Men's Basketball

Joe Laravie was named as an assistant coach in July, 2023

"We are fired up to welcome Joe and Olivia to Anderson University," said Williams "We went through the search wanting to identify someone that loves Jesus, chases excellence and serves others. Joe hits all three, and he knows the league and played the game at a high level. Our guys are going to benefit greatly from having him on staff. I'm excited for him to get into a groove here. He is a great fit in our program and is already showing his work ethic and desire to learn our way. They always say the best part about Anderson is the people. Joe and Olivia are another great example of that."

Laravie arrived in the Electric City after serving two seasons as a graduate assistant on the Carson-Newman coaching staff. An All-American at both Christian Brothers and Southern Indiana, Laravie transferred to USI after three seasons at Christian Brothers. While playing for the Buccaneers, he averaged nearly 15 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Laravie averaged a career-best 18.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game as a junior in 2018-19 and poured in a career-high 37 points in a CBU win over Delta State.

He pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds in a Bucs' win over West Alabama. He was named NABC All-South Region, First-Team All-Gulf South Conference, and GSC Player of the Week three times during the 2018-19 campaign.

In his lone season at Southern Indiana, he was named GLVC All-Academic while starting all 30 games for the Eagles. Laravie averaged 10.3 points. 2.2 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game.

After graduating, the Kettering, Ohio, native signed a professional contract with Academic EFAPEL Coimbra in Portugal and went on to join the Carson-Newman coaching staff following a summer as an assistant coach with Mets de Guayando in Puerto Rico.

During his two seasons roaming the sidelines in Jefferson City, Laravie helped guide the fifth-seeded Eagles to a runner-up performance in the 2022 South Atlantic Conference Tournament and mentored Second-Team All-SAC honoree Tripp Davis (2022) and Third-Team All-SAC honoree, Bryant Thomas (2023), with Thomas garnering SAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades following both the 2022 and 2023 campaigns.

"I am extremely excited to be an Anderson Trojan," said Laravie. "I would like to thank Coach Williams for believing in me. He and Coach Parker are building something special here at AU and I'm so thrilled I get to be a part of it. My faith and personal values align with the mission of this program, which makes this a dream come true. My fiancé, Olivia, and I can't wait to build relationships on campus and in the Anderson community. I understand the expectations and the demands to perform are high here. I wouldn't want it any other way. I feel compelled to help this team be our best and can't wait to get to work. Go Trojans!"