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VU Trailblazer Coach and NJCAA Hall of Fame inductee Todd Franklin to be recognized at Feb. 24 game

Todd Franklin headshot

February 05, 2018

VINCENNES, Ind. - Vincennes University will recognize Trailblazer Coach Todd Franklin on Feb. 24 as a 2018 inductee to the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Coach Franklin will be honored prior to the Feb. 24 men’s game against Lewis and Clark. The game begins at 7 p.m. (EDT).

Now entering his 21st season as a head coach at the collegiate level, the 2017-18 season marks Franklin’s eighth at the helm for Vincennes; a span that includes five consecutive trips to the national tournament, only the second program in the history of the NJCAA to achieve that feat.

Prior to the start of this season, Franklin had amassed 534 wins, with a .800 winning percentage, including a record of 204-36 at Vincennes; he was 330-97 at Southeastern Illinois and currently is 555-133 overall. The Trailblazers reached the Elite 8 of the 2017 NJCAA tournament after winning the regular and postseason District 16 titles. During his time at Vincennes, over 100 student athletes have received full-scholarship offers to the four-year level.

Franklin's basketball coaching tenure includes stops at Southeastern Illinois, Missouri-Rolla, and Austin Peay. A former basketball player at Union College and Brescia College, Franklin holds a master's degree in physical education from Austin Peay and a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in athletic coaching from Western Kentucky.

With any mention of his career coaching record, Franklin gives credit to his players. “They’re the ones who won those games,” says Franklin. “I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded by so many great players throughout the years and am always happy to see to the type of men they turn out to be.”

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