April 8, 2019
THE 2019 AWARD
MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Jeff Rutter the coach at Arizona Christian, is the 2018-19 recipient of the Don Meyer Award, which is presented annually to the top NAIA basketball coach, in honor of one of the sport's winningest coaches.
Rutter, in his seventh season at the helm, led the Cardinals to a 25-9 record and the quarterfinals of the NAIA national tournament this season. Arizona Christian averaged 92.6 points per game.
In 38 seasons at Hamline, Lipscomb and Northern State, the legendary Meyer compiled an astounding 923-324 record. He led Lipscomb to the NAIA national championship in 1986, and coached the two highest-scoring players in the history of college basketball, John Pierce and Philip Hutcheson. Also, his 1989-90 team at Lipscomb won a record 41 games and was the highest scoring team in college history.
In 2010, he received the John Bunn Award at the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Meyer retired from coaching in February 2010. Coach Meyer lost his long battle with cancer on May 18, 2014, at the age of 69.
2023: Ted Albert, Indiana Tech
2022: Stacy Hollowell, Loyola New Orleans
2021: Delano Thomas, Shawnee State
2020: Jim Sykes, Morningside College
2019: Jeff Rutter, Arizona Christian
2018: Craig Doty, Graceland University
2017: Tony Ingle, Dalton State
2016: Delton Deal, York College
2015: Larry Cordaro, LSU-Alexandria
2014: Jason Shelton, Freed-Hardeman
2013: Brandon Rinta, Lewis-Clark State
2012: Paul Peck, Lindsey Wilson College
2011: Andy Sharpe, Martin Methodist