Today (04.15.12) at the 71^st Annual NAIA National Convention, the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference (MCAC) Athletic Directors in attendance unanimously approved the renaming of a major conference award.   

The MCAC Women's Basketball Conference Commissioner, at the request of the conference women's basketball coaches proposed renaming the MCAC "Coach of the Year" to the "Phil Homeratha Award."  The newly named award will continue to be given at the conclusion of the MCAC Women's Basketball Season.  The award is a peer determined award.

Coach Phil Homeratha (Otoe-Missouri) dedicated over 40 years of service to the Athletic Department and the Haskell community.  Homeratha guided a variety of sports while at Haskell, and concluded his coaching career with the women's basketball team in February of 2011.

On December 29, 2011 Coach Homeratha's courageous battle with cancer came to an end.  And on February 4th, 2012, the Haskell Community, and Athletic Department stood by Coach Homeratha's closest friends, and former athletes in honor of his life.  At the conclusion of the February memorial, Coach Homeratha's memorabilia was entered into the newly founded Haskell Hall of Athletics.    

Notable National Championships under the direction of Coach Homeratha include:

2009-2010            NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championships (Appearance)

1998-1999            NJCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championships (3^rd place finish)

1989                       NJCAA Division II Men's Cross Country National Championships (8^th place finish)

1985-1986            NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championships (7^th place finish)

A great article by Trish Reeves and Lorene Williams featuring Coach Homeratha can found at ....

Tribal College Journal http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org/archives/12502

Additional information on Coach Homeratha's career at Haskell is located in an article at ....

Haskell Athletics http://www.haskellathletics.com/article/56.php