Davidson-Davie's Ridge Elected New Secretary
The NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association has announced Matt Ridge as its new secretary/treasurer. Ridge currently serves as both the head men’s basketball coach and athletic director at Davidson-Davie Community College in Thomasville, North Carolina.
"I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association," Ridge said. "This committee consists of a lot of people that I have tremendous respect for."
"I’m looking forward to working closely with all committee members to continue to make positive progress for NJCAA Men’s Basketball on a national stage. Without question, I'm sure I will learn a lot from other committee members that have wisdom, knowledge and experience."
Ridge was appointed as the Storm’s head coach in 2007 and brings a wealth of experience to the coaches association. Since taking over, he has guided the program to an outstanding 500–90 record, losing only 20 home games during that span. His win total is the highest among all junior college coaches over the past 18 years.
Ridge’s accomplishments at Davidson-Davie are extensive. He has led the Storm to 10 District VII Championship appearances and 10 NJCAA National Tournament appearances. The Storm have won nine of those district championship trips. Ridge has also overseen three undefeated regular-season conference title seasons. At the national tournament, he coached Davidson-Davie to two national runner-up finishes and seven additional top-eight finishes.
Individually, Ridge has earned 11 Region 10 Coach of the Year awards and has been named District Coach of the Year 10 times.
Prior to his time at Davidson-Davie, Ridge served as an assistant coach at Guilford College and spent six successful seasons (2000–06) as the head boys’ basketball coach at East Davidson High School.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Ridge as the newest addition to our committee," Coaches Association President Tim Sandquist said. "He brings deep-rooted NJCAA experience to our group from the Division II level in a region of the country we haven't had representation from in recent years. His 20 years of NJCAA commitment and involvement will be of great benefit to our committee, and the student-athletes and coaches across the country."
Ridge will join Sandquist (Kirkwood), First Vice President Pete Norman (Highland, Ill., former), Second Vice President Cord Wright (Northeast Mississippi), and Third Vice President John Bowler (Parkland) as an officer on the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Committee.
For more information on the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association, visit www.jcbca.com.
"I am honored to have been chosen to be a part of the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association," Ridge said. "This committee consists of a lot of people that I have tremendous respect for."
"I’m looking forward to working closely with all committee members to continue to make positive progress for NJCAA Men’s Basketball on a national stage. Without question, I'm sure I will learn a lot from other committee members that have wisdom, knowledge and experience."
Ridge was appointed as the Storm’s head coach in 2007 and brings a wealth of experience to the coaches association. Since taking over, he has guided the program to an outstanding 500–90 record, losing only 20 home games during that span. His win total is the highest among all junior college coaches over the past 18 years.
Ridge’s accomplishments at Davidson-Davie are extensive. He has led the Storm to 10 District VII Championship appearances and 10 NJCAA National Tournament appearances. The Storm have won nine of those district championship trips. Ridge has also overseen three undefeated regular-season conference title seasons. At the national tournament, he coached Davidson-Davie to two national runner-up finishes and seven additional top-eight finishes.
Individually, Ridge has earned 11 Region 10 Coach of the Year awards and has been named District Coach of the Year 10 times.
Prior to his time at Davidson-Davie, Ridge served as an assistant coach at Guilford College and spent six successful seasons (2000–06) as the head boys’ basketball coach at East Davidson High School.
"We are excited to welcome Coach Ridge as the newest addition to our committee," Coaches Association President Tim Sandquist said. "He brings deep-rooted NJCAA experience to our group from the Division II level in a region of the country we haven't had representation from in recent years. His 20 years of NJCAA commitment and involvement will be of great benefit to our committee, and the student-athletes and coaches across the country."
Ridge will join Sandquist (Kirkwood), First Vice President Pete Norman (Highland, Ill., former), Second Vice President Cord Wright (Northeast Mississippi), and Third Vice President John Bowler (Parkland) as an officer on the NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association Committee.
For more information on the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association, visit www.jcbca.com.
