Columbia, Mo. — After a storied 31-year career, Columbia College Men's Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Bob Burchard has announced that he will retire following the 2018-19 basketball season.

"Bob has positively impacted thousands of lives over his three decades at CC. He has served as role model and mentor not just to the athletes on his teams, but to countless others," Columbia College President Scott Dalrymple said. "He has earned the respect of his staff members, his athletic peers nationwide, his colleagues across the college, the media, and the community. It seems no exaggeration to say that Bob Burchard is a legend at Columbia College, and beyond."

Burchard, whose career began at Columbia College in 1988, is a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, the NAIA Hall of Fame and is the only NAIA basketball coach to serve on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Board of Directors. Under his guidance, the men's basketball team has registered a 781-261 record (as of Jan. 15), good for a .749 winning percentage. He ranks No. 1 among all active NAIA men's coaches in wins and is 33rd all-time among all college basketball coaches in that category. The Cougars have reached the NAIA National Tournament 22 times during Burchard's tenure as coach including a run to the NAIA National Championship game in 2009.

In 2010, Burchard received one of the NABC's highest awards, the Guardians of the Game Leadership Pillar Award. The goal of that program is to focus attention on the positive aspects of basketball and the role coaches play in the lives of student-athletes, in addition to the contributions coaches make to their communities. The Guardians of the Game program emphasizes the four core values of advocacy, leadership, service and education.

The Cougar Athletic Department has also prospered with Burchard at the helm. The program has grown from five sports in 2011 to 18 sports currently. It also took home the American Midwest Conference President's Cup in each of the last two seasons as the top-performing athletic department in the conference. The program also recently registered its best showing in the NAIA Learfield Director's Cup standings in 2018, finishing 12th. As Burchard concludes his service to the college, a national search for his replacement will begin soon.

"Columbia College is a special place," Burchard said. "I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve the institution and our students."

In October 2012, Columbia College, along with alumni, colleagues, former athletes and friends joined together to establish the Bob Burchard Celebration of Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship provides support for student-athletes and the Department of Athletics at Columbia College. To honor Coach Burchard with a gift to the Bob Burchard Celebration of Excellence Scholarship, please visit my.ccis.edu/burchard.

Founded in 1851 in Columbia, Missouri, Columbia College has been helping students advance their lives through higher education for more than 165 years. As a private, nonprofit, liberal arts and sciences institution, the college takes pride in its small classes, experienced faculty and quality educational programs. The college, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, has more than 30 locations and offers day, evening and online classes. Columbia College educates more than 20,000 students each year and has more than 89,000 alumni worldwide. For more information, visit ccis.edu.

LIBERTY, MO - After four decades of service, William Jewell College head men's basketball coach Larry Holley has announced that he will retire following the conclusion of the 2018-2019 season. There will be a formal recognition of Holley's extraordinary career during his final home game, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, February 23, at the Mabee Center.

"I am thankful for the opportunity I've had to work alongside Coach Holley as a coach and administrator," said Athletic Director Tom Eisenhauer. "His love of the game and passion for Jewell is surpassed only by the love and passion he has for his family. I've always admired his uncanny ability to befriend anyone he meets by making a connection with them. I wish Coach nothing but the best in retirement and hope he knows how much he'll be missed around here."

Holley was named the head coach of the William Jewell College men's basketball program in the spring of 1979 and has been a constant on the sideline ever since, leading the Cardinals to unparalleled success. At the helm of the Jewell program, he owns 830 wins, 12 conference championships, twenty-five 20-win seasons, including 14 with 25 or more wins, and topped the 30-win plateau four times. In addition, he has coached 17 players to 24 NAIA All-America selections. He has also led the Cardinals to 14 NAIA National Tournament appearances, including three Elite Eights and four Final Fours.

Off the court, Holley served as a faculty member in the Department of Physical Education for more than 35 years, started the annual tradition of the High School Holiday Classic, which recently completed its 39th edition, as well as the well-respected Cardinal Basketball camps in the summer of 1980, and helped spearhead the start of the William Jewell Athletic Hall of Fame, which has now inducted more than 150 individuals and teams. Perhaps most impressive however, is that more than 96 percent of his fourth-year players have earned a William Jewell degree.

"I have always said that William Jewell was the perfect place for me as a student and it's been the perfect place for me as a coach," said Holley. "This has been my home for 44 of my 73 years. It has been a privilege and honor to coach the Cardinals for the past 40 years."

Over the course of his 48-year career as a collegiate head coach he has won 916 games, making him the winningest coach in the state of Missouri and ninth all-time among men's coaches at all levels of collegiate basketball, having surpassed Bob Knight in February 2018. In addition, he has been inducted into five halls of fame and is a 15-time Coach of the Year, including the Sears/NABC NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1996 and the 2018 Kansas City Sports Commission Coach of the Year.

