Click here to e-mail

Matt Laur joined the SIUE men's basketball program as an assistant coach in September 2009. Laur came to SIUE following a season as Director of Basketball Operations at Ball State University. He was responsible for planning practice, travel planning, film exchange and breakdown, summer camp preparation, and academic mentoring for the Cardinals. He was part of Ball State's Mid-American Conference West Division Championship and helped the Cardinals to a 14-17 record, as well as a MAC tournament semifinal finish. Laur also mentored 2008-2009 MAC Freshman of the Year Jarrod Jones. Laur served as an assistant coach at Missouri Southern State in 2007-2008. While there, he was responsible for recruiting, scouting, practice planning, travel arrangements, and fund-raising. He helped coach the Lions to a 17-11 record and a third-place finish in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association. Laur spent three years as the head coach for the Steeleville High School basketball team. In 2004-2005 he led the Warriors to the most wins in school history when Steeleville finished with a 28-7 record and won a regional championship. As a player, Laur starred at McKendree University from 1999-2003 where he was a four-time NAIA All-American. He was named the NAIA Division I Player of the Year and received Academic-All American Midwest Conference honors his senior season. Laur was a two-time AMC Player of the Year (2001 and 2003) and an AMC Freshman of the Year winner. Laur became the all-time record leader with 2,874 career points and is ranked among the Bearcats' best in blocked shots and rebounds. He scored in double figures for 74 consecutive games and set single-season school records for field goals made (393) and points scored (891). Laur earned a bachelor's degree in physical education from McKendree in 2003. He also earned a master's in education from Missouri State University in 2010. After graduation, Matt played professionally in Europe for Geoplin Slovan before playing for the Columbus River Dragons of the National Basketball Developmental League. Matt and his wife Carrie (an SIUE alumus) have a three-year old son, Ty, and a daughter, Annabelle, born in September.