Hall of Fame Nomination Portal:
Each year the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Selects 3-5 coaches, players or contributors that have exemplified a lifetime of excellence to both the NJCAA and the sport of basketball. We encourage anyone to nominate any player, coach or contributor that is worthy of being considered for the NJCAA Men's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Deadline to submit: January 7, 2026
NJCAA Hall of Fame Nomination Form
For more information on the NJCAA Hall of Fame, go to Awards/HOF above and click on Hall of Fame from the dropdown menu!
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions!
Deadline to submit: January 7, 2026
NJCAA Hall of Fame Nomination Form
For more information on the NJCAA Hall of Fame, go to Awards/HOF above and click on Hall of Fame from the dropdown menu!
Please email [email protected] if you have any questions!
Membership Process:
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1 - Login to njcaa.my.site.com/main/s/login
2 - Select "College Profile Management" in the top bar 3 - Select "Submit Coaches Association Form" on the right hand side 4 - Choose your preferred payment method. 5 - Select "Men's Basketball" from the list of options. 6 - Enter Payment Information 7 - Click Submit |
Contact the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association to ensure you are a member!
Call: 515.460.8081 or Email: [email protected] Must be a member to be eligible to: Participate in NJCAA Rising Stars Event Participate in NJCAA All-Star Game Eligible to vote for Committee Members |
Sandquist Named Interim President of NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - NJCAA Men’s Basketball Coaches Association President Brian Hoberecht has stepped down from his role and Kirkwood Community College head coach Tim Sandquist will take over the leadership role.
Sandquist, who has built on Kirkwood’s legacy as one of the top programs in NJCAA Division II, will serve as interim president, after serving as the vice president last season, for the 2025-26 season. He will begin his two-year term in 2026-27.
“I am honored to step in and serve as president on an interim basis this upcoming year,” Sandquist said. “First, I want to thank Coach Hoberecht for his service to the NJCAA and the leadership he provided during his time on the committee. He was always about doing what’s best for our student-athletes and coaches.”
Sandquist has deep coaching roots in the junior college ranks. Last season, he guided Kirkwood to its fourth NJCAA Division II national title — the first of his career as a head coach -- while in turn winning NABC & NJCAA Coach of the Year honors.
Before arriving at Kirkwood, he led Rock Valley College (Ill.) to a national runner-up finish in 2019, earning Region IV and District 2 Coach of the Year honors. He also served on staffs at Northwest Kansas Technical College, Dodge City Community College, and Southwestern Community College. An Omaha native, Sandquist began his coaching career at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
“I am looking forward to serving NJCAA Mens' Basketball and building upon our reputation,” Sandquist said. “We have so many talented, qualified, and devoted student-athletes and coaches. Our goal as a committee is to continue to provide them with a rewarding and fulfilling experience — not only by promoting existing opportunities but also by creating new ones for our coaches and players to participate in.”
With the transition, other association members will also move up one position. Pete Norman, formerly of Highland (Ill.), will assume the First Vice President role, with Cord Wright (Northeast Mississippi) and John Bowler (Parkland, Ill.) stepping into the Second and Third Vice President roles, respectively.
The Secretary/Treasurer position is now vacant and will be filled after an application and voting process conducted by the Association later this fall.
Sandquist, who has built on Kirkwood’s legacy as one of the top programs in NJCAA Division II, will serve as interim president, after serving as the vice president last season, for the 2025-26 season. He will begin his two-year term in 2026-27.
“I am honored to step in and serve as president on an interim basis this upcoming year,” Sandquist said. “First, I want to thank Coach Hoberecht for his service to the NJCAA and the leadership he provided during his time on the committee. He was always about doing what’s best for our student-athletes and coaches.”
Sandquist has deep coaching roots in the junior college ranks. Last season, he guided Kirkwood to its fourth NJCAA Division II national title — the first of his career as a head coach -- while in turn winning NABC & NJCAA Coach of the Year honors.
