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An in-depth look at Division III

Posted Jan. 16, 2001

By Mark Simon
D3hoops.com

Those who know second-year University of Dallas men's basketball coach Brian Stanfield well know enough not to make mention of the then-national record 86-game losing streak the program went through between 1985 and 1988.

"Not when I'm around,'' said Stanfield, whose squad is 11-0, is one of two unbeaten Division III men's programs (Wilkes being the other) and has the longest Division III winning streak in the nation at 14 games heading into matchups this weekend with American Southwest Conference rivals Louisiana College and No. 22 Mississippi College. "I wasn't here then. None of our players were here then. It's just there. We use it to say 'Look how far we've come.'''

It's been, as Stanfield describes it "a gradual process" but the Crusaders have made a lot of strides for a team that has had one winning season in its history.

"Last year we were 12-12 and it was disappointing,'' said Stanfield. "The team had won 11 games the season before and it let a couple of games at home slip by. The good news is that it was disappointing. We realized we were better than that. We talked about the possibilities this season. We said that we would play one game at a time and see what happens.''

What has happened is the development of a winning attitude, a product that stemmed from talent, and a schedule that isn't exactly loaded with powerhouse opposition.

"Admittedly so,'' Stanfield said. "That was part of the plan to a degree. When you're dealing with a tradition that nobody likes to talk about, the hardest thing is to get people feeling what it feels like to win. We have a young group, so we wanted them to feel what it was like to be successful. It has played a role in keeping things moving along.''

Senior forward George Schneller battles his way to the basket.

Senior forward George Schneller is the team's top scorer, averaging 17.4 ppg on 51% shooting. Senior point guard Jarred Samples has an assist/turnover ratio of nearly 2.5 to 1 and has served as the Crusaders coach on the floor. Senior backcourt mate Bill Abide has developed into a legitimate outside shooting threat. Sophomore Bill Sei was among the team's best rebounders, until recently sidelined by a broken jaw suffered taking a charge -- during practice. He's been ably replaced by freshman Steven Robinson. Fellow freshman Nick Birks has been an imposing defensive presence, something the team didn't have last season.

"We have the maturity of our seniors and the youthful ignorance of our sophomores and freshmen,'' Stanfield said. "It's somewhat of a sedate group, but they have a quiet confidence. They understand that they have to be consistent.''

Their coach has learned along the way as well. The son of Drury (Mo.) College coach Gary Stanfield, Brian Stanfield is getting his first chance to be a collegiate head coach. Prior to this job he had been a vice-president of corporate sales for Coaches Edge Inc., a multimedia information firm specializing in sports analytical software, but decided coaching was what he wanted to do while serving as an instructor at the Roy Williams/Kansas University Basketball Camp.

In less than two years on the job, Stanfield's impact has been significant. Next season the Crusaders will play a tougher schedule and will become an independent program, one that hopes to move into the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

But Dallas hasn't garnered much national respect yet. Infamy, you see, takes a long time to shed.

"I think we're right where we should be,'' Stanfield said. "We have a lot to prove. Could we beat some Top 25 teams? Yes. Are we deserving of a ranking? No, because we haven't proven it yet. We have a tough weekend ahead, but we're ready for it. We're ready for the next step.''

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