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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:01 a.m., Thursday, April 9, 2009

PacWest member Grand Canyon hires Pennell as basketball coach

Associated Press

PHOENIX — Russ Pennell has been hired as the men's basketball coach at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Pennell led the Arizona Wildcats to a 21-14 record and the program's 25th consecutive NCAA tournament appearance while serving as interim coach this season. He took over just before the season when Hall of Fame coach Lute Olson retired for health reasons.

Grand Canyon, a private Christian university, competes at the NCAA Division II level but has plans to build a 6,000-seat arena and move up to Division I in basketball.

The Antelopes play in the Pacific West Conference, which also includes Hawai'i's four Division II schools.