Lincoln's Corbett to join MIAA Hall of Fame

Donald Corbett, the winningest men's basketball coach in Lincoln University history, has been selected as an inductee into the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association's Hall of Fame.

Corbett joins one of his former players, Harold Robertson, as the second person from Lincoln to enter the league's hall.

Corbett compiled a 159-59 record and led the Blue Tigers to five NCAA appearances as Lincoln's head coach from 1971-79. He also guided the Blue Tigers to three MIAA regular-season championships.

In eight years at the helm at Lincoln, Corbett never won fewer than 17 games, and in four of the seasons, the Blue Tigers tallied at least 20 wins. Corbett led Lincoln to three 22-win campaigns, the second-most victories by the Blue Tigers in program history.

Corbett also coached some of the best players in Lincoln history, including Robertson, who led NCAA Division II in scoring with a 34.5 average in 1977-78 and was twice the MIAA's scoring champion. Following the 1977-78 campaign, Robertson and Tim Abney were named All-MIAA, marking the last time Lincoln had multiple all-league honorees until Mike Smith and Josh Buie this past season.

Following his success at Lincoln, Corbett went on to coach at North Carolina A&T, where he posted a 249-133 record and led the Aggies to seven NCAA Tournament appearances in 14 seasons. Corbett took A&T to seven Mid Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season championships and seven MEAC tournament championships - a mark that ties the University of Kentucky for the most consecutive tournament champions.

A 1964 graduate of Lincoln, Corbett will be enshrined in the MIAA Hall of Fame along with Chuck Broyles (football coach, Pittsburg State), Shelley Duffey (women's basketball, Washburn), Kendall Gammon (football, Pittsburg State), Brice Garnett (men's golf, Missouri Western), Brad Hill (baseball coach, Central Missouri), Rick Ladjevich (baseball, Central Missouri), Heather Leverington (women's track, Emporia State), Michael Obertop (men's tennis, Southwest Baptist) and Rhesa Sumrell (softball coach, Missouri Western and Central Missouri).

This year's hall of fame induction ceremony will be held June 5 at the Kansas City Public Library - Plaza Branch.