BEVO FRANCIS AWARD
The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations will be season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award will only be given to one player within Small College Basketball per season.
April 4, 2020 Finalists
Members of the Bevo Francis Award committee include the following coaches: Tobin Anderson - St. Thomas Aquinas (N.Y.), Gary Stewart - Stevenson (Md.), Arlen Galloway - Wentworth (Mass.), Chris Briggs - Georgetown (Ky.), Bill Dreikosen - Rocky Mountain (Mont.), Klint Pleasant - Rochester (Mich.), Ryan Kane - Ripon (Wisc.), Mark Berokoff – Hillsdale Baptist (Okla.), Mike Donnelly – Florida Southern, Rhett Soliday – Vanguard (Calif.), Sam Hargraves – Olivet (Mich.), Stacy Hollowell – Loyola (LA), Jon VanderWal – Marietta, Cleo Hill – Winston - Salem State and Stephen Brennan – Babson.
Kyle Mangas Named 2020 Bevo Francis Award Winner
Kansas City, MO – Small College Basketball and the National Awards Committee are excited to announce Kyle Mangas of Indiana Wesleyan University as the 2020 Bevo Francis Award Winner. Small College Basketball Founder John McCarthy had this to say about this year’s award winner.
"Congratulations to Indiana Wesleyan's Kyle Mangas for winning the 2020 Bevo Francis Award. It has been a true joy watch Kyle Mangas play, as it's like watching a clinic. His understanding of the game is just beautiful to watch. Kyle is consistently effective and efficient. If people want to learn how to play this game, watch Kyle Mangas.”
Mangas finished the 2019-20 season averaging 26.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, leading the Wildcats to a 29-4 record and a Crossroads League Championship. He scored in double figures in all 32 games for the Wildcats, including a season high 40 points against Madonna on December 17th. Mangas finished with at least 30 points in 12 games and at least 20 points in 26 games.
On February 29th, in a victory over Spring Arbor in the Crossroads League Tournament, Mangas passed Perry Frank to become the Wildcats all-time leading scorer. Just a junior, Mangas has totaled 2,479 total points, 574 rebounds, and 375 assists. Mangas had this to say about being named the 2020 Bevo Francis Award recipient.
“I want to thank my family, coaches, and teammates for helping me grow on and off the court this year,” said Mangas. “I am extremely grateful for their dedication and accountability. Small College Basketball is an incredible organization with great tradition who provides coverage to and supports college basketball teams across America. It is a tremendous honor to be named the Bevo Francis award winner for 2020.”
For his remarkable season, Mangas was named the NAIA DII Player of the Year, marking the first time in school history that a Wildcat student – athlete has been named National Player of Year. Mangas was also named NAIA First Team All – American for the third straight season. During the year he was named NAIA Player of the Week twice, to go along with Crossroads League Player of the Week six times. Wildcats Head Coach Greg Tonagel had this to say about Mangas.
“We are so proud of Kyle for yet another prestigious accolade,” stated Indiana Wesleyan Men’s Basketball head coach Greg Tonagel. “Kyle is that rare competitor who balances a fearless spirit with a humble demeanor. What is amazing is that he continues to reach new heights while still elevating his teammates before himself. This is one of, if not, the most prestigious awards for small college basketball. Kyle represents a piece of the storied legacy of Bevo Francis, who still to this day, is one of the greatest basketball players to ever play the game.”
The Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award is presented annually to the player who has had the finest overall season within Small College Basketball. Considerations are season statistics and individual achievements, awards, personal character and team achievements. This is an incredibly prestigious award, as this award is only give to one player within Small College Basketball per season.
2020 marks the fifth year of the Bevo Francis Award. Past winners include Dominez Burnett of Davenport University in 2016, Justin Pitts of Northwest Missouri State University in 2017, Emanuel Terry of Lincoln Memorial University in 2018, and Aston Francis of Wheaton College in 2019. McCarthy added this about Mangas.
“While Kyle has clearly posted some remarkable statistics - both for the season and for his career, thus far - I am so impressed with his unselfishness and his ability to remain remarkably humble. I know that Bevo Francis would be proud of Kyle Mangas."
To stay up to date on all things Small College Basketball, please head to smallcollegebasketball.com. To see the video announcement Click Here.
The evaluation process for the Bevo Francis Award is an ongoing process; as such, there is not a nomination form or deadlines. We will publish Watch Lists of 100 players on January 15, 50 players on February 15, and 25 players on March 15. On March 31, we will release a video of the finalists, and the Bevo Francis Award will be presented in person shortly thereafter on April 2. The e-mail address to send nominations and detailed information is bevofrancisaward@gmail.com. To send physical information to Small College Basketball, P.O. Box 901878, Kansas City, MO 64190.
About Bevo Francis
Bevo Francis played at Rio Grande College (now the University of Rio Grande) in Ohio in 1952-53 and 1953-54. When he arrived on campus, the school had 38 male students enrolled in the school and was on the verge of bankruptcy, planning to close its doors at the end of the 1952-53 school year. In the season before Bevo arrived at Rio Grande, the Redmen (now the Red Storm) had gone 4-19.
During his two seasons at Rio Grande, Bevo became the most popular basketball player in the world, and ultimately helped to save the school from bankruptcy. During his first year, the Redmen went 39-0, and Bevo scored 1,954 points and averaged 50.1 points per game. Against Ashland College (KY), Francis scored 116 points, which included 55 points in the final 10 minutes of the game.
(You can learn more about Bevo Francis through the Bevo Francis page on the Rio Grande website: http://www.rioredstorm.com/f/Bevo.php).
Articles about Bevo Francis
Remembering the Great Bevo Francis
http://www.ncaa.com/news/basketball-men/article/2015-11-22/college-basketball-remembering-great-bevo-francis
At One Time, Everyone Knew Bevo Francis
http://espn.go.com/classic/biography/s/Francis_Bevo.html
Bevo Francis Wikipedia page
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bevo_Francis
Hero Sports Feature on Bevo Francis Award
http://herosports.com/collegebasketball/new-award-honors-top-player-across-divisions-small-college-basketball/
Video about Bevo Francis
They Could Really Play The Game
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioPBkpF-V5A
