Kaiser Inducted into Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020
LifeU / 05.16.20
KANSAS CITY, Mo. ---- Former Life University head men's basketball coach Roger Kaiser was inducted into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame in the Class of 2020 for his contributions.
This year, Kaiser was inducted into the inaugural Hall of Fame class at Life University as well. Kaiser was the men's basketball coach at Life U from 1991-2000. During his tenure, he developed the basketball program to a household name within the NAIA. He claimed three national championships in 1997, 1999 and 2000, as well as runner ups in 1994. Kaiser led the Running Eagles to the NAIA National Tournament for eight consecutive years from 1993-2000. He was named the NAIA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2000 and was inducted into the NAIA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.
Small College Basketball Founder John McCarthy had this to say about the National Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
"What an extraordinary group of inductees in the Class of 2020! Once again, our committee did a tremendous job of selecting a highly impressive and accomplished group of inductees. I have spoken to all of the inductees, and there is a tremendous amount of excitement and enthusiasm surrounding the Class of 2020. While each inductee is considered a legend or icon at their respective school, you wouldn't know it by talking with them. As a group, they are humble, grateful and high quality people. I'm proud to welcome them into the Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame."
The 2020 National Hall of Fame Class was selected by the distinguished Hall of Fame Committee including: Steve Knight, Don Landry, Mike Lightfoot, Danny Miles, Greg Moore, Jim Nelson, Doug Palm, Roy Pickerill, Gary Pine, Jim Poteet, Butch Raymond, John Rinka, Gary Stewart and Rick Zvosec.
The SCB wrote the following bio for coach Kaiser, "Roger Kaiser coached West Georgia for 20 years, winning the NAIA National Championship in 1974. In 1990, he started the basketball program at Life University and won the NAIA National Championships in 1997, 1999, and 2000, and led Life to two additional appearances in the National Championship game. Kaiser was the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1997 and 2000, and was selected to the NAIA's 75th Anniversary Team, one of only 15 coaches. He is a member of the West Georgia Hall of Fame, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame and the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame."
The full list of the SCB Hall of Fame Class can be found below:
Players
Eric Brand, Bethel (IN)
Corey Crowder, Kentucky Wesleyan
Kenny Davis, Georgetown College
Andre Foreman, Salisbury
Stan Gouard, Southern Indiana
Andy Panko, Lebanon Valley
Archie Talley, Salem College (WV)
Dallas Thornton, Kentucky Wesleyan
Larry Wilson, Nicholls State
Coaches
Roger Kaiser, West Georgia & Life
Mike Lightfoot, Bethel (IN)
The full release from the SCB can be found here:
Small College Basketball National Hall of Fame 2020 Class Announced