Holley has been the recipient of the 2011 Earl Smith Award from the Kansas City Sports Commission, inducting him into the Greater Kansas City Amateur Sports Hall of Champions. In addition, he has received three lifetime achievement awards, including the William Jewell Citation for Achievement in 2009, given to alumni for outstanding contributions to their field. In 2014 he was presented with the Gary Filbert Award for lifetime achievement, which is the highest honor presented by the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association, and in 2018 he received the Lambda Chi Alpha's Order of Achievement from the national chapter, the highest honor granted to an alumnus of the fraternity for career success.

A 1967 William Jewell graduate, Holley earned varsity letters in basketball, cross country, and track and field for the Cardinals, and was named the Athlete of the Year as a senior. On the court, he scored 1,122 points and received All-Conference and All-District honors in 1967. Much like he is as a coach, Holley was heavily involved off the court, serving as president of his fraternity, president of the J-Club, vice president of the 1967 senior class, member of the chapel choir, concert and pep bands, Aeons Men's Honors Fraternity, and was the recipient of the Colonel Alexander Doniphan Award voted by the senior class as the man mostly likely to succeed.

Born and raised in Jameson, Mo., he graduated as the valedictorian of his senior class and was involved in numerous activities including basketball, track and field, music and speech.

Holley has three daughters with his late wife, Ann: 1998 William Jewell graduate Lindsay, 2002 Jewell graduate Lauren, and youngest daughter, 2003 Drake University graduate Lacey. Today, he is married to wife Linda, of 10 years, and is the proud grandfather of Reagan, Evan, Brea and Stevie.

"I have been so very blessed to have had numerous outstanding student-athletes in our basketball program along with excellent assistant coaches, supportive administrations, and most of all an amazing and loyal family. I have said on many occasions that I have 'out kicked my coverage' twice with my wife of 31-plus years Ann (and our beautiful daughters and grandchildren) and my wife of 10-plus years, Linda and her marvelous family. I haven't lived a perfect life but a lot of perfect things have happened to me along the way and family and William Jewell tops the list," said Holley.

William Jewell College will immediately begin a national search to identify the next head coach of the Cardinal men's basketball program. Interested individuals should submit an application, resume and letter of interest at jewell.edu/employment.

Moberly Greyhounds coach Pat Smith has won over 700 games in his NJCAA coaching career. Coach Smith has certainly earned his way as one of three inductees to the 2019 class of the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Smith has racked up 716 career wins throughout his NJCAA coaching career which includes stops at Lincoln Land (IL), Wabash Valley (IL), Barton (KS), Jacksonville (TX), and Trinity Valley (TX).The Hounds currently have a record of 15-5 for the 2018-19 season.

The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association is set to present another outstanding Norm Stewart Classic 48 Hours of Hoop at Columbia College, in Columbia, Missouri. 

The MBCA is currently seeking information on top teams from around the Show-Me State for the Pre-Season basketball rankings.

Dear MBCA Coaches:

Today is the day many of us have been waiting for.  Opening day of the high school basketball season.

Many of you and your athletes have put in a lot of off season hours and effort preparing for this day.  I would like to wish you all the best of luck and a successful season. Remember, the MBCA is an organization that promotes basketball throughout the state of Missouri and as a part of that promotion we strive to support our members.  As coaches, we will experience highs as well as a few lows, but, as we all know, the rewards are the opportunities we have to spend with our teams and see them grow together. Also, don’t forget to enjoy the moments you have to share with your staff as well.  As you celebrate the victories on the scoreboard, don’t forget to celebrate the victories off the court as well.

Again, best of luck as all our Missouri coaches, players, officials and others prepare to hit the court.

Brad Conway

MBCA, President

It is that time of the year again!  Time to pool our knowledge and predict who is going to be the best teams in the state again this year.  However before we get going with that I have to inform all of you that my Reign of Terror on the polls is over.  I am no longer coaching in the state of Missouri and therefore will not be putting together the polls.  Thank you for all of the help over the years.  It allowed me to learn a lot more about basketball across the state of Missouri and how passionate fans are. 

I am asking you for one final favor as I ride off into the sunset.  IF YOU ARE WILLING TO HELP OUT AGAIN THIS YEAR WILL YOU SEND AN EMAIL TO:

polls@mobca.org

Please let them know whether you are willing to help out with gathering records and information on the teams or if you would just like to be a voter.  Remember the more information gathered the more accurate the polls can be.  Thank you all again!  Feel free to let me know if you have any questions. 

Adam Thornhill

Darrin Young

2018 Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame Class announced

The 2018 induction class into the Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame (SASHOF) includes five individuals whose competitive and energetic skills have set them apart.  Their accomplishments extend over several decades in Springfield and beyond.

The 2018 class was announced Tuesday in a luncheon at the O’Reilly Family Events Center at Drury University.  Inductees include local high school and college basketball coach Nyla Milleson, local high school legendary coaches Mike Keltner and Roy Green, famed Harlem Globetrotter and Central High School standout Manny Oliver, and LPGA Champion and professional golfer Cathy Reynolds.

The new inductees will be enshrined during the SASHOF annual banquet on Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at the Oasis Convention Center in Springfield. 

The Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1985 by Bonus Frost to honor those individuals from the Springfield area, or have a connection to the Springfield area, whose accomplishments merit consideration for the shrine.  This is the 32nd SASHOF induction class and will bring the total membership of the hall to 130 people.