Before arriving at Kirkwood, he led Rock Valley College (Ill.) to a national runner-up finish in 2019, earning Region IV and District 2 Coach of the Year honors. He also served on staffs at Northwest Kansas Technical College, Dodge City Community College, and Southwestern Community College. An Omaha native, Sandquist began his coaching career at the University of Nebraska Omaha.
“I am looking forward to serving NJCAA Mens' Basketball and building upon our reputation,” Sandquist said. “We have so many talented, qualified, and devoted student-athletes and coaches. Our goal as a committee is to continue to provide them with a rewarding and fulfilling experience — not only by promoting existing opportunities but also by creating new ones for our coaches and players to participate in.”
With the transition, other association members will also move up one position. Pete Norman, formerly of Highland (Ill.), will assume the First Vice President role, with Cord Wright (Northeast Mississippi) and John Bowler (Parkland, Ill.) stepping into the Second and Third Vice President roles, respectively.
The Secretary/Treasurer position is now vacant and will be filled after an application and voting process conducted by the Association later this fall.
2025 Hall of Fame Class Announced
Charlotte, NC – The NJCAA has announced four honorees to be inducted into the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Three coaches and one student-athlete have been honored. Read below for more information on Kirby Johnson, Jerry Burns, Terry Carroll and Filiberto Rivera.
Kirby Johnson | Coach | Temple (TX)
Kirby Johnson worked for 43 years as a coach at Temple College, 33 of those years he served as head coach of the team. During Johnson's time at Temple, he became #1 in the state of Texas for Division I active coaches at the time of his retirement in May of 2020. He claimed a spot in the top ten for DI active coaches in total wins in the same year. He was crowned as the NJCAA DI National Scoring Champion 12 times while simultaneously winning 20 or more games per season for 25 of the 33 seasons he was in the head coaching position. Under Johnson's leadership, Temple made NJCAA history as they scored the most points in any game with 173. While at Temple, teams scored a total of 102,990 points, averaging out to 101.07 points per game. Overall, Johnson has coached in Texas for 43 years.
Johnson was a member of the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association as well as a member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches for 40 years.
Johnson has been married to Kim Messerschmitt for 41 years and has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. He spends time as a member of Temple Bible Church.
Jerry Burns | Coach | Monroe Community College (NY)
Jerry Burns is in his 33rd year as the head coach of Monroe Community College Men's Basketball. During his time as head coach of the program, Burns has registered an overall record of 745-243. He is described as having an untiring work ethic and the ability to identify with his players and extend his passion for the game. His passion and style of coaching has led him to win 13 Region III titles and six district championships. In 2006-07, Monroe Community College made their way to the National Championship for the first time, finishing runner-up. Before his time at Monroe Community College, Burns worked as an assistant coach for two years at Wagner College, an NCAA Division I program on Staten Island. Burns began his coaching career as an assistant at Region III rival Champlain College in 1986. He spent one year at St. Michael's College, a Division II college in Winooski, VT, before moving to Wagner.
Burns has been named Region III Coach of the Year 10 times, ranging from 1993 to 2024. He has also collected Coach of the Year honors for the Western New York Athletic Conference in 1997 and 2004 and New York State Junior College Coach of the Year in 1994 and 2004. Coach Burns also won the Basketball Times Coach of the Year award in 1994. In 2000, he was inducted into Castleton State's Hall of Fame.
Terry Carroll | Coach | Indian Hills (IA) & Southeastern (IA)
Terry Carroll has been a coach for the NJCAA for 19 years. He spent nine seasons at Indian Hills as the head coach of Men's Basketball. During his time there, he registered an overall record of 269-50, having five 30-win seasons and seven 20-win seasons. Carroll led his team to two National Titles in 1997 and 1998. Having appeared in the National Championship four times, they made it to the Final Four three of those appearances. He earned NJCAA Coach of the Year awards twice. 10 of his 19 years with the NJCAA were spent at Southeastern Community College. He garnered a record of 211-89. Carrol led Southeastern to four National Tournament appearances, making it to the Final Four once. While at Southeastern, Carroll also served as the Athletic Director.
