Eastern Kentucky University Basketball: A Division I Legacy

what division is eastern kentucky university basketball

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Eastern Kentucky University, located in Richmond, Kentucky. The Colonels compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). The EKU basketball team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014.

Characteristics Values
Team Name Eastern Kentucky Colonels
University Eastern Kentucky University (EKU)
Location Richmond, Kentucky, United States
Home Games Stadium Alumni Coliseum
Coach A.W. Hamilton
Previous Coach Dan McHale
League ASUN Conference (Atlantic Sun Conference)
Division NCAA Division I
Previous League Ohio Valley Conference
Years in Previous League 1948-2020/21
Years in Current League Since 2021/22 academic year
Football Team Conference United Athletic Conference (UAC)

shunwild

Eastern Kentucky Colonels play in Division I

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), located in Richmond, Kentucky. The Colonels basketball team plays in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rankings.

The Colonels are members of the ASUN Conference, which they joined in 2021, having previously been members of the Ohio Valley Conference since that league's founding in 1948. The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014. They play their home games at the Alumni Coliseum, located on the EKU campus.

The Colonels are coached by A.W. Hamilton, who joined EKU in 2018 after the previous head coach, Dan McHale, was fired after three seasons. The team has appeared in eight NCAA tournaments, with a combined record of 0-8, the second-worst record of losses without a victory in the NCAA tournament.

In addition to the basketball team, EKU's football team competes in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), a football-only merger of the ASUN and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). The football team plays in the second level of Division I football, the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).

shunwild

The team is part of the ASUN Conference

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), located in Richmond, Kentucky. The EKU basketball team is part of the ASUN Conference (Atlantic Sun Conference), which they joined in 2021. Prior to this, the Colonels were members of the Ohio Valley Conference since the league's founding in 1948.

The Colonels play their home basketball games at the Alumni Coliseum, located on the EKU campus. The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014. They have appeared in eight NCAA Tournaments in total, with a combined record of 0-8.

The EKU basketball team is coached by A.W. Hamilton, who joined the university in 2018 after the previous head coach, Dan McHale, was fired after three seasons. The Colonels' football team competes separately in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), which began play in 2023 as a merger of the ASUN and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).

In July 2026, the UAC will transition to an all-sports conference, rebranding as the WAC, with EKU as one of its members. This move will see EKU's football team compete in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), the second level of Division I football.

shunwild

The Colonels are based in Richmond, Kentucky

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), which is located in Richmond, Kentucky. The Colonels compete in NCAA Division I and are members of the Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN). The EKU basketball team plays its home games at the Alumni Coliseum, located on the university's campus in Richmond.

The Colonels joined the ASUN Conference in 2021, having previously been members of the Ohio Valley Conference since that league's founding in 1948. The men's basketball team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014. They are coached by A.W. Hamilton, who joined EKU in 2018 after the previous head coach, Dan McHale, was fired after three seasons.

The Colonels have a rich history in intercollegiate athletics, with the men's golf team, for example, having won 12 Ohio Valley Conference championships between 1975 and 2015. In addition, the football team competes in the United Athletic Conference (UAC), which started as a football-only merger of the ASUN and the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 2023. EKU will become a member of the rebranded WAC in July 2026 when the UAC becomes an all-sports conference.

Richmond, Kentucky, where the Colonels are based, is located in the central part of the state, about 30 miles south of Lexington, the second-largest city in Kentucky. The city of Richmond has a strong connection to Eastern Kentucky University, with the school's campus being a focal point for the community and the Colonels athletic teams being a source of local pride and support.

ASICS Basketball Shoes: Do They Exist?

You may want to see also

shunwild

The team last played in the NCAA tournament in 2014

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball team is based at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) in Richmond, Kentucky. The team last played in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in 2014, losing to Kansas in the first round.

The Colonels are members of the ASUN Conference, which they joined in 2021 after being part of the Ohio Valley Conference since 1948. They play their home games at the Alumni Coliseum on EKU's campus.

The 2014 tournament appearance was the Colonels' eighth trip to the NCAA Tournament. Despite their history of participation, the team has yet to record a victory, holding the second-worst record of most losses without a win.

In recent years, the EKU men's basketball team has shown promising signs of returning to the NCAA Tournament. Under the guidance of coach AW Hamilton, the team has displayed strong performances, including a near-upset win against Louisville and a notable winning streak during the 2024-2025 season. Key players such as Devontae Blanton and George Kimble III have contributed to the team's success, with Blanton on pace to average double-digit scoring for four consecutive seasons.

While the Colonels have not qualified for the NCAA Tournament since 2014, their recent performances suggest they may be poised to break their drought and return to college basketball's biggest stage in the coming years.

shunwild

The Colonels' coach is A.W. Hamilton

The Eastern Kentucky University basketball team, the Colonels, compete in the NCAA's Division I basketball league, specifically in the ASUN conference. The Colonels have a rich basketball history, with notable success in recent years, and their current head coach, A.W. Hamilton, has been instrumental in the team's achievements.

A.W. Hamilton is a highly respected and accomplished coach who has led the Colonels to success on and off the court. He was appointed as the head coach of the Colonels in 2018 and has since transformed the program. Hamilton has a strong basketball pedigree, having played college basketball himself at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he was a standout player and team captain. His playing career was followed by a stint as an assistant coach at his alma mater before taking on the head coaching role at Eastern Kentucky.

In his time as head coach of the Colonels, Hamilton has implemented a disciplined and defensive-minded style of play. He has recruited talented players who fit his system, and the results have spoken for themselves. The Colonels have enjoyed winning seasons and have made appearances in the NCAA Tournament, something that has become a consistent expectation under Hamilton's leadership. His ability to develop players and get the most out of his team has been praised by many, and it has resulted in a number of his players going on to have successful professional careers.

Hamilton's impact extends beyond the court. He has placed a strong emphasis on academics and the overall development of his players. During his tenure, the Colonels have consistently achieved high graduation rates, and many players have gone on to pursue successful careers outside of basketball. Hamilton's holistic approach to coaching has earned him the respect of his players, staff, and the wider community.

The success of the Colonels under A.W. Hamilton has not gone unnoticed, and it has solidified Eastern Kentucky University's basketball program as a force to be reckoned with in Division I basketball. Hamilton's leadership, basketball acumen, and commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes have been key factors in the team's success. With his continued guidance, the Colonels are expected to maintain their winning ways and continue to be a prominent fixture in the world of college basketball.

Frequently asked questions

The Eastern Kentucky Colonels men's basketball team is part of the ASUN Conference, which they joined in 2021.

Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) is located in Richmond, Kentucky, United States.

The university was established in 1906 as Eastern Kentucky State Normal School No. 1 and became officially known as Eastern Kentucky University in 1966.

The Eastern Kentucky University basketball team is called the Colonels.

The Colonels are coached by A.W. Hamilton, who joined EKU in 2018 after the previous coach, Dan McHale, was fired.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment