I can still recall taking a glance just to my right while broadcasting Dave Wilbers’ first game as Arkansas Tech University head women’s basketball coach in November 2007.
We were at Jack Dobbins Fieldhouse in Tahlequah, Okla., and I remember thinking two things: he looks a bit like a deer in the headlights, but he’s going to be alright.
The Golden Suns went 0-2 that weekend, but Wilbers was indeed a quick study. The Suns bounced back to win their next 16 games, and they have continued winning throughout his 19 years at Arkansas Tech.
It has added up to 381 victories, nine NCAA Division II Tournament berths, seven regular season conference titles, five conference tournament championships and two NCAA Division II region titles (so far).
Among every person who has ever coached basketball at Arkansas Tech — men’s or women’s — Wilbers ranks No. 2 in all-time wins behind only Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame member Joe Foley.
Wilbers will end his career tied with another Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame member — Sam Hindsman — for most seasons as a head basketball coach at Arkansas Tech.
We will celebrate Wilbers and his achievements on Thursday, Feb. 26, during and after his final home game before his upcoming retirement. Tip-off is 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Tucker Coliseum. There will be a special recognition of Wilbers following the women’s game. Tickets are available at www.arkansastechsports.com/tickets.
The Golden Suns (18-6 overall, 14-6 Great American Conference) remain in contention for a top-2 seed in the GAC Tournament and an NCAA Division II Tournament berth. ATU will close out the regular season at Southern Arkansas University on Saturday, Feb. 28, beginning at 1 p.m. The GAC Tournament will follow March 5-8 at Northside Arena in Fort Smith.
As for Coach Wilbers, I will always remember and be grateful for the wins and the championships. They have continued the great tradition of Golden Suns basketball and brought honor to Arkansas Tech.
But the part I am most grateful for is the way Dave has provided his players with a framework to be successful in basketball and, more importantly, after basketball. Don’t stay too high or too low for too long. Go back to work the next day. Keep improving. Never quit.
Those are the hallmarks of the Wilbers era of Golden Suns basketball.
If you have green and gold in your veins and are able, I hope you will join us on Thursday night. Coach deserves it. This team deserves it and could use a lift after a tough road trip to Oklahoma.
Live coverage of Arkansas Tech basketball on Thursday night and Saturday afternoon will be provided by KCJC 102.3 FM, the River Country KCJC website and www.arkansastechsports.com.
Talk to you on the radio.
Tech Tidbits is a column written by Sam Strasner, ATU director of university relations and radio play-by-play voice for ATU football and basketball.
