Coach Griffith heads to Japan with C.A.E.O.S. Foundation

(New Orleans) Bernard Griffith, legendary head coach of the Dillard Bleu Devils basketball team, in conjunction with the C.A.E.O.S. (Creating Access to Educational Opportunities through Sports) Foundation, is heading to Japan to conduct a four-day basketball clinic.

"We are going to Japan to put on a coaching clinic with CAEOS for not only American kids in Japan who live on military bases, but also for Japanese kids around the area who play basketball," said Griffith.

The CAEOS Foundation was created to assist ethnically diverse students in accessing educational opportunities through sports participation. One of its fundamental goals is to provide student members with multi-level support in their pursuit of obtaining a college education.

"Whether the kids receive an athletic, academic or military scholarship, we are getting a chance to give Dillard University some exposure," said Griffith.

Coach Griffith is no stranger to the big stage. After winning just three games during the season, he led his team, comprised of only freshman and sophomores, to the 2013 Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Championship game where they fell to Philander Smith. Also from 2005-2007, Griffith served as an assistant coach for the Dallas Mavericks. Despite having coached a St. Augustine High School team to a USA Today and ESPN National Championship, he has never made a trek across the world like this.

"This is my first time going to Japan," said Griffith. "Basketball opens up a lot of doors."

*Photo provided by Nelson Chenault