McKendree University Athletics

Returning to the McKendree coaching staff for a seventh season is Eric Echelbarger. He will assist with on-the-floor coaching, scouting and recruting.

During his eight years as a member of the Bearcat basketball program (two as a player and six as a coach), Echelbarger has helped McKendree to 212 victories and five appearances at the NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship in Kansas City. The Bearcats have reached the American Midwest Conference Tournament championship contest in seven of the eight years.

As a player, Echelbarger helped lead McKendree to 64 wins and consecutive AMC championships. Echelbarger served as a co-captain on the Bearcats’ 2002-03 squad that posted a 34-4 record and advanced to the semifinal round of the NAIA national semifinals. He was a two-time member of the AMC Academic All-Conference squad and was named to the Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete team as a senior in 2002-03.

Echelbarger graduated from McKendree in 2003 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. He completed requirements for a master’s degree in education this past May. In addition to his coaching duties, Echelbarger has served as the director of the McKendree Basketball Camp each of the last four summers. He is also an associate instructor in the McKendree physical education department.

Echelbarger and his wife, Ericka (who is a 2005 McKendree graduate), were married in 2007. The couple resides in Swansea.