Nellis Hall court named in honor
of Jay Herkelman

The Nellis Hall court now has a name - the Jay Herkelman Court.  The court was formally named after current men's basketball head coach Jay Herkelman. at a dedication ceremony on January 26.

The idea was originated by two Coffeyville basketball boosters, Max Williams and Monte Coffman.  Last fall, both men approached the CCC Board of Trustees who agreed it was time to recognize the achievements of Jay Herkelman in prestigious fashion.

Herkelman's accomplishments in his tenure at CCC border on the ridiculous.  Entering the 2007-2008 season, Herkelman has amassed a 324-91 record, a winning percentage of .781.  He has led the Ravens to seven consecutive Jayhawk East Conference championships and has guided the Ravens to five region championships in the past six seasons. 

In five trips to the NJCAA National Tournament, the Ravens have placed in the top eight all five times.  The Ravens were nation runner-ups in 2002, losing the national title game by one point.  The 2007 team finished third at nationals.

Herkelman took over the Ravens' program in 1995 after a season in which the Ravens finished 3-26.  Two of those three wins were by forfeit.  Herkelman's first team went 26-7 in one of the greatest turn-around stories in the history of the Jayhawk Conference.  Herkelman's teams have missed 20 wins in a season just once, 1999-2000 team that finished 19-12.

He has had 48 players in his career at Coffeyville Community College move on to four-year colleges and universities. One notable athlete under Herkelman’s leadership was Reggie Evans, a starter for the Ravens in 1999 and 2000. Evans is currently in the NBA with the Philadelphia 76’ers and he finished fourth in the league in offensive rebounding in 2002-2003.  Another former player, Ryan Martin, is currently a member of Herkelman's coaching staff.

The success has extended beyond the court.  In his tenure at Coffeyville, all but a couple of players who completed two seasons with Herkelman failed to graduate.

Master of ceremonies at the dedication, Monte Coffman, informed the crowd in attendance that CCC is currently in the golden age of Raven basketball history.  The duration of this golden age is unknown, but it will probably last as long as Herkelman remains on the Red Raven sideline.

Dr. Don Woodburn, CCC President, gives Jay Herkelman a plaque during the court dedication ceremony in honor of Jay Herkelman on January 26, 2008.  To the left of Jay is Leslie Herkelman, longtime assistant coach and wife of Jay.

Fans in attendance give Jay Herkelman a standing ovation during the conclusion of the court dedication ceremony.