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Monday, January 05, 2009 9:41 AM

Braves coach Carrier reaches victory milestone

Ottawa University men’s basketball coach Andy Carrier joined a select group of Braves coaches with his 250th victory Saturday at Wilson Field House.

The 19-year Ottawa coach and legendary coach Bill Frear are the only Braves’ basketball coaches to reach that milestone.

Ottawa toppled Avila, 98-82, to put Carrier within 17 victories of passing Frear’s all-time mark of 267 victories.

“First of all, I feel very blessed and grateful to Ottawa University for the opportunity to coach here and to coach here this long,” Carrier said. “I don’t take that for granted. Second, I want to thank all the great assistant coaches and players I have had the privilege to work with over 19 years.

“The wins are nice but I am more proud of the program we’ve built and the traditions we have in terms of how well we do in the classroom, our graduation rate and how we represent our school. Finally, I want to say thanks to my wife and kids as well as my brother and mom.”

Ottawa Athletic Director Arabie Conner said Carrier’s milestone is one that did not come by accident.

“Coach Carrier’s 250th career victory is another indication of what an outstanding basketball coach and career he has had,” Conner said.

“What I believe Ottawa University and those who know him admire the most is the way the successes and accomplishments have come as a result of doing things the right way with character, integrity and humbleness always.

“This is a milestone when we all stop and pay tribute to a coach whose heart and soul are the very essence of what coaching should be all about.”

Carrier’s professional career has seen him serve in various positions at Ottawa.

He is the Dean of Student Affairs and an associate professor. He has taught in the physical education department and the liberal arts program.

He also served as athletics director for nine years and director of enrollment for three years.

In the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference, Carrier has been vice president and selected as the KCAC athletic administrator of the year three times (1995, 2000, 2005).

“Andy Carrier is a winner both on the court and off,” OU President Kevin Eichner said. “His record of wins is accentuated by his outstanding graduation rate and by the contributions of his players make in their lives after college. He is a model of modern day coaching. We celebrate and salute him. We are so fortunate Andy has chosen to make Ottawa University his home.”

Carrier, who is a Council Grove native, was an all-KCAC performer in basketball and golf for Bethany College.

In 1996, he was inducted into the Bethany College Athletic Hall of Fame. Carrier graduated with a business/economics degree from Bethany and earned a master’s degree in physical education and exercise science from Emporia state University.

Carrier guided the Braves to four NAIA Division II National Tournament appearances (2008, 2002, 1995, 1993). Last year’s squad recorded the second national tourney win in school history over King, Tenn.

He has also guided the Braves to KCAC regular season titles in 2008, 2002 an 1995 and the KCAC tournament championship in 1995 and 2002.

Carrier has been selected the NAIA District 10 coach of the year in 1993, the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the year in 1995 and the KCAC coach of the year in 1995, 2002 and 2008.

Carrier and his wife, Debbie, who coached at Johnson County Community College and William Jewell, have combined for nearly 500 wins. Deb totaled 239 wins in her coaching career.

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Braves coach Carrier reaches victory milestone

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.