[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E388]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF COACH STEVE JENKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2021

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the historic career of 
Evangel University's longtime Men's Basketball coach Steve Jenkins.
  After graduating summa cum laude as a student athlete from Evangel in 
1974, Coach Jenkins returned to the school in 1977 as an assistant 
basketball coach. From 1978 to 1983, he served as head coach for the 
University's baseball team, earning a record of 132-97-3. He also 
served as head coach of the golf team from 1998 to 2016, bringing the 
program its first conference championship, and winning Heart Coach of 
the Year in 2010 and 2012. His role as head coach of the basketball 
team has been his longest, taking over in 1982 and serving in that 
position ever since. During his tenure, Coach Jenkins has posted a 
record of 692-542 (.561) and has won 7 Heart of America Conference 
Championships, while competing in the NAIA Tournament 13 times. His 
team won the National Title in 2002, with a record of 35-l. He has been 
named Heart Conference Coach of the Year 7 times and won NAIA Coach of 
the Year in 2002.
  Coach Jenkins record goes beyond wins and losses. A total of 24 of 
his former players have been named first-team All-Heart Conference, 
with 6 earning the league's Player of the Year award, along with 2 
Freshman of the Year nominees, 4 Newcomer of the Year winners, and one 
Defensive Player of the Year Recipient. He has also coached 33 NAIA 
All-American players. As coach of the baseball team, 5 players won All-
District honors, including the first NAIA All-American and Academic 
All-American in program history. More than 30 of his former players and 
staff members have gone on to hold coaching positions across the 
nation. This is a testament to the true teacher and mentor that Coach 
Jenkins is.
  In 2014, Coach Jenkins was inducted to the NAIA Hall of Fame, the 
second inductee from Evangel. This followed his induction to the 
Evangel Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006, the Millwood Golf and Racquet 
Club Hall of Fame and Springfield Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2011, and 
the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2013. In 
2016, he was inducted to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
  Madam Speaker, Coach Jenkins has proven his incredible leadership and 
coaching skills, and I wish him and his family a happy retirement.

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