Directing the camp will be the winningest collegiate basketball coach on any level in Minnesota, Saint John's University basketball coach Jim Smith. Smith begins his 44th season as a collegiate head coach with a 671-463 career record (.592) in 2007-08. Smith is the 38th coach in NCAA men's basketball history to win 600 career games.  Besides ranking first among college coaches in Minnesota, Smith is also second among active NCAA Division III coaches for most victories, second all-time in Division III basketball history and 28th all-time in all divisions of collegiate basketball.  

Smith has led his teams to seven MIAC titles, five MIAC playoff titles, nine trips to the NAIA tournament and eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs, including an appearance by the Johnnies in the 2000, 2001 and 2007 NCAA tournaments. Smith has won MIAC titles in each of the past five decades. Since 1964, SJU has enjoyed 29 winning seasons under Smith's direction.  

 

A three-time NAIA District Coach-of-the-Year, Smith is a past president of the NAIA Basketball Coaches. In 1992-93 and 2000-01, Smith was named the NCAA Division III West Region Coach-of-the-Year.  Smith also was named MIAC coach of the year in 2000-01, which is the sixth time in his career he has received that prestigious honor.

 

Also on the camp staff will be Bob Alpers.  Coach Alpers is a long-time Nike Camp Director, having helped coach and direct basketball camp for over 25 years. He is also head coach of the nationally ranked golf team and director of the University’s intramural program. Alpers is a 1982 graduate of Saint John’s and was chosen MVP of the 1981-82 Johnnies’ basketball squad. Last spring Alpers directed the Johnnie golf team to the 2007 NCAA National championship, and was named Division III national Coach of the Year.

 

Visit the SJU Athletics website here

 

 

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