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University (SOSU) in Durant. Hedden hired Reisman as his assistant. Reisman points out, “Coach Hedden infuenced me the most in the realm of coaching and relating to students. He was a master teacher. He taught me so much in working with players and other individuals. He’s now in his 70s, retired and lives in Whitesboro, TX. We still keep in touch.”

During his six years at SOSU, the basketball team made consecutive trips to the National Association Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament, fnishing in third place in 1986.

It was at the Durant university that Reisman recruited Dennis Rodman, who became a star player at SOSU. Rodman would later make his name famous as a professional player in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Reisman’s frst head coaching job was at Trumann High School at Trumann, AR. in 1979. He was at the Arkansas high school for two years before going to SOSU as an assistant coach. Lonn’s frst head basketball college coaching job came at Connors State College, a junior college at Warner, OK. Reisman was only there one year, 1987-

1988. His team won 21 games. They advanced to the semifnals of the state junior college tournament. It was the frst winning season for the Oklahoma junior college in many years. One day in the spring of 1988, Lonn’s phone rang at his campus offce. Dr. Ron Newsome, assistant athletic director at Tarleton State University (TSU) in Stephenville, TX. was calling to inquire if Lonn was interested in the head basketball coaching position at Tarleton State. Lonn indicated he would like to come down for an interview. Lonn made the seven-hour drive to Stephenville to talk with Dr. Joe Gillespie, athletic director, and with Dr. Barry B. Thompson, president of TSU. At the conclusion of the interview with Dr. Thompson, Lonn told the president he needed time to think about the offer. It was at this point Dr. Thompson said to Reisman, “I wasn’t sure you were up to this challenge. We have had only one winning season in 26 years, and it will take someone, who can really work to meet the challenge.” That concluded the interview.

Lonn indicates on the return drive to Warner, the TSU president’s words kept going over and over in his mind –“ ‘I’m not sure you are up to the challenge.’

The farther I drove, the more mad I became. Before I reached Warner, I had made up my mind to call Dr. Thompson and tell him I would take the job. Joe Gillespie had called my home before I arrived home. When I walked in the front door, the phone was ringing. It was Joe calling, encouraging me to take the job.”

The 33-year-old coach arrived on campus on May 1, 1988, to rebuild a basketball program that was in shambles. The year before he arrived at TSU, the Texans had only won three games and lost 25. His frst year produced 18 wins and 11 losses. It was enough for Tarleton to receive a NAIA Division Eight playoff spot. This would be the frst of many records for TSU teams to achieve under the direction of Reisman.

Joey Roberts, Director of Sports Information at TSU, lists many of the accomplishments by Reisman’s teams in the current Media Guide on Tarleton’s Men Basketball teams. Some of the noteworthy items Roberts mentioned are as follows:

Eleven All-America Selections have occurred, which includes Mark Smith, now a successful attorney in San Francisco. Smith was recently honored at Tarleton as an Outstanding Alumnus. Two of the All-America Selections made the First Team.

In 24 years as the head coach, 21 of Reisman’s teams have recorded more victories than defeats.

His number of victories surpasses those of the legendary Tarleton Coach W. J. Wisdom, who coached basketball at TSU from 1923 until 1941. Wisdom’s record was 193 wins and only 28 losses (.873 percent) over an 18-year period. His teams have participated in three NAIA National Tournaments and six NCAA Division II National Tournaments.

His 2004-2005 team (25-9) advanced to the Final Four in the NCAA Division II playoffs.