Don Meyer, a former college basketball coach who has impacted countless athletes both on and off the court, was presented with the 2012 John Lotz “Barnabas” Award by the FCA. The award presentation was made during the FCA Coaches Luncheon at the NCAA Men’s Final Four in New Orleans.
Meyer retired from coaching in February 2010 as the winningest NCAA men’s basketball coach at any division with 922 accumulated career victories in 38 seasons. His coaching career has placed him at Hamline University in Minnesota, with Lipscomb University in Tennessee and at Northern State University in South Dakota.
Following a serious car accident and an inoperable cancer diagnosis, he has received national recognition in various national media outlets such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN, FOX Sports, National Public Radio and the Associated Press. He is also the winner of the Jimmy V. Perseverance award at the ESPN ESPY’s. And he continues to work with NSU in the role of Regents Distinguished Professor and Assistant to the President.
Meyer is the tenth winner of the annual award, which is named after former North Carolina Assistant and University of Florida Head Coach John Lotz. It is presented annually by FCA to honor a basketball coach who best exhibits a commitment to Christ, integrity, encouragement to others and lives a balanced life.
Since its launch by FCA in 2003, the award has honored a stellar lineup of coaches who have made an impact both on and off the basketball court: Homer Drew (2003), John Wooden (2004), Dale Clayton (2005), Steve Alford (2006), Dale Layer (2007), Willis Wilson (2008), Ritchie McKay (2009), Gary Waters (2010) and Billy Kennedy (2011).
Release provided by the FCA