MURFREESBORO – Surrounded by family and his players, Jim Tribbett was recognized for a career milestone earlier this season.

Tribbett, who was giving a standing ovation by the crowd gathered at the Helms Center, was given a game ball commemorating his 100th career win which actually occurred at the end of the 2005-2006 season.

“It was nice that Dr. (Chris) White and the athletic department wanted to recognize me in front of the local crowd,” Tribbett said. “Even though it was accomplished last year, it was a road game and we didn’t have another game at home.

“I think they just wanted to take time to show they appreciate my hard work here and I’m grateful for that,” he added.

Chowan Athletic Director Dennis Helsel echoed those thoughts, saying it was important for the university to recognize the achievement.

“The Chowan University administration knows Jim is a good coach and the right coach at the right time for Chowan University, but everybody is looking for factual indicators that justify that position,” Helsel said. “Jim joining an elite group is just further testament to the good things he has brought to Chowan and done while at Chowan.”

Tribbett eclipsed the 100-win plateau last year during a 19-win campaign at Chowan, the most the school has accomplished in their four-year history.

The actual 100th victory came in the semifinals of the National Christian College Athletic Association South Regional against Palm Beach Atlantic.

“The South Regional was a stepping stone to the nationals, which helped make it a special season,” Tribbett said.

The Hawks went on to win the South Regional and finished third in the nation. Tribbett was named South Region Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year along the way.

He said having that group of players be part of the win made it even more special.

“I’m really proud of the things we’ve accomplished at Chowan,” he said. “Also, of what we’ve started. Of 100 wins, we got 19 last year with the first recruiting class I brought here n that’s pretty significant. It was neat that they could be part of the celebration.”

In all, Tribbett has 55 current wins at Chowan to go along with 51 wins at Greensboro College, where he was the head basketball coach. The total last season helped him eclipse the 100-victory mark.

“It’s a number,” he said. “It’s a landmark. I’m certainly proud of that accomplishment.

“It’s taken a while to get to it,” he added. “It’s well-documented that I’m a builder of programs and not a maintainer. When you’re that kind of coach, it takes some years to put the figures together.

“It also says I’ve been in the game for a while and that makes me proud as well,” he continued.

When Tribbett was awarded the basketball for his 100th victory, he was surrounded by family and friends. That made the night even more special he said.

“It was really nice to have my family with me,” he said. “My wife, Sally, any coach’s wife is a saint. Having Sally and my son, Johnny, there with me was special. It also meant a lot to have my in-laws there with me.”

Tribbett has now amassed 106 victories in his career and is well on his way to another successful season in his fifth year as head coach of the Hawks.