Hall of Fame
Harry Statham is a true coaching legend. After beginning his coaching career at the high school level with stops at Manito Foreman and Dwight high schools, Harry returned to his alma mater in 1966 to embark on what would become one of the most remarkable careers in the history of men's college basketball.
At the time of his induction, Harry stands atop the list of men's college basketball all-time wins leaders. Through the 2011-12 season, he has earned 1,061 victories and stands to date as the only men's college basketball coach at the four-year level with more than 1,000 victories. He reached the 1,000-win mark in November 2009, joining former University of Tennessee women's coach Pat Summitt as the only coaches with 1,000 career victories. In addition to the wins mark, Harry is the all-time leader in games coached with 1,474 entering the 2012-13 season.
On Dec. 1, 2004, Harry became the all-time wins leader in college basketball history with career victory No. 880 in the Bearcats' 83-72 win over Maryville University. That win enabled Harry to surpass Dean Smith for the career wins record in front of a sellout crowd. The milestone victory garnered national media attention for both Statham and McKendree.
The list of honors earned by Harry throughout his McKendree coaching career is endless. He was named the 2001- 02 NATA Coach of the Year. In addition, Harry collected the American Midwest Conference Coach of the Year eight different times, and was a 12-time recipient of the NATA-IBCA Coach of the Year honor. His McKendree teams have won 12 conference championships, and he led the Bearcats to 15 appearances at the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship. Under his guidance the 2002-03 squad reached the national tournament semifinals. To honor these and other career achievements, Harry was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1998.
Harry accomplished many of his coaching milestones while also serving in the dual role of director of athletics at McKendree. Under his leadership, the McKendree athletic department increased the number of intercollegiate sports offerings from six to 20. He was recognized as the 1999 NATA Central Region Athletic Director of the Year, and is also a past recipient of the AMC Athletic Director of the Year award.
