New Mexico JC Basketball Guide

Academic Quick Facts

History New Mexico Junior College enjoys the distinction of being the first junior college built in the state. Today, NMJC occupies 243 total acres, with approximately 500,000 square ft. of building space. The campus has a student population of approximately 3,000 students and 265 full-time employees, as well as a facility count of 24 buildings, including the newly constructed student apartments, the Western Hertiage Museum Complex & Lea County Cowboy Hall of Fame,and the new Training & Outreach Center.

NMJC offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees, along with certificates in the business and industry trades, andis comprised of five divisions including Arts & Humanities, Careers & Technology, Math & Sciences, Public Safety, and Training & Outreach. In addition, the college offersnationally-renowned NJCAA athletic programs. Through its outstanding programs, staff, and services, New Mexico Junior College fills an important educational need for Lea County and the surrounding area by actively promoting success through learning.

Housing C.M. Burke Hall for men and Harold Runnels Hall for women provide comfortable, convenient dormitory living for NMJC students. John Watson Student Apartments and Carroll Leavell Student Apartments provide furnished apartment living for NMJC students. A student apartment includes a kitchen, living room, four bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. Each bedroom has Internet access, cable TV connections, and local phone service. Also available 24/7 is a laundry facility located on the second floor. The complete area comprising of dorms and apartments is known as Thunderbird Village.

NMJC Student Apartments

Where Is New Mexico Junior College located? NMJC is located between the Lea County communities of Hobbs and Lovington, in the Llano Estacado region of southeastern New Mexico. This expansive, semi-arid region, renowned for its temperate climate, is steeped in a western rangeland heritage complemented by a modern petroleum industry.

NMJC at a glance – New Mexico Junior College was founded in 1965 as the first two-year college in the state. NMJC is a state-supported,regional, co-educational institution offering programs in liberal arts, professional, and technological areasto meet the post-secondary educational needs of the community.

Enrollment: Approximately 3,000 students from a number of different states and countries enroll at NMJC each semester.Degrees: The Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees are designed for transferto a four-year university. NMJC also offers Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates which prepare students for immediate employment.Faculty: 175 full-time and part-time instructorsCampus: 226.37 acresClass Size: The student to instructor ratio is 23:1.

NJCAA Division I Athletics Men Women Baseball Basketball Basketball Cross-Country Golf Rodeo Rodeo Track Athletic Training Program Thunderspirits Cheerleading team

Programs of Study

Associate of Arts (A.A.) ORAssociate of Science (A.S.)University Transfer ProgramAccountingAgricultureAnthropologyArtAthletic TrainingBusiness (All Concentrations)Communication / SpeechComputer ScienceCriminal JusticeDrama / TheatreEarly Childhood EducationEconomicsEducationEnglishGeneral StudiesGeographyGovernmentHistoryMusicPhilosophyPhysical EducationPre-Professional -Pre-Chiropractic -Pre-Dental -Pre-Engineering -Pre-Law -Pre-Med -Pre-Pharmacy -Pre-Physical Therapy -Pre-VeterinarianPsychologySociologySpanish

Certificate ProgramAccountingAdministrative AssistantGeneral Management / SupervisionArchitectural/Drafting Technology -Interior DesignAutomotive TechnologyCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Computer Information SystemsConstruction TechnologyCosmetology -Barbering -Cosmetology -Esthetician -Instructor -Manicurist/Facialist -Manicurist/PedicuristCriminal Justice -Correction Academy -Law Enforcement AcademyEarly Childhood EducationEnergy Technology -Energy Technician -Nuclear Technician -Radiological Control TechnicianNursing – LPNTransportation -CDL -CDL/Petroleum SafetyWelding

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)Architectural/Drafting Technology -Interior DesignAutomotive Technology -Ford ASSET -General Motors ASEPBusiness -Accounting -Entrepreneurship -Executive Assistant/Office Manager -ManagementComputer Information Systems -Programming & Data Base Support -Networking/Computer Technician -CISCO Network Specialist -GeneralistConstruction TechnologyCosmetology -Cosmetology -BarberingCriminal JusticeEnergy Technology -Energy Technician -Nuclear Technician -Radiological Control Technician -Industrial TechnologyLegal SecretaryNursing - RNParalegalSubstance Abuse CounselorWelding

