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Owens Men’s Basketball Wins Last Home Game For NJCAA Legendary Head Coach

Owens Community College men’s basketball head coach Jim Welling capped his final regular-season home game with what else – a victory. The Express added another win to his impressive record with a 103-69 victory over Siena Heights University JVs at the Student Health and Activities Center.

At the conclusion of the game, Owens honored coach Welling and his family for exemplary contributions to the men’s basketball program during the past 20 years. As part of the ceremony, Owens vice president of Student Services, Dr. Bill Ivoska awarded coach Welling the game ball.

“It has been a privilege to coach so many talented players and with such tremendous assistant coaches over the years,” said Welling. “I also owe a debt of gratitude to my family, friends and Owens Community College and the support they have shown during my career.”

Earlier this year, coach Welling announced that the upcoming 2005-06 season would be his last, signaling an end to the most successful era in the program’s history.

Welling began his coaching career at Owens during the 1986-87 season. In his first year, he led the Express to 22 victories. Welling, whose career record now stands at 548-125, has recorded only one losing season during his 20-year tenure at Owens. He has led the Express to many notable achievements, including NJCAA Division II National Championships in 1992 and 1993. In addition, Owens has averaged 27 wins while Welling has served as head coach.

His squads have captured seven Great Lakes Region XII Championships, nine Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) State Tournament Championships and eight OCCAC Conference Championships. Welling has been named Coach of the Year five times by the OCCAC, seven times by Region XII and twice by the NJCAA Division II.

Last year, Welling reached a milestone in his illustrious basketball career by earning victory No. 500 with an 81-71 win over Hillsborough Community College. At the age of 45, he was one of the youngest basketball coaches in NJCAA history ever to accomplish this feat.

Since 1986, Welling has sent 58 players to NCAA Division I programs. Overall, 90 percent of his student-athletes have gone on to play intercollegiate basketball at four-year academic institutions. Most importantly, Welling’s program has graduated 86 percent of his players.

Although he is stepping down as head coach of men’s basketball, Welling will continue to serve as the College’s director of Student Enrichment and Athletics, as well as head coach of the new Express golf program.

Owens men’s basketball program has amassed an overall record of 24-5 and a 9-4 mark (second place tie) in the OCCAC. They also are ranked No. 8 in the nation, according to this week’s NJCAA Division II poll.

The Express will conclude their regular season at Cincinnati State Community College on Saturday, February 25. Owens will next play at home when they host the NJCAA Region XII (District 7) Men’s Basketball Championships in postseason competition, March 9-12.

Owens Community College is one of the fastest-growing higher educational institutions in Ohio. On the Toledo-area and Findlay-area campuses, Owens serves more than 45,000 credit and non-credit students, making it the number one choice for new college students. Owens is committed to providing small classes, personal attention and unmatched affordability. Owens Community College offers over 150 program areas in Agriculture, Business, Fine and Performing Arts, Health, Public Service, Skilled Trades, and Industrial and Engineering Technologies. Owens students also can earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree with a smooth transfer to any area four-year college or university.