Head Men’s Basketball Coach says good-bye

By Paul Hall on Wednesday, May 12th, 2021 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

LA GRANDE – (Information provided by EOU sports) Eastern Oregon University Athletics and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Carlito Labarda Jr. are parting ways as announced by Director of Athletics Anji Weissenfluh Monday afternoon.

“I would like to thank Carlito for his service to Eastern Oregon University and to the men’s basketball program,” Weissenfluh stated. “Carlito has been a positive presence in the La Grande community and an ambassador of EOU.”

In four seasons of leading the Mountaineers, Coach Labarda Jr. posted a 61-49 overall record and was 36-34 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play. His best finish came in his first season as he led EOU to a 21-8 overall record.

While at the helm of Eastern Oregon, Labarda Jr. helped guide the Mountaineers to a 2020-21 season that saw multiple delays before finally being able to compete in late February for the spring season. His group was 8-12 overall and went 3-9 in CCC spring play.

“A national search for our next men’s basketball coach will start immediately,” Weissenfluh said.