Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Dr. Jim "Pappy" Hamilton is one of the greatest basketball coaches in Lenoir-Rhyne College history.  A native of Pittsburgh, Kansas, Hamilton posted a 131-50 mark from 1950 to 1957 as he guided the Bear basketball teams to a .724 winning percentage during that time.  He had seven straight teams to win 20 or more games, and his 1956-57 team rolled to 24 consecutive victories, still an L-R record. He was District Coach of the Year in 1954 and helped produce such standouts as Raeford Wells and Bob Ortmyer, both of whom are L-R Hall of Famers.