Head Coach Chris Tifft & Asst Coach James Miller

Coming to NMJC as the former Head Men’s Basketball Coach at Lamar Community College, Lamar, Colorado, Chris Tifft brings with him an impressive record. During his five years at Lamar, Tifft led the LCC men’s team to a level of success that had not been seen in four decades. Coaching the team to three consecutive 20-win seasons and amassing a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, Tifft led LCC to their first-ever Region IX Championship this past season and qualified for their first trip to the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas. Under Tifft, the team concluded the tournament with a 3-1 record and placed 5th in the nation. Tifft was also named the District IX Men’s Division I Basketball Coach of the Year.

Prior to his serving as Head Coach at Lamar, Tifft was the Assistant Basketball Coach at both Dodge City (Kansas) Community College (2001-2004) and the University of Nevada-Reno (1996-2001).

According to Don Worth, NMJC Athletic Director, having Tifft on board now is perfect timing. “Chris Tifft is exactly the right person in the right place at the right time. He has everything we need—the experience, the heart, the professionalism, the integrity, the commitment, the people skills, the discipline, the focus, everything—to take this program to the next level. We’re thrilled he’s here, and it’s going to be great to watching Chris take the T-Birds to where they need to be,” said Worth.

Tifft also pointed out that NMJC already has the basics in place. “I want the student-athletes who play T-Bird basketball to know they have a great place here. The housing facilities are amazing, and the campus and athletic facilities are great. I want our players to know that they have all the resources necessary to compete at the highest level, and feel like they are in the best place in the country.”

James Miller comes to NMJC with experience as both an assistant college basketball coach and high-school basketball coach. He couples this knowledge with degrees in Health, Sport and Exercise Science. He is responsible for the recruiting of prospective student-athletes, organizing the team’s conditioning and scouting, and assisting in scheduling, making travel plans and fundraising.

A native of Colorado, Miller joined the NMJC coaching staff in the fall of 2009. Prior to this, he had served four years as the Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach at Colorado State University-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado. This was the sister school to Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree with a focus on health promotion and coaching. After obtaining his bachelor degree, Miller went on to receive his Master of Science Degree with an emphasis in Sport Administration from the University of North Colorado in Greeley, Colorado.

“I know what our student-athletes are capable of and I appreciate Coach Tifft giving me the opportunity to work with him in developing their character and work ethic.”

Along with his team’s successes on the court, Tifft also established high expectations in the classroom. For the 2007/2008 season, Tifft’s team finished the academic year with a 3.04 cumulative GPA. A community college graduate himself, Tifft holds an associate’s degree from Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, Missouri; a bachelor’s degree (with a major in Geography) from the University of Nevada-Reno; and a master’s degree (with a major in Educational Leadership) from the University of Nevada-Reno.

Head Coach Chris Tifft

PersonalFull Name: Christopher Michael TifftHometown: Macomb, ILBirthdate: February 4, 1973Alma Mater: University of Nevada, Reno, 1996Wife: Heather (from Carson City, NV)Children: Kamryn (2)

Education & Playing ExperienceUniversity of Nevada, 1999 Master’s of EducationUniversity of Nevada, 1996 Bachelor’s of Science, Geography 2-year letter winnerThree Rivers Community College Associate of Arts 1-year letter winner

Coaching Experience

New Mexico Junior College2009 – Present Head Coach

Lamar Community College2004 – 2009 Head Coach

Dodge City Community College2001 – 2004 Assistant Coach

University of Nevada, Reno1996 – 2001 Assistant Coach

Head Coach Chris Tifft

As Head Coach at Lamar Community College •LedLamartoitsfirsteverNJCAANationalTournamentAppearancein2008/2009 •5thPlaceFinishat2009NJCAANationalTournamentinHutchinson,KS •Capturedtheschool’sfirsteverRegionIXChampionshipin2008/2009 •3Consecutive20+winseasonsfrom2006-2009 •District9Men’sDivision-IBasketballCoachoftheYear,2009 •Postedfirstbacktoback20winseasonsatLamarsince1968/1969seasons •Had11playerssignattheDivision-Ilevel/26movedontothe4-yearlevel As Assistant Coach at Dodge City Community College •Coachedand/orrecruited7All-Conference/All-Regionplayers •Finished2ndand3rdinKansasJayhawkCommunityCollegeConference •Had7playerssignattheDivisionIlevel

