Campbellsville’s 2007-08 men’s basketball team became the second team all-time inducted into the Campbellsville University Athletics Hall of Fame, and the University inducted the team into its Hall of Fame last week at its final home football of the regular season.
The 2007-08 Tigers were the first-ever basketball team in Campbellsville history to reach the NAIA Fab Four after finishing the season with a 26-10 record. At the time, the 26 wins from the squad was the fourth-most in program history.
"What an incredible weekend! It was great to see everyone that was able to attend,” said former coach Keith Adkins. “It had been so long since I had seen some of them, so it was great to catch up and see how they have moved on in their lives. They all seem to be doing great, as I expected they would. It was just a tremendous group that I knew would be successful, as they moved on past college.
“I also want to thank Campbellsville University, especially Dr. Michael Carter, Rusty Hollingsworth and Benji Kelly, for recognizing this team for it's incredible run in the 2008 national tournament. It was truly one of the most memorable seasons I have had.”
During the 2007-08 season, the Tigers boasted one of the best defenses in the nation. They only allowed the opposition to average 64 points per game, which was fifth-best in Division I of the NAIA. In 36 games during the season, Campbellsville only allowed 70 points of more 10 times and only allowed their opponents to to the 80-point benchmark three times.
While playing in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri, the Tigers went in as an unseeded and unranked at-large team. With a very tough first round opponent in Concordia University-Irvine, who was the defending national runner-up, the Tigers were a huge underdog. With big performances from Nestor Colmenares and Bubba Long and an incredible team defensive effort, the Tigers advanced with one of the biggest upsets in program history, winning 72-63. After second and third round victories against McKendree University and Oklahoma Baptist University, respectively, the Tigers fell in the Fab Four to the eventual national champion, Oklahoma City, by a score of 78-64.
Members of the team included: Head Coach Keith Adkins; Assistant Coaches Bryan Milburn, Mark Alderson and Justin Watson; Athletic Trainer Derek Port; Manager Mark Hayden; Student-Athletes Zach Allender, Jordan Benock, Nestor Colmenares, Clint Graham, Troy Harris, Deveon Jenkins, Clinton Joshua, Bubba Long, Kyle Martin, Marcus Nicks, Hristo Petkov, Shawn Savage and Adrian Whelan, along with President Michael V. Carter, Director of Athletics Rusty Hollingsworth and Sports Information Director Bryan Blair.
Each member of the 2007-08 Campbellsville men’s basketball team was awarded with individual Hall of Fame plaques. Dr. Michael V. Carter and Rusty Hollingsworth also presented the team with a plaque that will enshrine the team in the Campbellsville Athletics Hall of Fame inside the Powell Athletic Center.
