06/06/06

LMC Women's Basketball Coach Retiring after 19 Years

BENTON TOWNSHIP, MI - Rick Bloodworth, head coach of the Lake Michigan College women's basketball team has announced that he is retiring after 19 years with the College. He will continue as a teacher and head coach of the girls varsity basketball team at St. Joseph High School.

While at LMC, Bloodworth posted a 359 win/190 loss record. He led the lady Indians to five Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) Western Conference Championships, four MCCAA State Championships, two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XII Championships and three NJCAA National Tournament appearances, placing fourth in 1997 and sixth in 2000.

In the classroom, his teams have also excelled. During the last two years, his teams have earned a cumulative 3.0 grade point average.

"For almost 20 years, Coach Bloodworth proved you can run a championship-level program with local student-athletes and a commitment to academics," stated LMC Athletic Director Doug Schaffer. "We will definitely miss his talent and expertise as a coach, but most importantly, we will miss his friendship on a day-to-day basis."

Bloodworth is a four-time recipient of MCCAA Coach of the Year honors. He was also inducted into the Michigan Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2002.

According to Schaffer, LMC Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Joe Jarvie will be taking over as head coach of the team next season. Jarvie, who has been with the College as an assistant coach for nine years, is also head coach of the Lake Michigan Catholic girls basketball team.