As Assistant Coach at the University of Nevada, Reno •Coachedinpost-seasonNationalInvitationTournament(NIT),1996-97 •BigWestConferenceEasternDivisionChampions,1996-97 •Coachedand/orrecruited9All-Conferenceselections

As a Player •NJCAANationalChampionshipRunner-Up,1993-94(Player);ThreeRiversC.C. •Playedfortheall-timemostwinningNJCAAHeadCoach,GeneBessofThreeRiversC.C. •PlayedintheBigWestConferenceChampionshipGame;UniversityofNevada,Reno

Tifft Branched from the Best

Tifft All-Conference Players

Coach Tifft’s Former Division I Players

Kerbrell Brown 6’7”Universtiy of South CarolinaNCAA Tournament

Brent Wilson 6’8”Mammouth UniverstiyNCAA Tournament

Gary Ware 6’9”Purdue University

Jamal Edwards 6’2”University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Brandon Johnson 6’8”Long Beach State University

P.J. Reyes 6’4”University of South Alabama3rd Team All-American

Coach Tifft’s Former Division I Players

Todd Okeson 6’1”Universtiy of NevadaNCAA Tournament – Sweet 16

Antwone Snead 6’5”IPFW

Ogo Adegboye 6’0”St. Bonaventure University

Cory Lewis 6’2”Colorado State University

Troy Okeson 6’3”Western Illinois University

Kevyn Green 6’5”Southeastern Louisiana University

Anthony Teague 6’5”Universtiy of New Mexico

Yima Chia-Kur 6’6” Arkansas State University

Delvin Franklin 6’2”Florida Gulf Coast University

Darius Joseph 6’2”Universtiy of North Dakota

Former Thunderbirds and the NBA

Charles CrissAtlanta Hawks, San Diego Clippers,and Milwaukee Bucks

Andrew PettesDraft choice of the Kentucky Colonels

Mike RussellDraft choice of the Kansas City Kings

Rod CampDraft choice of the Seattle Supersonics

Mike RichmondDraft choice of the Dallas Mavericks

Harold WrightDenver Nuggets

Richard HollisDraft choice of the Dallas Mavericks

Avery JohnsonSan Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Supersonics, and Houston Rockets u

