Andrew Pace
Lamar University's basketball team, the Cardinals, compete in NCAA Division I. The Cardinals have had 12 coaches since becoming a senior college in 1951, with Jack Martin serving as the first and longest-serving head coach. In 1964, Lamar University began its transition to Division I and the Southland Conference. The Cardinals have had success in men's and women's basketball, with the men's team achieving 14 conference wins in the 2024-25 season and the women's team being nationally ranked in recent seasons.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basketball Team Name | Lamar Cardinals |
| Basketball Team's Home | McDonald Gymnasium |
| Basketball Court | Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center |
| Division | NCAA Division I |
| Conference | Southland Conference |
| Head Coach | Alvin Brooks |
| First Head Coach | Jack Martin |
| Longest-serving Head Coach | Jack Martin |
| Number of Coaches Since 1951 | 12 |
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What You'll Learn
Lamar University's basketball team, the Cardinals, play in NCAA Division I
In 1964, Lamar transitioned to Division I and the Southland Conference. Martin's Cardinals won the Lone Star Conference title three seasons and the Southland Conference title two seasons. They also competed in five NCAA College Division (now NCAA Division II) tournaments. The highlight of Martin's career was the 1968-1969 squad, which earned a #1 national ranking in the Associated Press college division poll.
The Cardinals have had some notable achievements in recent years as well. In the 2023-24 season, they replaced the court and installed a new state-of-the-art videoboard. In the 2024-25 season, the men's basketball team set a school record with 14 conference wins. The team also had a successful season under interim head coach Tic Price in 2014, improving their record from 4-26 to 15-15. The current head coach is Alvin Brooks.
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The Cardinals have had 12 coaches since 1951
The Lamar Cardinals basketball team has had 12 coaches since it became a senior college (four-year institution) in 1951. Jack Martin was the first head coach, and the longest-serving in Lamar's history. Martin began coaching the Cardinals as they entered the college division Lone Star Conference in 1951. He had previously coached at his alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University, for three seasons. Under Martin, the Cardinals won the Lone Star Conference title three times, the Southland Conference title twice, and competed in five NCAA College Division (now NCAA Division II) tournaments.
Martin was replaced by Billy Tubbs, one of his former players and assistant coaches, after the 1975-76 season. Tubbs had played for Martin from 1955 to 1957 and later became the first player or student to return and coach Lamar Basketball. During his time as head coach, Tubbs recruited several players who were drafted into the NBA, including Mike Olliver, who became an all-American for Lamar. Tubbs left the Cardinals after the 1979-80 season to take a job as head basketball coach at Oklahoma.
Since then, the Cardinals have had several other notable coaches, including Grey Giovanine (1993-1999), Mike Deane (1999-2003), and Billy Tubbs' second stint as head coach from 2003 to 2006. In 2014, Tic Price was named the Cardinals' eleventh head basketball coach. In his first full season, the Cardinals had the 11th best turnaround in NCAA Division I men's basketball, improving their record from 4-26 to 15-15. As of April 2021, the current head coach of the Lamar Cardinals is Alvin Brooks, who replaced Price after he was fired following the 2020-21 season.
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Jack Martin was the first coach and the longest-serving
The Lamar Cardinals basketball team represents Lamar University in NCAA Division I men's basketball. The team currently plays in the Southland Conference, having returned from the Western Athletic Conference in 2022.
Jack Martin was the first head basketball coach for Lamar University when it became a four-year college in 1951. He was also the longest-serving coach in the team's history. Martin began coaching the Cardinals as they entered the college division Lone Star Conference, winning the conference title three seasons in a row. Before joining Lamar, Martin had coached for three seasons at his alma mater, Hardin-Simmons University.
Martin's most notable achievement was the 1968-1969 squad that earned a #1 national ranking in the Associated Press college division poll. That year, the Cardinals won their first 15 games of the season against strong competition, including a victory over sixth-ranked University of Tulsa. Martin led the Cardinals to the Southland Conference title twice and competed in five NCAA College Division (now NCAA Division II) tournaments. He was named Southland Conference Coach of the Year in 1969 and 1970.
After the 1975-1976 season, Martin was replaced by his former player and assistant coach, Billy Tubbs. Martin's replacement, Tubbs, began an 80-game home court winning streak, the seventh-longest in NCAA history. The current coach of the Lamar University men's basketball team is Alvin Brooks, who signed a three-year extension in 2025.
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The Cardinals have won championships in basketball
The Lamar Cardinals basketball team has a rich history in the NCAA Division I, with the team's first head coach, Jack Martin, leading them into the college division Lone Star Conference in 1951. Under Martin's leadership, the Cardinals won the Lone Star Conference title three times and the Southland Conference title twice. They also competed in five NCAA College Division (now NCAA Division II) tournaments.
Martin's most notable squad was the 1968-1969 team, which earned a #1 national ranking in the Associated Press college division poll. This team won its first 15 games of the season, including impressive victories against strong opponents such as Memphis State and Southwest Conference champion Texas A&M.
In 1964, Lamar University began its transition to Division I and the Southland Conference. The Cardinals have continued to excel in this division, with men's basketball having a standout season in 2024-25, setting a school record with 14 conference wins.
The Cardinals have had notable success in recent years as well. In the 2023-24 season, they installed a new court and state-of-the-art videoboard, enhancing the game-day experience. The men's basketball team had a strong 20-win season, reaching the Southland Championship game, their best performance since 2008.
The Cardinals' basketball programme has a proud history of winning championships and developing successful athletes, with four players making it to the NBA and ten being picked in the NBA draft.
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The team plays at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena
The Lamar Cardinals basketball team, representing Lamar University, plays in NCAA Division I. The team plays at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center, a multi-purpose facility.
The Cardinals basketball team has a rich history, with 12 coaches since the university became a four-year institution in 1951. Jack Martin was the first and longest-serving head coach, guiding the team to success in the college division Lone Star Conference. The team won the Lone Star Conference title three times and the Southland Conference title twice under his leadership.
In 1964, Lamar University began its transition to Division I and the Southland Conference. The Cardinals have continued to excel, with men's basketball recording a 20-win season and a trip to the Southland Championship game in recent years. The team's home venue, the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena, is a modern and versatile facility that supports the team's success.
The Neches Federal Credit Union Arena is part of the Montagne Center and provides a state-of-the-art environment for the basketball team. The arena is a key component of Lamar University's athletic facilities, which are considered some of the finest in the region. The multi-purpose nature of the arena allows for flexibility in hosting various sporting events and competitions.
The Cardinals basketball team benefits from this world-class facility, which offers a range of amenities and services to support the athletes' performance. The arena is a testament to the university's commitment to providing the best resources for its sports teams, contributing to their success on the court.
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Frequently asked questions
Lamar University's basketball team, the Cardinals, plays in NCAA Division I.
The Cardinals are part of the Southland Conference.
The Cardinals play their home games at the Neches Federal Credit Union Arena at the Montagne Center.
Alvin Brooks is the current coach of the Cardinals.
The Cardinals have had a successful history, winning championships in sports such as football, baseball, men's and women's basketball, soccer, golf, and cross country. They have also had four players go on to play in the NBA.
