COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – North Lake (TX) head coach Tim McGraw was named 2017 Spalding® NJCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year Monday by the association’s DIII men’s basketball committee. The recognition marks the third time in McGraw’s career he has received the honor (2006, 2008, 2017).
McGraw led North Lake to its third national championship in 2017 after facing one of the toughest schedules in the DIII ranks. The Blazers played 11 games against NJCAA DI and DII opponents – the most of any team that advanced to the national tournament. Awarded the No. 5 seed, the Blazers to upset the No. 4, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in Rochester (MN) to take home this year’s national title with a 22-11 overall record.
McGraw has piloted the North Lake men’s basketball program for 20 years and has led the Blazers to the DIII national tournament five times, winning three national titles and fourth place on two occasions.
Prior to North Lake, McGraw was the head coach at Southern Baptist (AR) from 1985-89.
Photos by Greg Mittelsteadt
About Spalding®
Since the 2013-14 season, Spalding has sponsored the NJCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Coach and Player of the Year awards. Spalding is the largest basketball equipment supplier in the world, and America's first baseball company. Spalding is the official basketball of the National Basketball Association (NBA), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) as well as the official backboard of the NBA and NCAA, the official baseball of the NJCAA and Little League World Series® and the official volleyball of the King of the Beach® Volleyball Tour. In addition to being the leading producer and marketer of basketballs, baseballs, footballs, volleyballs and soccer balls, Spalding produces softballs under the Dudley® brand. The SPALDING® and DUDLEY® trademarks are owned by Russell Brands, LLC. For more information, visit www.spalding.com.