June 24, 2014
Atlanta Tipoff Club – Bobby Cremins, the winningest head coach in Georgia Tech men’s basketball history, was selected as the 2014 Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s College Basketball award winner, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Tuesday.
First given in 1982 to Curt Gowdy, the Naismith Outstanding Contributor to Men’s Basketball Award is presented annually to individuals whose extraordinary efforts have made contributions of outstanding significance and have created a long-lasting positive impact on the game of basketball. The recipients display character, integrity and dignity, and have contributed mightily to the growth, success and viability of basketball. To be eligible, an individual must have been involved with the sport in a capacity related to coaching, broadcasting, college administration or the news media.
Selected by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Board of Directors, Cremins will be recognized at the Naismith Awards Invitational celebrity golf tournament Sept. 14-15 in Atlanta. “I am honored to receive this prestigious award. Having lived and coached in Atlanta for 19 years I am very familiar with the Naismith Awards and the Atlanta Tipoff Club,” said Cremins. “I know a lot of the previous winners personally and to be associated with them is a lifetime accomplishment. I thank the selection committee and look forward to continuing to help the game of college basketball in any way I can.”
“For four decades, Bobby Cremins has been a fixture in basketball, and he has left an indelible impression on the sport,” said Eric Oberman, Atlanta Tipoff Club Executive Director. “His contributions to basketball go far beyond the court. He’s positively affected the lives of his players and coaches and has been a friend, mentor, visionary and leader in basketball. Our organization is proud to recognize his achievements.”
Cremins received his first head coaching job with Appalachian State at the age of 27, and instantly became one of the youngest head coaches in NCAA history. He led Mountaineers for six seasons, compiling a 100-70 record and earning one NCAA Tournament appearance.
In 1981, Cremins took the reins of the men’s basketball program at Georgia Tech and achieved a great amount of success. While at Tech, Cremins garnered three ACC Coach of the Year Awards, and in 1990 he led the Yellow Jackets to the Final Four. That same season, Cremins was awarded the Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year. In 2000, after coaching at Georgia Tech for 19 seasons, Cremins announced his retirement. He ended his time with Tech with a record of 354-237. He was the recipient of the 2004 Outstanding Contributor to Georgia Basketball Award, presented by the Atlanta Tipoff Club.
In 2006, Cremins came out of retirement to coach the men’s basketball team at the College of Charleston. During his time with the Cougars he compiled a 125-68 record and a Southern Conference regular-season championship during the 2010-2011 season. In March 2012, Cremins ended his coaching career with a lifetime record of 579-375.
In addition to working as a head coach, Cremins also worked as an assistant coach for several United States National Teams. In 1986, he won gold medals in the American World University Games and at the FIBA World Championship. During the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, where the U.S. Basketball Team won the gold medal, Cremins worked as an assistant coach to Lenny Wilkens.
Today, he remains close to the game as a broadcaster for Raycom, and he hosts a radio show on Sirius XM.
For more information, visit www.naismithawards.com.
