Warner University Sports Hall of Fame
Heading into the 2001-2002 basketball season, the Warner Southern College men’s program had won 25+ games only once in their 28-year history. By the time the season ended the Royals now had their second along with some hardware for the trophy case. The 2001-2002 Royals’ squad led by third-year head coach Kory Bays finished the year with a program best 30-5 overall record, which still stands today, along with a Florida Sun Conference championship and an Elite 8 finish at the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Tournament.
Coming off a 14-14 record in the 2000-2001 season, the Royals defied the odds in year three under Bays and finished ranked as high as No. 3 in the country. On Jan. 10, 2002, the Royals began a 16-game winning streak, the longest in program history. It was a streak that carried the Royals through the second half of the season, through the conference tournament and into the national tournament. During the streak, the Royals won by an average of 21.7 points including back-to-back 40+ point victories over Florida College (96-56) and Florida Memorial College (98-54).
Aside from the most wins in school history, the Royals set 19 single game and single season records that are still standing today. Among them are field goals made (1,186), points per game (92.3) and total rebounds (1,583).
The Royals were led by First Team All-American and Florida Sun Conference Player of the Year Anthony Brown. Brown was joined by fellow All-Americans Travis James, Neil Foster, Ryan Menten and Mats Olsson.
Front Row (left to right): Isaiah Simmons, Ryan C. Menten, Travis James, Jerry Moore, Neil Foster, Anthony W. Brown, Rocco DeFelice; Back Row (left to right): Manny Suarez, Jason Bays, Wade Mawdesley, Hesston Hooten, Mike Taber, Mats Olsson, Matthew Smith, Travis Allen, Kory Bays; Not Pictured: Bruce McKinnies, Thomas Pierre
