Men's Basketball To Host Coaches Clinic on October 14
Sep 7, 2023 | Men's Basketball
Admission is $40 per coach, and $10 for each additional staff member. Coaches can register here.
"This Clinic has a power punch of information & insight into the coaching profession," noted Crutchfield. "It will be headlined by Lon Kruger who has taken 5 teams to the NCAA Sweet 16. There will be an opportunity to learn from coaches at each level, and we are excited to open the door to all the coaches in the area."
Coach Lofton has been at the helm of Kearney's men's basketball program for 28 seasons. During his tenure, the team recorded its first back-to-back 20-win seasons in a decade back in 2015 and 2016. The Lopers advanced to the 2016 NCAA Division II Tournament round of 32 and reached the MIAA (Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Assoc.) Tournament quarterfinals in five of the last nine years. That includes two trips to the conference semifinals and an appearance in the 2016 finals.
Coach Woodard was just the fifth coach in Nebraska high school history to reach 600 wins. After leading Omaha Roncalli to a State Title in 1996, he moved to Bellevue West and put together six state championship seasons and five runner-up finishes. Woodard won multiple Coach of the Year awards, finished with a 693-256 record, and was inducted into the Nebraska Coaches Hall of Fame in 2021.
Finally, Coach Kruger had an illustrious career spanning over 40 years, concluding with 10 seasons at Oklahoma from 2011-2021. There, he coached future NBA stars Trae Young, Buddy Hield, and Austin Reaves. Prior to coaching the Sooners, Kruger served as the head coach at University of Texas-Pan American, Kansas State, Florida, Illinois, UNLV, and even the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. He finished his collegiate career with 674 wins and two Final Four appearances, including one with Oklahoma. Coach Kruger was recognized for his brilliant career by his 2022 induction in the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
Following the clinic, there will be a free coaches social at the Legends Patio Bar and Grill. All participants will also receive a complimentary ticket to the Omaha Hockey game vs. Niagara at 7 p.m. on October 14.
Registration for the clinic opens on September 14.
