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Belmont men's basketball coach selected to NAIA Hall of Fame Thursday, Oct 9, 2003 By Staff |
OLATHE, Kan. (BP)--Belmont University head men’s basketball coach Rick Byrd has been selected to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.Byrd, along with 21 others, comprises the Class of 2003-04. Induction to the NAIA Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor bestowed by the association, and the tribute is in recognition of a person exemplifying the highest ideals of intercollegiate athletics and fine moral character. Previous inductees include Bruce Jenner, Jack Kemp and Willis Reed. The 22-year coaching veteran put together an illustrious career during his coaching tenure in the NAIA which came to an end following the 1995-96 season in which Belmont University jumped to NCAA-I competition. During his 15 years of NAIA competition, Byrd posted a 367-152 record including an incredible 197-40 mark in conference play. In 1995, the Knoxville, Tenn., native was named NAIA National Coach of the Year on his way to leading Belmont to a school best 37-2 record, 18-0 conference record, first-ever number one national ranking and an appearance in the NAIA Final Four. “This is a very meaningful award to me,” Byrd said. “There were a lot of people over a long period of time that helped me get into a position to receive this honor. I want our players to know that this is very much their award as well. Nobody ever hired me to be an NCAA Division I coach. I always wanted to coach and will say that I am a small college coach with pride.” Over his last four seasons in the NAIA, Belmont averaged 31 wins per season and earned four consecutive NAIA National Tournament berths. Six players combined to earn 11 NAIA All-American honors for Byrd, but the accomplishments did not end on the court. The 1993-94 Belmont squad received the Dr. James Naismith National Sportsmanship Award and five student-athletes were named NAIA Academic All-American. This is the second straight season that Belmont University has been recognized by the NAIA in such a manner. Last year, three-time NAIA All-American Joe Behling took his place in the Hall of Fame as well. Byrd has an overall record of 438-248 including a 346-193 mark in 17 seasons at Belmont. Last season, Belmont put together its most successful campaign since the school’s heyday in the NAIA, going 17-12 and capturing the Atlantic Sun Conference North Division title. Byrd will be inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame at the NAIA’s Men’s Basketball Championship in Kansas City, Mo., in March 2004. --30--
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