Dave Hixon, Amherst​

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2023 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Hixon compiled a coaching record of 826-293, ranking him 15th in NCAA men's basketball when he retired in April 2020. He had a winning percentage of .738, good for a 10th place in NCAA Division III history, at the time of his retirement. He was named NABC NCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2013. He won national championships with Amherst in 2006-07 and 2012-13. In 2008, he reached the national championship game with his squad. In 2004, 2006, 2014, 2016, he led Amherst to the national semifinals. Under his tutelage, Amherst participated in the NCAA national tournament 20 times and compiled a 43-20 postseason record. However, due to New England Small Conference Athletic Conference (NESCAC) rules, his Amherst team was ineligible for NCAA postseason play until 1994. Several of Hixon's players went on to play professionally. Throughout his coaching career, Hixon received interest from NCAA Division I schools, especially from the Ivy League. In 2008, he was a candidate to become the new head coach of Bucknell. Hixon declined the offer, but suggested Dave Paulsen of Amherst's rival Williams College as a candidate. Paulsen eventually ended up getting the Bucknell job. On September 16, 2019 it was announced that Hixon would be taking a leave of absence for the 2019-2020 season, and that assistant coach Aaron Toomey would be the interim head coach. On April 13, 2020 Hixon announced his retirement. Hixon also coached soccer and track at Amherst. On May 7, 2022, the floor at Amherst's LeFrak Gymnasium was named Hixon Court