CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rogers State Head Men's Basketball Coach Justin Barkley announced the hiring of Ben Rovenstine as an assistant coach Tuesday.
 
Rovenstine takes over the vacancy left when Vinay Patel departed to assume the role of head coach at Oklahoma City University.
 
"Ben is a guy I've had my eyes on for some time," Barkley said. "I feel like he will adapt to our philosophy and program very quickly. We are excited to have him and his family on board."
 
Rovenstine joins the program from Independence Community College, having spent two years as an assistant coach. With the Pirates, he identified and signed potential student-athletes, assisted in enrollment and tracking academic progress, as well as establishing and implementing the strength and conditioning regiment.
 
Prior to his position at ICC, he worked one season as assistant coach at Allen Community College from 2012-13 and one at Coffeyville Community College from 2011-12 following a stint as the graduate assistant coach at Northeastern State between 2009 and 2011.
 
The Bartlesville, Oklahoma native had a remarkable career for the Bruins earning all-state honors as a senior leading the team to the 2005 Oklahoma Class 6A state championship game.
 
He holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Northeastern State University, where he was a standout on the men's basketball team.
 
The Hillcats face their first exhibition test of the season Nov. 2 in a matchup at NCAA Division I Oral Roberts. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mabee Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and can be heard live on the Hillcat Network at www.rsuhillcats.com.