AJ Saffell begins his first season as a graduate assistant at Cumberland after serving as a team manager from 2004-08.

His duties as a graduate assistant include developing the players academically through study hall sessions, day-to-day operations of basketball related activities, and various other tasks delegated by coaches. He helped with game and practice preparations, film study, setup and breakdown of team equipment for games and practices and managing player clothing needs as a team manager.

The Nashville, Tenn., native earned his bachelor’s in Business Administration from Cumberland in December 2008. He was a member of Phi Beta Lambda Business Fraternity at CU, served as a Resident Life Assistant and was a member of the Band of Phoenix during his collegiate career.

He has been actively involved in community service, tutoring young children, coaching youth athletes and participating in youth development programs. Saffell is currently working on his master’s in Education at Cumberland.