March 14, 2007

The National Association of Basketball Coaches will present its eleventh annual Outstanding Service Award at the Division III meeting of this year's NABC Convention in Atlanta, GA on March 31, 2007. The award has been presented annually since 1997 and is given to coaches whose actions "inside and outside the lines" of coaching have distinguished them as valuable members of their communities.

Three extremely deserving coaches will be recognized at the convention. This year's honorees are Bob Johnson Basketball Coach at Emory & Henry College (VA)), Gary Smith Basketball Coach at University of Redlands (CA), and Ira Zeff Director of Athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan University (NE).

Bob Johnson is synonymous with Emory & Henry Basketball. Since 1981, Bob has directed the Wasps to 370 victories. Five time participants in the NCAA tournament with two of those resulting in Sweet Sixteen appearances. In his 27 year tenure, Coach Johnson has garnered 3 ODAC Coach of the Year Awards and 3 South Region Coach of the Year Awards. Coach Johnson taught Western Civilization for 17 years and a full teaching load for 27 years at Emory & Henry College. He received the James A. Davis Faculty Award for excellence in teaching and outstanding service beyond the classroom. Bob is a combat veteran of Vietnam with the Ranger Platoon of the 101st Airborne Division. Bob and his wife Sherry have two children, Leigh and Casey.

For parts of five decades Gary Smith has been a part of University of Redlands Basketball. From 1961, when he matriculated to college, to 2007 his 36th season as Head Basketball Coach, he has been a fixture on the campus for all but six of those 46 years. Gary has compiled more wins in the SCIAC than any coach in its history. He was named the NCAA West Region Coach of the Year. His team has led the nation in scoring and his 2004-05 team holds the NCAA All-Division record of 132.4 points per game. Coach Smith also served as an Assistant Coach for the West Team at the United States Olympic Festival in 1994. Gary has also a longtime member of the NABC, the American Association of University Professors and President of Kappa Sigma Sigma Alumni Association. Gary and his wife Carol have two children, Christina and Karen.

Ira Zeff has been an avid proponent of collegiate athletics and basketball for the past 33 years. Coach Zeff earned his Doctorate Degree in 1985 while serving as an assistant basketball coach at the University of New Mexico. Ira was the Athletic Director and Basketball Coach at Blackburn College (IL) for seven years. He has been the Director of Athletics at Nebraska Wesleyan University for the past 9 years. Coach Zeff served as chair of the NCAA Div III Men's Basketball Committee and is also a member of the Championships Committee. Promoting Division III Basketball has been a high priority of his collegiate tenure. Dr. Zeff has participated in Lend a Hand community outreach program and is a March of Dimes volunteer and fundraiser.

The NABC is extremely pleased to honor these gentlemen. They have been ideal coaches throughout their careers. Not only as great teachers, but also as great men in what they have given back to their communities. Like all great coaches they are educators first and foremost. Not only have they done a terrific job in communicating strategies and techniques to their respective teams, they have also distinguished themselves as wonderful examples to their players and associates. These men embody the spirit of coaching. They chose to become involved to make their communities better places for everyone. These men exemplify excellence in athletics and personify the leadership qualities of exceptional people. They are the definition of role models.

Contact: Pat Cunningham
pcunning@trinity.edu
(210) 999 -8275