Outside of the NJCAA, Carroll spent six years at the University of Denver, where he earned Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2004-2005. He was a one-time Regular Season Champion and had four straight winning seasons. Carroll also spent time as the Associate Head Coach at Iowa State University for three seasons. He was a part of ISU's most successful two-year run in school history by helping the Cyclones to a 57-11 record, back-to-back Big 12 regular season championships and an Elite Eight berth in 2000.
As an athlete, Carroll played one season at Oklahoma State and three seasons at the University of Northern Iowa.
Filiberto Rivera | Student-Athlete | Southeastern (IA)
Filiberto Rivera played NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball at Southeastern Community College for two years. During his time at Southeastern CC, Rivera became the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year in the 2002-2003 season. In the same year, he earned a spot as 1st Team All American. In 2003, Rivera helped to lead his team to a National Championship Title, earning MVP of the tournament. Rivera was at the helm of his team as he helped bring Southeastern CC to victory in the Region 11 Championship in 2002. From his strong performances and leadership on the court, Rivera earned the David Rowlands NJCAA Student Athlete of the Year award in 2003. After finishing his two years at Southeastern CC, he played at UTEP for two more seasons in 2003-2005.
Rivera's list of accomplishments does not stop there. He won WAC Tournament MVP in 2005, Won 10 medals representing the Puerto Rico National Team and was a three-time champion of BSN (Puerto Rico) in 2006, 2019 and 2023. Rivera played on the National Team for Puerto Rico for 10 years before playing professionally in Europe for six seasons in Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel. Rivera also played professionally in Latin America in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela. Rivera spent time in leadership as he was the Director of Basketball Operations for Gigantes De Carolina in Puerto Rico. Basketball Program Coordinator of High School Fountain College.
Not only filling the role as a leader and captain for his team, Rivera was a role model on campus as well. An instrumental part in leading the basketball program at Southeastern CC, Rivera was a key piece to the success in developing relationships in Latin America for recruiting.
Kirby Johnson | Coach | Temple (TX)
Kirby Johnson worked for 43 years as a coach at Temple College, 33 of those years he served as head coach of the team. During Johnson's time at Temple, he became #1 in the state of Texas for Division I active coaches at the time of his retirement in May of 2020. He claimed a spot in the top ten for DI active coaches in total wins in the same year. He was crowned as the NJCAA DI National Scoring Champion 12 times while simultaneously winning 20 or more games per season for 25 of the 33 seasons he was in the head coaching position. Under Johnson's leadership, Temple made NJCAA history as they scored the most points in any game with 173. While at Temple, teams scored a total of 102,990 points, averaging out to 101.07 points per game. Overall, Johnson has coached in Texas for 43 years.
Johnson was a member of the NJCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Association as well as a member of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches for 40 years.
Johnson has been married to Kim Messerschmitt for 41 years and has 4 children and 8 grandchildren. He spends time as a member of Temple Bible Church.
Jerry Burns | Coach | Monroe Community College (NY)
Jerry Burns is in his 33rd year as the head coach of Monroe Community College Men's Basketball. During his time as head coach of the program, Burns has registered an overall record of 745-243. He is described as having an untiring work ethic and the ability to identify with his players and extend his passion for the game. His passion and style of coaching has led him to win 13 Region III titles and six district championships. In 2006-07, Monroe Community College made their way to the National Championship for the first time, finishing runner-up. Before his time at Monroe Community College, Burns worked as an assistant coach for two years at Wagner College, an NCAA Division I program on Staten Island. Burns began his coaching career as an assistant at Region III rival Champlain College in 1986. He spent one year at St. Michael's College, a Division II college in Winooski, VT, before moving to Wagner.
Burns has been named Region III Coach of the Year 10 times, ranging from 1993 to 2024. He has also collected Coach of the Year honors for the Western New York Athletic Conference in 1997 and 2004 and New York State Junior College Coach of the Year in 1994 and 2004. Coach Burns also won the Basketball Times Coach of the Year award in 1994. In 2000, he was inducted into Castleton State's Hall of Fame.
