Forester Success Formula
Huntington Beats the Odds as Well as the Opposition  BUILDING A TRADITION
After 13 seasons, Head Coach Steve Platt has led the Foresters to a 307-133 record, including 130-58 in the MCC Conference, winning five MCC Conference Titles, five MCC Tournament Championships, and making seven NAIA National Tournament appearances in eight years.
Last season, the Foresters won the MCC Title and Tournament Championship, were rated #1 in NAIA D2 (includes 150 schools, some with over 10,000 students) for four weeks, and ended the season rated #2 in the nation in the final NAIA D2 Coaches Poll.
OVERCOMING THE ODDS
Teams in the NAIA at both levels know the Foresters are giants on the hardwood, but they may not know HU has one of the smaller basketball programs in the NAIA.
While the majority of schools in the MCC fund 100% of the six scholarships allowed for basketball, Huntington University does not. The school provides 55% of that amount, just as they do for all their athletic programs, but that puts the basketball Foresters at a disadvantage.
In addition, Huntington doesn't operate a Junior Varsity program, which provides a deeper bench and player development for some NAIA schools (the scholarships awarded to JV players are not limited by the NAIA).
Also, players at HU are held to the highest standards
of personal conduct and academic results.
THE FORESTER SUCCESS FORUMLA
One wouldn’t normally expect a basketball program with half the funds and twice the standards to be successfully competing for National Championships, but three factors have pushed Huntington basketball to the top.
First, there’s a quality coaching staff that knows how to identify and recruit players with the right attitude, how to mold the changing mix of players into a successful team each year, and how to realize the full potential of each team by the end of the season.
Second, there are quality players who buy into the team concept, who earnestly seek a good education while embracing the school’s values. These are quality young men and solid students, not just basketball players.
Third, there are faithful fans that help the program gain more equal footing with other teams in the MCC and NAIA. Encouragement is part of it, but so is financial support that enables the program to level the playing
field with its competition. This is the Fan Factor.
|
|
FORESTER FAN FACTOR
In short, the fans step up and provide what the school doesn’t; namely, sufficient funds to operate the program effectively and provide three additional scholarships.
Like three legs on a stool, all three parts of the Forester Formula must be strong or the goals won’t be realized. In the case of the Fan Factor, that means support at games, participation in the annual fund-raisers, getting key corporate sponsorships, and lots of individual donations from fans like you and me.
ANNUAL GOLF OUTING - JULY 14
If you’re a golfer, join the drive for the Green. The 13th Annual Golf Outing is set for Saturday, July 14, so call Coach Steve Platt at 260-359-4217 or Coach Ty Platt
at 260-359-4292 for details and registration.
MEET-THE-TEAM DINNER - OCTOBER 23
For everyone, there’s the Meet-the-Team Dinner and Auction which has proven to be a huge favorite in the past three years. Steve Ness and Les Chafin are the primary organizers, enlisting the help of family, friends
and co-workers. Old-time Foresters Bill Lightner and Lowell Stouder also help out with the set up.
Each year the auction crew shows up in outrageous outfits. Steve Ness says, “I enjoy trying to come up with stuff most people wouldn’t do. I never let the other guys know what we’re going to be until a couple of weeks before – when it’s too late for them to back out.”
SUPPORT THE FORESTERS
While these have been successful fundraisers, more than twice the funds the events raise are needed each year to keep the program at a level comparable to most other MCC schools. The two events simply aren’t enough.
So, if you are an individual who values the tradition of true student-athletes, help the Foresters directly. Write
a check in any amount payable to Huntington University and designate it for Men’s Basketball (it’s likely tax deductible, but consult your own tax advisor).
To make sure your contribution gets designated for Men’s Basketball, send it directly to:
Coach Steve Platt
Huntington University
2303 College Avenue
Huntington, IN 46750
If you manage a company and would like to learn about corporate sponsorship, contact Head Coach Steve Platt at 260-359-4217. Different levels of sponsorship are available; find one that works for you.
- by Paul Harrington ('64)
|
