March 29, 1997). "EX-BASKETBALL STAR MAKES PLEA DEAL IN DRUG CASE". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  36. ↑ Anderson, Dale (July 18, 1997). "EX-BASKETBALL STAR RELEASED FROM JAIL FOR GOOD BEHAVIOR". Buffalo News. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  37. ↑ "Kaleb Cox-Harris' Canisius High School Career Home". MaxPreps.com. December 6, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  38. ↑ Mariani, John (March 18, 2010). "Former SU star John Wallace continues speaking tour at Syracuse high schools". syracuse. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
  39. ↑ "Our Staff – Winning Because I Tried". Winning Because I Tried – Youth Mentoring Program. May 7, 2020. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
  40. ↑ "Junior Jerry Jam RAISES FUNDS FOR MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST AND AWARENESS FOR COLON CANCER SCREENING IN BLACK COMMUNITIES". WNYmedia Network. August 22, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.