Men's Basketball Honoring Legendary Coach Glenn Van Wieren '64

The Glenn Van Wieren Classic tips off Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21, at DeVos Fieldhouse

The Hope College men's basketball team will host the inaugural Glenn Van Wieren Classic this weekend at DeVos Fieldhouse.

The two-day tournament features the Flying Dutchmen, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Indiana), DePauw University (Indiana) and The University of Olivet, and honors the Flying Dutchmen's legendary coach and 1964 graduate.

On Friday, Dec. 20, the 5 p.m. game pits DePauw against Olivet. Hope and Rose-Hulman follow at 7 p.m. Doors open at 4 p.m.

On Saturday, Dec. 21, Rose-Hulman and Olivet will play at 1 p.m. Hope and DePauw follow at 3 p.m. Doors open at noon.

Hope men's basketball thrived under the leadership of Van Wieren, who over a 33-year coaching career developed one of the nation's most highly respected NCAA Division III programs. Van Wieren retired at the conclusion of the 2009-10 season.

Over 33 seasons, Van Wieren led the Flying Dutchmen to a 669-219 overall record (.751)

A product of the basketball program himself, Van Wieren guided the Flying Dutchmen to a record 17 MIAA championships and appearances in 21 NCAA Division III postseason tournaments.

Hope finished national runner-up twice (1996 and 1998) during Van Wieren's tenure and third in 2008. The Flying Dutchmen advanced to the Sweet Sixteen six times, to the Elite Eight four times and the Final Four three times.

In his final season (2009-10), the Flying Dutchmen posted a school-record 31st consecutive winning campaign.

On Jan. 12, 2008, Van Wieren became just the sixth coach in NCAA Division III men's basketball history to achieve 600 victories. He reached 600 victories faster than any other Division III coach (801st game) in history.

The previous mark was by Glenn Robinson of Franklin & Marshall, who won number 600 in his 821st game. Van Wieren's career record was a sterling 660-219 (75% winning clip).

Van Wieren coached two teams -- 1983-84 and 1994-95 -- through unbeaten regular-season campaigns. He ended his career ranked the fifth-winningest coach in NCAA Division III history, both in victories and winning percentage.

The basketball court in the DeVos Fieldhouse on Hope's campus is named in honor of coach Van Wieren, his coaching mentor, Russ DeVette, and their wives, Jacquelyn (Jackie) and Doris.

Gallery: (12-20-2024) Glenn Van Wieren Career

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