Selections are made by the SASHOF Board of Directors which meets monthly to plan the year’s activities.  SASHOF is a not-for-profit organization and the proceeds from annual induction banquets are made available to local youth groups for the purchase of sports equipment.  Since its establishment, SASHOF has provided over $310,000.00 to over two dozen youth groups and organizations.

 Profiles of the 2018 Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame:

MIKE KELTNER

Mike Keltner likely accomplished more, in less time, than most potential hall of famers.  While some spend decades building their hall of fame resumes, it took Keltner slightly more than twenty years to compile his hall of fame worthy scrapbook. A lifelong Ozark native and graduate of Hillcrest High School and then Southwest Missouri State University, there was never much doubt that Keltner would ultimately coach the game of basketball.  The family bloodline ran deep in the coaching ranks, as his father and uncles preceded him, in coaching more than a half dozen area high school teams over the years. His playing days as a member of the Southwest Missouri State Bears included being part of the 1974 NCAA Division II championship runner-up team.  Upon graduation, he returned to Hillcrest High School where he began his coaching tenure with the freshman and then junior varsity programs for 8 seasons.  In 1984, he made the move across Springfield to become the head coach of the Glendale High School program and for the next 15 seasons guided the Falcons to high levels of success, winning 293 and losing 127.  Included in those nearly 300 victories were 8 Ozark Conference Championships, 7 District titles, two trips to the Missouri High School Basketball Final Four and in 1994 Glendale was the first area program to capture the championship of the prestigious Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions event. His personal honors matched that of his teams, as he was 9 times selected as the Springfield Tipoff Club Coach of the Year, was nominated 6 times as the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year and in 2013 was inducted by the MBCA into its Hall of Fame. His coaching success however was not limited to the game of basketball.  In 1976 and again in 1979 he guided to the Hillcrest American Legion baseball program to a pair of Missouri State American Legion Championships and was twice named the State American Legion Coach of the Year. Despite stepping away from the coaching ranks nearly 20 years ago, Keltner has remained a fixture on the local basketball scene, serving as radio color commentator for many seasons on Missouri State University Bears games.

ROY GREEN

Roy Green became a household name in Springfield basketball circles through his college playing career followed by 38 seasons as a high school coach with a level of sustained success which has earned him a spot in the 2018 Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame induction class. A native of Camdenton, Mo., Green was an all-state player at Camdenton High School and won three varsity letters with the Missouri State University Bears between 1963 and 1966. After three seasons of high school coaching at Miller and Willow Springs, Green joined the United States Army and earned a Bronze Star Award in Vietnam with his 1969-71 Army service. With a master’s degree from University of Central Missouri in 1973, Green was an assistant coach from 1971 to 1983 at Springfield Glendale High. He started a 26-year run of success as head coach at Kickapoo High from 1983 to 2009. His 558-186 (.753) record with the Kickapoo Chiefs marked the most wins and highest winning percentage of any coach in Springfield public high school history. His teams won 14 Ozark Conference titles, 16 district championships and made it to the state semifinals five times with large-class school state titles in 2003 and 2006, a state runner-up finish in 1987 and state third place spots in 1992 and 2005. Green’s KHS teams were nationally-ranked six times and he was the Springfield Tipoff Club Coach of the Year 10 times and the MBCA Coach of the Year three times. He was inducted into the MBCA Hall of Fame in 2005, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and received a Missouri State University Outstanding Alumni Award in 2005.

NYLA MILLESON

Nyla Milleson’s basketball coaching history has been highlighted by three successful stints in Springfield as she joins the 2018 Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame induction class. Prior to her current five-year stint at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., Milleson spent 19 years at one high school and two college posts in Springfield, logging 20-win campaigns, league titles and postseason success at all three. A native of Goodland, Kan., Milleson came to Springfield as Glendale High coach in 1992. A 1985 magna cum laude graduate of Kansas State University, Milleson guided the Lady Falcons to six straight 20-win seasons and was 1996 MBCA and AP Missouri Coach of the Year as GHS was 27-3 and captured a Class 4A state title. Milleson crossed town to start the first women’s program at Drury University, taking Drury to phenomenal success from 2000 to 2007, winning 20 or more six times, capturing six conference titles, playing in five straight NCAA Division II tournaments, and finishing as 2004 Division II national runner-up. She was a four-time Heartland Conference Coach of the Year with a 185-36 Drury record (.837). Moving locally again, Milleson went to Missouri State in 2007 and her third club posted the nation’s seventh best winning turnaround at 22-11. It was the first of three straight 20-win MSU seasons as the Lady Bears earned a Missouri Valley Conference title and played in three straight WNIT events. In 2013, Milleson went to George Mason, and 2017-18 was her breakthrough year with a 24-10 record and WNIT trip. It was GMU’s first winning season in 14 years, set a school victory record, and produced GMU’s first postseason victory.

The 4 States Basketball Coaches Association is proud to present their coaching clinic on October 19th at Joplin High School. 

The MBCA is pleased to welcome Nancy Fahey who will speak at the 2018 clinic in Columbia.