Dec. 18, 2008

Story courtesy of Bethel Sports Information Office

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – Bethel College men’s basketball coach Jeff Britt achieved a milestone most coaches never get to reach with career win 250.  The mark was accomplished with the Bethel Wildcats’ 79-68 victory over St. Catharine College (Ky.).  The irony to the win is that Coach Britt’s first head coaching position was at St. Catharine.

“It really means a great deal to me,” said Coach Britt. “This is a dream to coach on the college level and I am very fortunate to be able to achieve this in my career.  It also says that I have been around the game for a while, this is my 20th year in college basketball and I have been blessed to have coached so many great players.”

Britt got his first head coaching position with the Patriots of Saint Catharine Junior College where he was at the helm for five years beginning in 1995.  At Saint Catharine he posted a 108-43 record.

Entering his ninth season, Britt has posted a 139-123 record while at Bethel.  When asked if any of his 250 wins stood out, he answered, “There are some wins that have stood out over the years, nut none more than others.  Each game has a different story line, over the years the players, coaches and officials are different but the competitiveness of each game and each season remains the same.  Basketball to me is a true team sport, everyone must work together.”

In his 20 years of coaching on the collegiate level either as a student assistant, assistant or head coach, he has seen three former players and two former assistants obtain head coaching positions.  He has also served in athletic administration, first as Athletic Director at Saint Catharine College, second as Athletic Director at Bethel and is currently the Associate Athletic Director at Bethel.

Reflecting on his accomplishment Britt said, “It means I have had the good luck to remain around this great game of basketball for a long time and hopefully be able to stay around.  The accomplishment is a great tribute to all the great players and coaches who I have been able to work with.  I would also like to say that I am very glad that I was able to accomplish this win at Bethel College.  I give thanks to former Saint Catharine coach Stan Hardin and former Saint Catharine President Governor Martha Layne Collins for giving me my first head coaching opportunity.  I want to also give thanks to former Athletic Director Dr. Jerry Wilcoxson and President Dr. Robert Prosser who gave me the same opportunity here at Bethel nine years ago.”