ELMHURST, Ill. - Jason Hawkins has been named a full-time assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Elmhurst College men's basketball team.

Hawkins, a former collegiate player at Valparaiso University, has spent the past seven years coaching at the high school and collegiate levels.

"We are excited that Jason Hawkins will be joining our coaching staff," said Elmhurst head coach Mark Scherer. "He has both head and assistant coaching experience from the major college, small college and high school levels. He is an expert recruiter and talented guard coach. What drew me to Jason was his positive energy; he brought that extra something to every meeting we had."

From 2004-2006, Hawkins spent two seasons as the head coach at Calumet College of St. Joseph, compiling a 28-35 overall record. In 2006, Hawkins served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Valparaiso.

Hawkins spent the past three seasons as head boy's basketball coach and physical education instructor at Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City, Ind.

A three-year letterwinner at Valparaiso, Hawkins was a part of Crusader teams that posted three consecutive Mid-Continent Conference Championships. Hawkins was part of the NCAA Tournament team in 2002 and was a member of the 2003 squad that played in the NIT.

After earning a bachelor's degree from Valparaiso in 2003, Hawkins spent a year with the Crusaders as a graduate assistant basketball coach.

He earned a master's degree from Ashford University this past March.

Elmhurst wrapped up the 2009-10 season with a 6-19 overall record and an eighth-place finish in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).