McKendree University Athletics

Lawrence ‘Trend’ Blackledge joined the McKendree University men's basketball coaching staff for the 2020-21 season and he is entering his second season as an assistant coach in 2022-23. 

Blackledge joined the Bearcats after serving as the assistant coach for Adams State University. There, Blackledge was tasked with coaching the perimeter players and preparing scouts for their opponents. In his role as assistant, he oversaw equipment ordering and inventory, management of the locker and training rooms, coordinated recruiting, admissions, and academic support services, and managed player relations for the Grizzlies.

Prior to his time at Adams State University, Blackledge served one season as the men’s basketball assistant coach at Southwestern Illinois Community College (2019-20) where he was an integral part in recruiting. In addition to reviewing and collaborating game film with the team, Blackledge developed and managed individual player’s workouts, analyzed the player’s and team’s statistics, and monitored student-athletes in all athletic and academic-related activities.

Before his coaching career, Blackledge was a professional basketball player in Japan and Canada (2009-18). He competed with the following programs:

Blackledge earned his Associates of Arts Degree from Southwestern Illinois Community College in 2006, and his B.A in Communication from Marquette University in 2009.