JACKSON, Tenn. – Union University women’s basketball head coach Mark Campbell has named Sean Blackburn as the next assistant coach for the program.
According to a press release from Steven Aldridge – Union University Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communication, Blackburn takes over for four-year assistant Sara Hammond Barham who is now the head coach at Lausanne Collegiate School in Memphis.
Union head coach Mark Campbell said, “As with any interview process, we want the best fit and best person for this position. As we narrowed the search, it was apparent to me and to our players that Sean brought a lot to the table. It came down to trust and I have had the opportunity to be around Sean daily for the past three years. He is a hard worker, he loves the game, he is energetic, he is consistent every day, he loves people, is a gifted communicator, and he loves Jesus. These attributes are who we are at Union University. He will help develop players and prepare our team to execute and I am really looking forward to working with him.”
Blackburn spent three seasons as an assistant for the Union men’s basketball team, two of those years as a graduate assistant. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Union in 2020.
“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity Coach Campbell has granted me with the position of head assistant,” said Blackburn. “I look forward to working with the girls and continuing to help build the Christ-centered program Coach Campbell has created. My main goal as an assistant coach here would be for every player that comes in contact with me to say I cared more about them as a person than a basketball player.”
A graduate of Cedarville University in 2018 with a degree in broadcasting and digital media, Blackburn also had a three-year playing career for the men’s basketball team. Blackburn was a Dean’s List student as a broadcasting and digital media major at Cedarville University.
Blackburn graduated from Harvest Preparatory High School in 2014. He played four years of basketball and achieved three letters at Harvest Preparatory. He starting point guard for the Ohio Division IV #1 ranked Warriors, who reached the state semifinals. Blackburn earned All-Mid-State League First Team recognition, all-county choice, member of the league, district, and regional championship squads, school’s all-time assist leader, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, picked up three letters in football and one more in track & field, and graduated with academic honors.
Blackburn is the son of Fred Parker and Racheal O’Neil and has three younger brothers and a younger sister.
Campbell added, “We wish Sara Hammond Barham the very best and I am really thankful for the time we spent together over the last four years! It is hard to keep great young coaches and Sean will be the next in the line of great assistant coaches in the program!”
(PHOTO: Sean Blackburn – courtesy Steven Aldridge – Union University Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communication)
