Kohnke Receives Raymond Bright Award

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Conway, Ark. – The accolades continue to come in for Central Baptist College men's basketball head coach Sam Kohnke. Today, he received the eighth annual Raymond Bright award as the top college coach in Conway after his Mustangs made it all the way to the NAIA National Quarterfinals last year.

            Bright coached track and field and football and was the athletic director at Conway High School from 1949-57 and then coach football at UCA from 1965-71. "I am incredibly thankful to receive the Raymond Bright Award," said Kohnke. "Coach Bright was an extraordinary man and coach, and it is the highest honor to receive this award in his name. I have been blessed to work with an exceptional coaching staff and a remarkable group of student-athletes this season. Our team was tough, intelligent and played selflessly for each other. This season was extraordinary for our group, achieving a 28-7 record, an American Midwest Conference championship and a trip to the NAIA National Quarterfinals. Special seasons like this do not happen without a group of special people. I am beyond grateful for my team and humbled to receive this special award."

            The 2023-24 Mustangs set a program record for wins and saw Kohnke earn the AMC Coach of the Year with the AMC Tournament MVP (Sage Borbon), Sixth Man of the Year (Kyle Harding) and NAIA Third-Team All-American Deshawn Corprew.