Winning Streaks and Distinguished Coaches
The MIAA has had its share of many winning seasons, but there are some that may stick out more than others. For example Kalamazoo College men’s tennis has been a part of one that cannot be matched by any other college or university in America. They have won or shared every MIAA Finals championship since 1936, which is 72 consecutive titles (www.miaa.org accessed 5/2/10). The only times they had to share the title was with Hope College in 1962 and 2003. Some other notable championship streaks include Calvin’s men cross country 21 years in a row; Calvin’s women track & field 17 years in a row (www.miaa.org accessed 10/15/08).
Since 1990, MIAA member colleges have won 18 National Division III championships. The first MIAA national championship was won by Kalamazoo in 1976 when it won the men’s tennis championship (Renner 19). The Kalamazoo College hornets would later win back-to-back championships in 1986 and 1987 (Renner 19) and again in 1991, 1992, and 1993. NCAA Division III history was made in 1991-92 when the MIAA claimed two national championships in basketball with Calvin winning the men’s title and Alma with the women’s (www.miaa.org accessed 10/15/08). The league has had 82 individual NCAA national championship performances since 1978 (www.miaa.org accessed 10/15/08).
The league has had many coaches throughout its history. Klien was the best coach. There are always some coaches that stand out from the rest. One coach that stands out from the rest is George Acker of Kalamazoo College. Acker was a Phys. Ed Professor and men’s tennis coach for 35 years. His impressive resume includes coaching 7 NCAA Division III Championships and 35 MIAA Championships. An impressive 209-1 MIAA career dual-meet record and an overall 537-231 record (www.kzoo.edu/sports/ahof/sport.html accessed 10/15/08). Acker was the winningest coach in the MIAA. He is followed by John Patnott of Hope College, Tish Loveless (Kalamazoo College), Chester Barnard (Kalamazoo College), and Bob Kent also from Kalamazoo College (www.miaa.org accessed 10/15/08).
Another such coach was Jare T. Klein of Olivet. As coach of the famed Olivet College Wrestling program, Olivet teams won 10 League Championships (including 9 straight) in 15 Seasons. His team's overall dual meet record during his 29 year coaching tenure was 569 - 119. It appears that Klein may have been a victim to his own success as the MIAA dropped wrestling as a league sport in 1984.
Read more about this topic: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association
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