Terry Carroll | Coach | Indian Hills (IA) & Southeastern (IA)
Terry Carroll has been a coach for the NJCAA for 19 years. He spent nine seasons at Indian Hills as the head coach of Men's Basketball. During his time there, he registered an overall record of 269-50, having five 30-win seasons and seven 20-win seasons. Carroll led his team to two National Titles in 1997 and 1998. Having appeared in the National Championship four times, they made it to the Final Four three of those appearances. He earned NJCAA Coach of the Year awards twice. 10 of his 19 years with the NJCAA were spent at Southeastern Community College. He garnered a record of 211-89. Carrol led Southeastern to four National Tournament appearances, making it to the Final Four once. While at Southeastern, Carroll also served as the Athletic Director.
Outside of the NJCAA, Carroll spent six years at the University of Denver, where he earned Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2004-2005. He was a one-time Regular Season Champion and had four straight winning seasons. Carroll also spent time as the Associate Head Coach at Iowa State University for three seasons. He was a part of ISU's most successful two-year run in school history by helping the Cyclones to a 57-11 record, back-to-back Big 12 regular season championships and an Elite Eight berth in 2000.
As an athlete, Carroll played one season at Oklahoma State and three seasons at the University of Northern Iowa.
Filiberto Rivera | Student-Athlete | Southeastern (IA)
Filiberto Rivera played NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball at Southeastern Community College for two years. During his time at Southeastern CC, Rivera became the NJCAA Division I Player of the Year in the 2002-2003 season. In the same year, he earned a spot as 1st Team All American. In 2003, Rivera helped to lead his team to a National Championship Title, earning MVP of the tournament. Rivera was at the helm of his team as he helped bring Southeastern CC to victory in the Region 11 Championship in 2002. From his strong performances and leadership on the court, Rivera earned the David Rowlands NJCAA Student Athlete of the Year award in 2003. After finishing his two years at Southeastern CC, he played at UTEP for two more seasons in 2003-2005.
Rivera's list of accomplishments does not stop there. He won WAC Tournament MVP in 2005, Won 10 medals representing the Puerto Rico National Team and was a three-time champion of BSN (Puerto Rico) in 2006, 2019 and 2023. Rivera played on the National Team for Puerto Rico for 10 years before playing professionally in Europe for six seasons in Germany, Italy, Greece and Israel. Rivera also played professionally in Latin America in the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Venezuela. Rivera spent time in leadership as he was the Director of Basketball Operations for Gigantes De Carolina in Puerto Rico. Basketball Program Coordinator of High School Fountain College.
Not only filling the role as a leader and captain for his team, Rivera was a role model on campus as well. An instrumental part in leading the basketball program at Southeastern CC, Rivera was a key piece to the success in developing relationships in Latin America for recruiting.
2025-26 NJCAA Rankings |
2025-26 National Tournaments |
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Services Provided by the NJCAA Coaches Association:
- NJCAA All-Star Game
- Features top 24 sophomores and 3 championship coaches in showcase in Las Vegas in part with NABC Championship Clinic
- Provide housing, apparel and meals for players and coaches.
- Hall of Fame
- Select 3-6 NJCAA Hall of Fame inductees annually.
- Recognized at NJCAA All-Star Game, National Tournament or Other Event
- Pay for Rings, Plaques, Travel/Lodging at Induction Site
- June Scholastic Recruiting Event
- Helped develop legislation for the June Scholastic Recruiting Event series.
- Provides opportunity for evaluation during the NCAA's summer recruiting period.
- Promoted by Coaches Association.
- Facilitate opportunities to speak at NABC Championship Clinics, Culture in Coach Series and other events.
- Provide Coach and Player of the Year awards for Division I, II & III.
- Fill a seat on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
- Provide a voice to the NJCAA Board of Directors and national office on issues pertaining to the student-athletes and coaches.
- Provide a coach for USA Basketball trials.
- Assist with NJCAA All-American selections.
- Operate website at www.jcbca.com.