Thanks to Coach Steve Platt
Coach Steve Platt Retires after 14 Successful Seasons
THE END OF AN ERA
Steve Platt retired as Head Coach of the Foresters in April. As Head Coach for 14 years, Platt had the most wins (329) and the best win percentage (69.6%) of any coach in the history of Huntington men's basketball.
OUTSTANDING TEN-YEAR RECORD
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Over the last ten years, Coach Platt led the Foresters to a 258-83 record (a 75.7% win ratio).
Platt was 131-44 versus teams in the MCC Conference (74.9%), and ended with a 33-12 record in post-season tournaments (73.3%).
Under Platt's guidance, the Foresters won five MCC Conference titles and five Tournament Championships. In |
the last nine years, HU appeared in seven NAIA National Tournaments and made two Final Four appearances.
Steve Platt was twice named MCC Coach of the Year (2002 and 2008) by fellow MCC head coaches.
IT WAS ABOUT MORE THAN WINNING
Players under Coach Platt earned 23 All-American honors, including one NAIA D2 Player of the Year. In his 14-year career, Coach Platt had players named to All-MCC teams 43 times; eight were named MCC Player of the Year.
In September, Platt received the Huntington University Foundation's Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his “outstanding leadership and service as well as the national attention he has brought to Huntington,” as noted in the award citation.
"I inherited a program, and I wanted to leave it better than I found it," Platt said. Indeed he did. He inherited a program with more losses than wins, and turned it into one with more wins than losses.
RECOGNITION OF DEDICATED SERVICE
New Head Coach Ty Platt offered the following comment. “I think the world of my dad. He's been a teacher for me and a leader for me for 38 years. What he's done in his 14 years at Huntington is nothing short of amazing.”
HU President Dowden remarked, “No one has had a larger impact on Forester men's basketball than Steve Platt. I am filled with gratitude for the countless hours of service and leadership that he has invested in our men's basket-ball program over the past 14 years.”
As fans, we came to expect the annual development of teams throughout the year and the gradual development of players over their four-year careers; our expectations were met. Thank you, Steve Platt, for your dedication.
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New Three-Point Line in 2008
The Line Moves Back One Foot to 20' 9” This Season
In college courts across the country a new three-point line has been painted on the floor. But the old three-point line remains on the floor too, because only the men's line is different.
As a result, there will be two three-point lines on the floor this season; the women's line at 19' 9” and the men's line at 20' 9”. Some are concerned that the two lines will be confusing to the players and officials, as well as the fans.
We asked Ty Platt what effect he thought this might have on the game. "I think the new three-point line may change the shooting percentage somewhat," he said, "but not drastically. It does add to what the officials must watch, but the two lines are a different color. I'm sure if an official misses a call, our fans will help him out."
Hard to say what it may mean to MCC teams, but here's some statistics as to the importance of the three-point shot in each MCC team's arsenal last season:
2007-08
Statistics |
3-Pt FG
Percent |
Pct 3-Pt Atts
of Total Atts |
Pct 3-Pt Pts
of Total Pts |
Bethel
Goshen
Grace
Huntington
Ind Wesleyan
Marian
Spring Arbor
St Francis
Taylor |
34.9%
35.1%
34.6%
36.4%
39.1%
34.9%
39.4%
31.4%
38.0% |
26.2%
34.9%
28.1%
30.1%
36.7%
36.6%
34.4%
28.1%
39.6% |
19.9%
28.0%
22.7%
24.4%
32.7%
32.4%
31.7%
22.0%
33.7% |
The MCC Conference Has Its First Ever Commissioner
J. D. Collins Named Commissioner of the MCC Conference
In June of this year, the MCC announced that J. D. Collins would become the first Commissioner of the Conference. Collins is a former Indiana businessman and veteran college basketball referee at the NCAA D1 level.
In making the announcement, Dr. Henry Smith, President of the MCC Council of Presidents, said it had become increasingly apparent that the MCC needed a chief administrative officer to reach "a new level of efficiency, effectiveness and national recognition."
Collins is very familiar with the MCC. He graduated from Indiana Wesleyan and started his college officiating career in the MCC. He officiated at the small college level for six years before moving on to NCAA D1 basketball in 1991. He officiated in the last nine NCAA Tournaments, including two Final Fours and two Elite Eights.
Collins lives in Hartford City, IN.
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