Frostburg State Basketball: A History of Success

Frostburg State University has a long and proud history of success in basketball. The team has won numerous conference championships and made several appearances in the NCAA Division II tournament.

Introduction

Since the inaugural season in 1913, Frostburg State University Bobcats basketball has been a staple of the campus and community. The team has seen its share of success over the years, including a Division III National Championship in 1977 and multiple conference titles.

The Bobcats have produced several professional players and coaches and their games are always exciting and well-attended. Whether you’re a diehard fan or just looking to catch some local sports action, Frostburg State basketball is definitely worth checking out!

The Early Years

The Frostburg State basketball team got its start in 1908, just two years after the school first opened its doors. The team was made up of students from the School of Mines and Metallurgy, which was the only school on campus at the time. The team played its first game against Allegany High School winning by a score of 22-20.

The team didn’t have much success in its early years, but things began to turn around in the 1920s. The team won its first conference championship in 1921 and followed that up with another title in 1922. The 1922 team also had the distinction of being the first Frostburg State team to appear in the NCAA tournament The Bobcats lost their first NCAA Tournament game to St. John’s, but they bounced back with a victory over Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College).

Frostburg State experienced a bit of a drought during the 1930s and 1940s, but the program began to regain its footing in the 1950s. The 1950s were marked by several key achievements, including back-to-back conference championships in 1956 and 1957 and Frostburg State’s first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 1958.

The Middle Years

Between the late 1970s and early 1990s, the Frostburg State Basketball team experienced a period of sustained success, making multiple appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament and frequently finishing near the top of their conference. Under Head Coach Cy Kellogg, the team compiled a record of 217-127 over this span, including an impressive 21-5 mark in 1985-86.

During this period, the team was led by a number of talented players, including future NBA player Michael Anderson, who was named the conference Player of the Year in 1981-82. Anderson would go on to have a successful professional career, playing 11 seasons in the NBA and european leagues. Other standouts during this era included guard Tyrone Wilkerson and forward Ricky Fowler.

The team’s success culminated in a trip to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division III Tournament in 1992-93, where they eventually fell to eventual National Champion Rowan University. This remains the farthest any Frostburg State basketball team has advanced in the postseason.

The Late Years

Frostburg State University’s men’s Basketball team has seen a lot of success in recent years The team has won four conference championships in the last six years, and they made it to the NCAA Division III tournament four times in that span.

The late years have been good to Frostburg State, but the team’s history goes back much further. The program was started in 1910, and the team has won more than 1,200 games since then. Frostburg State has also produced some Great players over the years, including two-time All-American guard Keith Johnson.

The late years have been good to Frostburg State, but the team’s history goes back much further. The program was started in 1910, and

The Postseason

In order to qualify for the NCAA Division II postseason, a team must have an overall winning percentage of at least .500 and must also have a winning percentage of .500 or better against other Division II opponents. Furthermore, a team must have played at least ten games against Division II foes to be eligible.

The DII tournament consists of 64 teams: 32 teams earn an automatic berth by winning their conference tournament while the remaining 32 are selected through an at-large process. The selection process takes into account both a team’s overall record as well as its record against other Division II opponents, with greater weight given to the latter.

Frostburg State has qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament nine times in its history, most recently in 2017. The Bobcats have compiled a record of 10-9 in those nine appearances. Their best finish came in 2002, when they advanced to the Elite Eight.

The Program Today

Frostburg State University’s men’s Basketball Program has a long tradition of success. The program has produced two NCAA Division III National Players of the Year, nine All-Americans, and has reached the Division III National Tournament 16 times. The Bobcats have also won 11 conference championships and have made 11 appearances in the NCAA Division III National Tournament under head coach Webb Hatch. The team has a overall record of 572-275 (.675) since Frostburg State joined the NCAA in 1957.

The Bobcats have been especially successful over the last 20 years, winning 80% of their games since 1999. In that time, Frostburg State has won 10 conference championships and made nine trips to the NCAA tournament The team has also had great success in the classroom, posting a 100% graduation rate for players who have completed their eligibility.

The Future

With a strong foundation already in place, the Frostburg State Basketball Program is poised for continued success in the years to come. The team has a rich history of success on the court, and that tradition is sure to continue as the program looks to add to its already impressive list of accomplishments.

Notable Players

Frostburg State has a long tradition of success on the hardwood, dating back to the program’s inception in 1910. The Bobcats have won over 1,200 games in their storied history, and have produced a number of notable players along the way.

Frank “Porky” Vieira was one of the first great players in Frostburg State history. He led the Bobcats to their first-ever Conference Championship in 1923, and was a two-time All-Conference selection.

Joe “Flash” Flanagan is one of the most decorated players in school history. He was a three-time All-American and led Frostburg State to back-to-back NCAA Division III National Championships in 1977 and 1978. Flanagan’s jersey is retired by the school, and he was inducted into the Frostburg State Hall of Fame in 1988.

Matt Hildebrand is another player who left his mark on the Frostburg State record books. He racked up 2,972 career points, which is still good for second all-time in school history. Hildebrand was a three-time All-Conference selection and was named Conference Player of the Year as a senior in 1996.

Notable Coaches

Basketball at Frostburg State University has been around for over 100 years, and in that time, the program has seen a lot of success. One of the biggest reasons for that success has been the coaching. Over the years, there have been a number of coaches who have helped to put Frostburg State Basketball on the map. Here are some of the most notable:

– Coach Jack Butler was at the helm of the program for 25 years, from 1967 to 1992. During that time, he compiled a record of 496-154, making him the winningest coach in school history. He also led the team to four NCAA Division III tournaments and seven conference championships.

– Coach Manny Matsakis had a brief but successful tenure at Frostburg State, leading the team to a 52-27 record over three seasons from 1999 to 2001. He guided the team to its first-ever NCAA Division II tournament appearance in 2001 before moving on to bigger things.

– Current Head Coach Rodney Elliot has been with the program since 2008 and has continued its tradition of success. Under his watch, the team has won three conference championships and made four NCAA tournament appearances.

Conclusion

Frostburg State University’s men’s basketball team has been one of the most successful programs in Division III basketball over the last several years. The Bobcats have appeared in the NCAA Division III Tournament nine times since 2000, including a run to the Elite Eight in 2004. Frostburg State has also won four straight conference championships, something that no other Division III school can claim.

The success of the Frostburg State Basketball Program is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players, coaches, and staff. It is also a credit to the support of the campus community and local fans. The Bobcats have been a source of pride for both Frostburg State University and the city of Frostburg, and they will continue to be one of the top Division III programs in the country for years to come.