Abernethy Physical Education CenterThe Julius W. Abernethy Physical Education Center, home of Catawba’s basketball teams, is one of the finest on-campus athleticfacilities in the state of North Carolina. It was named after the late Julius W. Abernethy of Newton, N.C., and was dedicated onSeptember 26, 1970. <strong>Basketball</strong> games are played in the center’s Goodman Gymnasium, named in honor of Enoch A. Goodman ofSalisbury. In October of 2002, the floor was named in honor of former head coach, Sam Moir, who guided Catawba to 546 wins over34 seasons.The Indians, under head coach Sam Moir, properly opened the new facility with a 120-82 triumph over the visiting Pioneers ofTusculum College on November 27, 1970. Since that game, Catawba basketball teams have compiled an impressive 417-152 recordfor homes games, for a winning percentage of .733. The Tribe has recorded two 23-game home winning streaks in the past six years.The building, which cost more than $1.8 million to build, has a seating capacity of 3,500 for basketball, and now has a value ofabout $5 million. A beautiful maple hardwood playing surface was installed in December 1990. The facility is also used extensivelyfor intercollegiate volleyball, student activities, civic events, concerts and various athletic camps during the summer months.The College’s Athletic and Physical Education offices, as well as classrooms, are located on the upper level. Situated on the lowerlevel is the Allen S. Johnson, Jr. Swimming Pool, three racquetball courts, the Meyer Auxiliary Gym complete with an indoor battingcage, various student and athletic dressing accommodations, and the Lofland Strength Training Center.PLAN NOW FOR2010 CATAWBA COLLEGESUMMER CAMPS!Brochures will be distributed after January 1.Call 704-637-4473 for more information.Jorvewe Gibson- 6 -
Jim Baker - Head CoachJim Baker begins his 16th season as the head coach of themen’s basketball program at Catawba. During his tenure, Bakerhas guided the Indians to the NCAA II Tournament eight times.His teams have won nearly 65% of their games and have animpressive home record of 172-48 (78%). Catawba has a 91-52record in games decided by five points or less under coach Baker.Under Baker, Catawba has produced three conference Players ofthe Year and two All-Americans. The Indians have graduated 49of 53 seniors under Baker.The Indians have won back-to-back SAC Tourament titles toearn their regional spots the past two seasons. Catawba has wona league or tournament championship in five of the last sixseasons.In 2006-07, Baker was voted SAC Coach of the Year for thefifth time as Catawba won the league title and earned a spot inthe NCAA Regional Tournament. In <strong>2004</strong>-<strong>05</strong>, Baker earned SACCoach of the Year honors as the Indians claimed the conferencetitle and advanced to the NCAA II Tournament. In <strong>2004</strong>, Catawbabecame the lowest seed (#7) to win the league tournament, earninga regional tournament berth. After a 25-5 season and a thirdSouth Atlantic Conference title in 2001, Baker was named leagueCoach of the Year.Baker was named SAC and NCAA II Region Coach of the Yearin 1998, after Catawba posted a 25-6 record. He also earned SACCoach of the Year honors in 1996, after he guided the Indians totheir first conference title since 1983. His 16 victories in his firstseason was the most ever for a first-year basketball coach atCatawba. He has a 264-145 record over his first 14 seasons andranks second all-time in coaching victories at Catawba.Baker came to Catawba from Virginia Military Institute, wherehe had been an assistant coach for two seasons. He also hadNCAA Division Iexperience as anassistant at VirginiaTech (1989-91) andDavidson (1981-89). Baker came toCatawba in June1993, as an assistantcoach duringSam Moir’s finalcampaign as headcoach. Moir retiredin May 1994, ending a great 34-year career at Catawba.Baker, a dean’s list student at Catawba before graduating in1978, played for Moir from 1975-78. He transferred from UNC-Charlotte and was a part of two 20-win seasons at Catawba. Hewas a member of the 1976-77 Carolinas Conference Champion -ship team and three of his former teammates, Benny Callahan,Eric Harris and Herman Miles are in the Catawba Sports Hall ofFame.Baker began his coaching career as a graduate assistant forMoir in 1978-79 and at Wingate the next year, while earning amaster’s degree in human development and learning at UNC-Charlotte. He was also an assistant coach at Belmont Abbey(1980-81).Baker worked under Bobby Hussey at Davidson, Frankie Allenat Virginia Tech and Joe Cantafio at VMI. At Davidson, Baker waspart of a program which graduated 25 of 26 student athletes. Inaddition, the Wildcats put together back-to-back 20-win seasons(1986-87) and appeared in the 1986 NCAA Southeast Regional.While Baker was at Virginia Tech, the Hokies became only thethird team in Metro Conference history to sweep both MemphisState and Louisville in the same year. At VMI, Baker was responsiblefor recruiting, scouting, practice and bench coaching, publicspeaking, summer camps and scheduling.All of VMI’s seniors graduated during Baker’s stay there and hewas part of an outstanding recruiting class in 1992-93, which sawthree freshmen make the starting lineup.In addition to editing and publishing a monthly basketballnewsletter (“Time Out”), Baker has published four booklets:“Power Post Play,” “Striving for Excellence,” and “The Best ofTime Out, Books One and Two.” This year, Baker released a oneof a kind basketball CD-Rom “The Best of Time Out”.Baker’s ties to the international players in his program comefrom doing camps and clinics abroad. He has conducted bothcamps and clinics in Belgium, France, Iceland, Luxembourg,Barbados and Costa Rica. He has also served as the U.S. advisorto the Belgium Women’s Olympic basketball team.Baker comes from a strong sports family. Both his mother andfather were outstanding athletes and his dad, Walt, coached himat North Rowan High School where he graduated in 1974. Thefield house at North Rowan is named in his dad’s honor. Hisbrother, Chip, is a longtime assistant baseball coach at FloridaState.Baker and his wife, the former Tina Waters, reside in Concord.They have four children, Jamie (11), Madison (8) and Hannah (7)and Jacob (2).- 7 -