Gill named Chamber's Sportsman of the Year

McLennan's men's basketball head coach Kevin Gill was honored with The Frank Fallon Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Sportsman of the Year award at today's Tip Off Luncheon. The award, named after legendary sports broadcaster Frank Fallon, recognizes individuals "for dedicated service and positive relationships with players, fans, coaches, and officials for the betterment of athletics in Central Texas."
 
Gill began coaching at Lake Air Middle School in 1993 and his coaching career includes stints at Hubbard and La Vega High Schools before taking over the men's program at McLennan in 2002. While at Hubbard, he led the Jaguars to the state playoffs for the first time in 10 years, and he led the Pirates of La Vega to a state championship in 2000. As a head coach at the high school and college level, Gill boasts an overall record of 592-146.

Gill has led the McLennan Highlanders to eight North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference titles (outright championships in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018, and a co-championship in 2007) and have secured a regional tournament berth every year, including seven trips to the semifinal round. In 2016, the Highlanders stepped it up, securing an at-large bid to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. This marked the program's first trip to the tournament since 1998, but that wasn't enough for Gill and the Highlander squad. MCC defeated Marion Military Institute in the opening round, marking the program's first national tournament victory. Under Gill's watch, the Highlanders are 425-113, for a 79-percent winning percentage. Gill received conference Coach of the Year honors in 2006, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2017, and 2018, and Co-Coach of the Year honors in 2007. He has seen 74 players named all-conference, four players earn NJCAA All-America n honors, three NJCAA Academic Student-Athlete honorees, and Aundre Jackson named to the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team in 2016. In 2014, Gill was named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Junior College Coach of the Year, after leading the Highlanders to a 28-3 record.

Gill and the Highlanders will tip off the 2019-20 season Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., hosting the Fort Hood Phantom Warriors.