New Monroe Basketball Coach to Stress Discipline, Academics

Winning games might still present a problem but the new Monroe High basketball coach probably won’t face many disciplinary problems next season. The Vikings have hired Wayne Fluker, a former Cal State Northridge player and assistant, to replace Cliff Burems, who resigned after a 1-16 season last winter.

Fluker is a 6-7, 240-pound former center who earned a reputation as a hard-nosed player for the Matadors.

He also served a four-year stint in the Marines, reaching the rank of sergeant before his 20th birthday. Fluker vows to run a tight ship, emphasizing academics and discipline.

“I don’t think anyone thought of me as a bully but I was known as an intimidator and a hard-nosed player. I want that to carry over in coaching,” he said.

“There are a variety of ways to lose a basketball game but there are three ways we won’t lose a game. We won’t lose because we’re out of shape, undisciplined or because of academic problems.”

Fluker, 28, graduated from South Shore High in Brooklyn, N. Y., before serving in the Marines. He came west and played at the junior college level at Mira Costa before transferring to CSUN, where he earned his degree last season.

His last playing season was 1985 and he served as an assistant there for three years.