Old Dominion legend Odell Hodge returns to Norfolk to serve as special assistant to the head coach, his former ODU teammate Mike Jones.
“It is always easy and exciting to welcome one of our own back home. But what Odell represents is truly unique and our players will benefit greatly. He has run an entire professional organization in Europe and helped some of Belgium’s best players develop. His infectious personality and ability to connect with anyone will make him an immediate superstar in our locker room and in the community,” said Jones.
Hodge finished his career as one of only four Virginia Division I collegians to score over 2,000 career points and haul in over 1,000 career rebounds. He was named CAA Player Of the Year and Tournament MVP in 1994 and 1997.
Finishing his career at ODU in 1997, Hodge recorded 2,117 points and 1,086 rebounds. He was named to the CAA's All-Defensive squad in 1997 and ranks 14th all-time in CAA scoring, fourth in career blocked shots with 286, and fifth in CAA history in rebounds.
In 1997, he was the recipient of the CAA's prestigious Dean Ehlers Award for his sportsmanship, leadership and community service. He was very active as a student athlete in the Monarch Reachout program.
“Coming back home, means the world to me. This is the only place that I would have left Europe for. The time was right to come back and working with Coach Jones makes it perfect. I'm the new kid/old man on staff and I am looking forward to learning a lot from these outstanding coaches,” said Hodge.
As a senior, Hodge helped lead the Monarchs to a 22-11 record, capturing the CAA crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He also earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American honors and NABC first team All-District honors in 1997. Hodge was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 1993 and a freshman All-American. He missed the 1995 season with a knee injury.
The Martinsville, Virginia native was also the all-time scorer in Virginia High School league history when he finished at Laurel Park High School. He scored 786 points in his senior season which ranked among the top 25 all-time in the state of Virginia when he graduated.
After ODU, he played and coached professionally in Turkey and Belgium from 1997-2013. Following his playing career, he coached in the Belgium Professional League for Hasselt Bt for four seasons. He also worked with Limburg United in the Belgium First Division in a variety of roles including overseeing the youth academy and helped expand the professional teams.
For the last five years, Hodge worked with GSG Aarschot serving as sport manager helping lead them to three youth national championships and four senior national championships.
He received his degree in recreation and leisure studies in 1997 and was inducted into the ODU Hall of Fame in 2005. His #33 jersey was retired on February 12, 2010.
Hodge and his wife Sofie Ceyssens have two sons: Matthew and Jayden.
“It is always easy and exciting to welcome one of our own back home. But what Odell represents is truly unique and our players will benefit greatly. He has run an entire professional organization in Europe and helped some of Belgium’s best players develop. His infectious personality and ability to connect with anyone will make him an immediate superstar in our locker room and in the community,” said Jones.
Hodge finished his career as one of only four Virginia Division I collegians to score over 2,000 career points and haul in over 1,000 career rebounds. He was named CAA Player Of the Year and Tournament MVP in 1994 and 1997.
Finishing his career at ODU in 1997, Hodge recorded 2,117 points and 1,086 rebounds. He was named to the CAA's All-Defensive squad in 1997 and ranks 14th all-time in CAA scoring, fourth in career blocked shots with 286, and fifth in CAA history in rebounds.
In 1997, he was the recipient of the CAA's prestigious Dean Ehlers Award for his sportsmanship, leadership and community service. He was very active as a student athlete in the Monarch Reachout program.
“Coming back home, means the world to me. This is the only place that I would have left Europe for. The time was right to come back and working with Coach Jones makes it perfect. I'm the new kid/old man on staff and I am looking forward to learning a lot from these outstanding coaches,” said Hodge.
As a senior, Hodge helped lead the Monarchs to a 22-11 record, capturing the CAA crown and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He also earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American honors and NABC first team All-District honors in 1997. Hodge was the CAA Rookie of the Year in 1993 and a freshman All-American. He missed the 1995 season with a knee injury.
The Martinsville, Virginia native was also the all-time scorer in Virginia High School league history when he finished at Laurel Park High School. He scored 786 points in his senior season which ranked among the top 25 all-time in the state of Virginia when he graduated.
After ODU, he played and coached professionally in Turkey and Belgium from 1997-2013. Following his playing career, he coached in the Belgium Professional League for Hasselt Bt for four seasons. He also worked with Limburg United in the Belgium First Division in a variety of roles including overseeing the youth academy and helped expand the professional teams.
For the last five years, Hodge worked with GSG Aarschot serving as sport manager helping lead them to three youth national championships and four senior national championships.
He received his degree in recreation and leisure studies in 1997 and was inducted into the ODU Hall of Fame in 2005. His #33 jersey was retired on February 12, 2010.
Hodge and his wife Sofie Ceyssens have two sons: Matthew and Jayden.