NMJC All Conference • All-Region V • All-American

All Conference Players

Elmer Singletary 1967-68

Lee Coleman 1967-68

Andrew Pettes 1968-69

Danny Whitlock 1969-70

Willie Banks 1969-70, 1970-71

Ben Garner 1971-72

Donnie Jackson 1972-73

Ricky Gibson 1973-74

Mike Russell 1974-75

Ron Doyle 1975-76

Rod Camp 1978-79

Mike Smith 1981-82

Charles Prescott 1981-82

Dennis Johnson 1982-83

Kenny Smith 1982-83

Mike Richmond 1983-84

Derrick Hill 1984-85, 1985-86

Eddie Newell 1984-85

*Richard Hollis 1985-86, 1986-87

Johnnie Hilliard 1986-87

Rodney Jones 1986-87, 1987-88

Marshall Taylor 1987-88

Willie Hartsfield 1987-88

Marc Thompson 1989-90

Reggie Collins 1989-90

Will Scott 1990-91

*Greg Brown 1991-92

James Inman 1991-92

Dell Savage 1991-92, 1992-93

Sonny Alverado 1992-93

Terrence Fitzpatrick 1993-94

Shawn Baker 1993-94, 1994-95

Lenny Holly 1994-95

Derrick Perry 1994-95

Ken Sims 1995-96

Harry Allen 1995-96

Micah Reed 1996-97

Rupert McClendon 1996-97, 1997-98

Jerome Brown 1997-98

Rafi Stevens 1998-99

Anthony Harley 1999-00

James Felder 1999-00

Kemar Burrowes 2000-01

Ryan Chancler 2000-01

Anthony Slater 2000-01

Victor Colon 2002-03

Bret Ward 2002-03

James Horner 2002-03

Kareem Lloyd 2003-04

Fred Campbell 2003-04

Karim Telfer 2003-04

Louis Benson 2007-08*Player of the Year

All Region V

Charles Criss 1966-67

Willie Banks 1967-68

Ben Barner 1970-71

Ricky Gibson 1971-72

Mike Russell 1973-74

Rod Camp 1978-79

*Richard Hollis 1986-87

Rodney Jones 1987-88

Will Scott 1990-91

*Greg Brown 1991-92

Dell Savage 1992-93

Sonny Alvarado 1992-93

Shawn Baker 1994-95

Lenny Holly 1994-95

Ken Sims 1995-96

Rupert McClendon 1997-98

Rafi Stevens 1998-99

James Felder 1999-00

Kemar Burrowes 2000-01

Ryan Chancler 2000-01

Anthony Slater 2000-01

Tareick Leach 2001-02

Victor Colon 2001-02

Bret Ward 2002-03

Kareem Lloyd 2003-04*Player of the Year

All-American

Richard Hollis (National Player

of the Year) 1986-87

Greg Brown 1991-92

Caster Activity Center & Lea County Event Center

Caster Activity Center – This structure houses recreational / athletic facilities for students as well as members of the general public. The CAC also houses the Athletic Department offices. The activity complex combines some of the finest equipment and conveniences with an active calendar of intercollegiate and other athletic events. Users may access basketball courts, racquetball courts, dry saunas, an aerobic dance studio, a full-equipped weight room, a fitness room, and an indoor golf driving range, as well as office, locker, and shower facilities. Just west of the CAC are outdoor tennis courts and an all-weather track facility.

t CASTER ACTIVITY CENTER photo

p Lea County Event Center The Lea County Event Center, the second-largest facility of its kind in New Mexico is located in Hobbs, offers a wide variety of events and activities throughout the year. The National Finals for the PRC Roping Contest is held in the indoor arena as well as indoor soccer and college basketball games. The Lea County Event Center is located just next door to the campus of New Mexico Junior College.

NMJC Campus

Individual Workouts

NEW MEXICO BASKETBALL INDIVIDUAL WORKOUTS

GUARDS POSTS

1) Elbow to Elbow Shooting 1) Elbow to Elbow Shooting

2) 5 Spot Shooting 2) Mikan Drill – Facing & Reverse

3) Zig Zag Shooting 3) Position Work

4) 5 Phase Cutting 4) Power Moves: Block to Block

5) Toss Back Shooting 5) Gather & Dunk

6) 1 on 1: 2 Dribbles 6) Square Up Shooting

7) Passing: Wall & Lane Slides 7) Offensive Breakdown

8) Dribbling: Chair 8) Duck In

9) Full Court Dribbling: 4 Moves 9) Crossover

10) 2 Man Shooting: 3 Pt Shots & Penetrate & Pitch 10) Play Dead

11) L-Cut Shooting 11) Re-post

12) Sideline Shooting 12) Rebound, Pivot, Outlet

13) Drop & Drive 13) Rebound and Score

14) Screening: Reading & Setting 14) Hi-post: V-Cut Off Baseline

15) Handle vs. Pressure 15) Secondary Break

16) Stride Stop / Jump Stop Shooting 16)Reverse Pivot

17) 2 Chair Dribbling / Change Direction 17)Superman

18) Daily Dozen 18)Footwork / Ball Taps

19) Dribble, Pivot, Pass 19)Screen & Roll / Screen & Pop

20)1-Minute Shooting 20) 1 on 1, 2 on 2

Weightlifting Program

Academic Appointment

ACADEMIC APPOINTMENT

ATHLETE:_________________________ DATE:_________________________

1) Have you attended class regularly over the past two weeks?

2) Have you completed all of your assignments on time?

3) Give an accurate report on all tests taken over the past two weeks.

4) Give an accurate report on all projects, papers and/or major assignments.

5) Which class(es) are you experiencing difficulty in?

6) Do you need a tutor for any of the classes mentioned above?

7) Comments:

ATHLETE’S SIGNATURE_________________________

COACH’S SIGNATURE___________________________