NJCAA inducts three into basketball Hall of Fame
Todd Franklin, Jay Herkelman, Pete Mickeal inducted into 2018 class
Colorado Springs, Colo. – The NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association announced its 2018 Hall of Fame inductees on Friday. A pair of current coaches along with a former standout on the court have been enshrined into the 2018 class.
Former Indian Hills (IA) star Pete Mickeal was a two-time national champion for the Warriors in 1997 and 1998. Current Vincennes (IN) head coach Todd Franklin joins fellow DI counterpart Jay Herkelman of Coffeyville (KS) in this year's class.
Pete Mickeal
Indian Hills Community College (IA)
In an era of dominance for Indian Hills, Mickeal proved to be at the forefront of the Warriors' success. An all-region selection as a freshman, Mickeal upped his performance during his second season that culminated in the National Player of the Year award along with the National Tournament Most Valuable Player honor, the team's second consecutive national championship. During his tenure in Ottumwa, IA, Mickeal and the Warriors lost just one game and capped his career with a perfect 38-0 record.
A native of Rock Island, IL, Mickeal transferred to the University of Cincinnati where he earned first-team all-conference honors and honorable mention All-America accolades as a senior for the Bearcats. After a stellar collegiate career, Mickeal was selected by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2000 NBA draft. The NJCAA standout also spent time with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, and Orlando Magic. Mickeal's career spanned the globe with professional stops in Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Following his playing days, Mickeal served as a scout for the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves.
Mickeal currently resides in Miami, FL.
Todd Franklin
Vincennes University (IN)
Entering his 21st season as a head coach at the collegiate level, Todd Franklin has been inducted into the 2018 NJCAA Hall of Fame as a member of the Trailblazers. The 2017-18 season marks the eighth at the helm of Vincennes, a span that includes five consecutive trips to the national tournament, only the second program in the history of the NJCAA to reach that feat.
Prior to the start of this season, Franklin has amassed 533 wins with a .800 winning percentage including a record of 204-36 at Vincennes. The Trailblazers reached the Elite 8 of the 2017 NJCAA tournament after winning the regular and postseason District 16 titles. During his time at Vincennes, over 100 student-athletes have received full scholarship offers to the four-year level. Franklin's coaching presence is in full swing in the 2017-18 season as Vincennes has jumped out to a 17-0 start and a current No. 2 national ranking in the DI poll.
Franklin's basketball coaching tenure includes stops at Southeastern Illinois, Missouri-Rolla, and Austin Peay. A former basketball player at Union College and Brescia College, Franklin holds a master's degree in physical education from Austin Peay and a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in athletic coaching from Western Kentucky.
Franklin and his wife Stephanie have two daughters- Madison and Mary.
Jay Herkelman
Coffeyville Community College (KS)
With over two decades of unprecedented success, Jay Herkelman has been inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame. With a career winning percentage of .765, Herkelman has totaled 586 wins in his career to make him the all-time winningest coach in the Jayhawk Conference. Over the past 15 seasons, the Red Ravens have captured 12 Jayhawk East titles and have been ranked in every national poll in the 2017-18 season.
Herkelman's career has been displayed in the national spotlight on a consistent basis. His teams have reached the NJCAA national tournament eight times along with seven Region VI titles. For his efforts, Herkelman has been named the Region VI Coach of the Year five times, the Jayhawk East Coach of the Year 13 times, and the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association of the Year five times. 52 players have moved on to four-year programs under Herkelman's tutelage.
A native of Clinton, IA, Herkelman's collegiate playing career began at the NJCAA level where he was a two-year starter at Southeastern (IA) before moving on to the University of Dubuque. Herkelman's coaching career includes impressive stops at Dubuque, Fort Hays State, Eastern New Mexico University, and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Herkelman and his wife Leslie have three daughters- Abbie, Emma, and Halle.
