Head Coach Jim Russell, who is also the CLC Athletic Director, has never had a losing season in 15 years here. He is the winningest men’s basketball coach in school history. The 2011-12 Raiders finished fourth in the national Division III tournament and amassed a 29-4 record while capturing the state and regional championships. The season produced CLC’s first men’s basketball first-team All-American in Maurice Hernandez.
Jim Russell trademarks are defense and teamwork. Those qualities launched the Raiders into the 2008 NJCAA championship tournament and bestowed Regional Coach of the Year honors on the CLC mentor.
The veteran coach, who has always called himself a “student of the game,” has compiled a record of 295 wins, 120 losses. Last year’s team climbed the national rankings to sit at the top five weeks. CLC was No. 2 prior to the national tournament after winning the MCAC regular-season Southern Division campaign and earning a berth for the Elite Eight. Coach Russell has taken his teams to the State Tournament 14 times in 15 years. Four times – including his first at CLC – he has been named MCAC Coach of the Year.
Coach Russell earned his master’s in Athletic Administration from St. Cloud State University and holds bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Recreation from Tabor College, Hillsboro, Kans.
About Raider Mens' Basketball
CLC hasn’t had a losing season in 14 years under Head Coach Jim Russell, who has led the Raiders to the state tournament 13 times. CLC has made it to the region title game three times in the past six seasons. In 2008 the Raiders won state and regional championships to earn a trip to the national tournament in New York. Last season the team was ranked among the top 10 most of the way and at one time had a 23-game win streak. CLC was re-assigned from the Northern to Southern Division to relish strong competition against perennial powers. Top recruits and transfers come together to fit a brand of basketball focused on defense and teamwork.
Coaching Staff: Head Coach - Jim Russell
Assistants:
Ben Seevers
John Pecarich
Scott Savor
Mamfe Osafo
basketball first-team All-American in Maurice Hernandez.