Art Claybon, the only person to both play and coach representing the Hood College men's basketball team in the NCAA Tournament, joined the coaching staff at his alma mater in 2019-20.Â
During his playing career, the Blazers won a CAC regular season title and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament (2006-2007). That team was later inducted into the Hood College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Claybon graduated from Hood College with a degree in social work, then went on to earn his master’s degree in social work from Salisbury University.  In 2014, Art and his business partners opened up the City of Frederick's first basketball training facility, Zone 24 (formally known as The Hoop Zone). He has worked with hundreds of local youth to enhance their basketball skill development. Claybon is also the founder and director of the grassroots basketball exposure program, Maryland Movement.Â
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As an alumnus, he brings a great deal of knowledge of both the basketball history, and the academic fortitude, of Hood College. Claybon, a seasoned recruiter, is also very well-connected with the local and regional basketball scene.
