KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Longtime former McKendree University head men's basketball coach Harry Statham has been selected as the inaugural member of the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Class of 2022 as announced by the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame Committee on Sunday afternoon.
Statham, who spent 52 years as the head basketball coach from 1966 until his retirement in 2018, accumulated 1,122 wins in his career and his 1,122 wins are third-most by any men's or women's basketball coach at a four-year college or university. Currently, only current Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski and current Thomas Jefferson University coach Herb Magee have won more games as Krzyzewski has won 1,170 games and Magee has won 1,123 games. Both Krzyzewski and Magee have announced they plan to retire at the end of the 2021-22 season.
"Coach Statham is such an obvious choice for the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame that we decided to make the announcement during this special gathering by his former players to honor the man," Small College Basketball Founder John McCarthy said. "Since he recently became eligible, he will be first-ballot Hall of Fame Inductee. Not only did Coach Statham become the winningest coach in college basketball history during his tenure at McKendree, he became one of the most admired and respected coaches in America - in any sport, at any level - because of his class and his character."
Statham took over the McKendree men's basketball program prior to the 1966-67 season. Over his 52-year career, Statham's teams averaged nearly 23 wins per season. Statham led the Bearcats to post season play 40 times, including 15 trips to the NAIA national men's basketball championship. During his tenure, 70 players received post-season accolades, including ten players being named NAIA All–Americans. Furthermore, Statham coached three players who were drafted in the professional ranks.
"The name Harry Statham is synonymous with the NAIA and small college basketball. He is McKendree, and is the most prevalent man in the history of that school. His sticktoitiveness and durability are second to none, and he is to be lauded for his loyalty and passion for his school, the state of Illinois, and the game of basketball, all of which are unequal in any other man," National Hall of Fame Committee member Gary Pine said about Statham.
Among the players that played for Coach Statham at McKendree is current McKendree University President Daniel C. Dobbins, '81. Dobbins lettered for two seasons as a center with the Bearcats in 1980 and 1981.
"I am honored to have had the privilege to have played for Coach Statham. Becoming a Bearcat forever changed my life. Coach Statham has had a profound and deep impact on hundreds of young men that came to play for him at McKendree in his 52 years of service to the university and countless others who supported the program," Dobbins said. "He was a man of high integrity, class and character and this Hall of Fame honor is truly something that is much deserved. Mickey and I are truly happy for Coach Statham, his wife Rose and for every one of the basketball players that played for him at McKendree in his 52 years with the Bearcats."
In 1998 Statham was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. During his career, he was named the American Midwest Conference Coach of Year eight times and NAIA District 20 Coach of the Year six times. Statham was selected as the NAIA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year after the 2001-02 season. In 1987 Statham was inducted into the IBCA-NAIA Hall of Fame after being named NAIA-Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Men's Basketball Coach of the Year 12 times.
In 2005, Statham was awarded the Guardians of the Game Leadership Award presented by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. This award is voted on by fellow head coaches. In 2006, the Lebanon City Council honored Coach Statham by renaming a roadway the Harry Statham Way on the campus of McKendree. Additionally, the McKendree University gymnasium is named after Coach Statham and in 2012, he was inducted in the McKendree University Sports Hall of Fame. In 2018, Small College Basketball named a national award in his honor: The Harry Statham Coach of Impact Award.
Jim Carr, President and CEO of the NAIA, spoke about Coach Statham and his lasting impact on the game of basketball at the small college level.
"Harry Statham was one of the best coaches we have ever had in the NAIA and, more importantly, he is a better man. Coach Statham epitomized our Champions of Character initiative and has had a lifelong impact on hundreds of young men throughout his illustrious career. The NAIA was fortunate to have had him in our membership and I am fortunate to call him a friend."
The 2022 National Hall of Fame Class is selected by the distinguished Hall of Fame Committee including: Steve Knight, Don Landry, Mike Lightfoot, Danny Miles, Greg Moore, Jim Nelson, Doug Palm, Roy Pickerill, Gary Pine, Jim Poteet, Butch Raymond, John Rinka, Gary Stewart and Rick Zvosec.
Portions of this release appear courtesy of Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame
