Burson named OAC Men's Basketball Coach of the Year

Muskingum College Head Coach Dr. Jim Burson has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Men's Basketball Coach of the Year, as voted by his peers. This marks the sixth time in Burson's long and successful career that he has garnered this prestigious award. Burson previously was chosen OAC Coach of the Year in 1973, 1977, 1988, 1990 and 2000.

Burson, who announced at a press conference on February 28, will be taking a sabbatical during the 2005-06 season and retiring from Muskingum effective August 1, 2006. He will become the president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches at the NCAA Division I Final Four in April. He will be the first Ohio coach to hold the post of president since Ohio State University Head Coach Fred Taylor did so during the 1972-73 season.

Burson guided Muskingum this year to its most wins (17) since the 1991-92 season and a berth in the OAC Final Four. As a team, the Muskies led the OAC in scoring defense (65.4 ppg), free throw percentage (.753), rebounding defense (28.5 rpg), assists (16.70 apg) and assist/turnover ratio (1.24). Additionally, Muskingum posted an impressive 4-1 record against top 20 teams and swept OAC regular season match-ups against regular season champion John Carroll University and OAC Tournament champion Baldwin-Wallace College.

Burson ends his 38-year coaching career at the Muskies' all-time winningest basketball coach with a 542-416 overall record. His 542 victories rank in the top 10 all-time in Division III history and currently among the top 5 of active Division III coaches. Burson has coached seven All-Americans and 67 All-Conference players. He has led his squads to two OAC regular season titles (1973, 1974), three OAC Tournament championships (1977, 1988, 1990) and five NCAA Tournament bids (1977, 1981, 1983, 1988, 1990).