| Mike Neer's Yellowjackets won 563 games, including
the 1990 Division III national championship. Rochester athletics photo |
Mike Neer, longtime men's basketball coach at the University of Rochester, has announced he will retire from his position effective at the end of the academic year. Neer coached the Yellowjackets for 34 seasons, from 1976-77 to 2009-10. He retires with a career record of 563-326 (.633).
"It has been an honor and a privilege to lead teams representing the University of Rochester," said Neer. "I am proud of our teams' many accomplishments and of the manner in which we've competed.
"It has been equally gratifying to see our players continue their success in their personal and professional lives. In addition to these players, I want to express my appreciation and thanks to the countless administrators, faculty, and athletics department colleagues with whom I've worked since 1976."
As a team, the Yellowjackets have been honored four times with the Sam Schoenfeld Award from the Western New York chapter of the College Basketball Officials Association. The Schoenfeld award is presented annually to a college for outstanding sportsmanship.
"I want to thank Mike for his 34 years of service to the university and our students," said athletic director George VanderZwaag. "He is a true coaching legend and his legacy at Rochester will endure."
| Neer in Top 10 in wins The 10 winningest active Division III coaches, end of 2009-10 season. |
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| 1. Glenn Robinson, F&M | 782-296 | .725 |
| 2. Jim Smith, St. John's | 713-499 | .588 |
| 3. Glenn Van Wieren, Hope | 660-219 | .751 |
| 4. Dick Reynolds, Otterbein | 631-396 | .614 |
| 5. Dick Whitmore, Colby | 626-328 | .656 |
| 6. Steve Moore, Wooster | 625-191 | .766 |
| 7. David Hixon, Amherst | 612-244 | .715 |
| 8. Randy Lambert, Maryville (Tenn.) | 568-237 | .706 |
| 9. Mike Neer, Rochester | 563-326 | .633 |
| 10. Steve Fritz, St. Thomas | 562-245 | .696 |
"Mike Neer's coaching record at Rochester has been truly remarkable," said university president Joel Seligman. "We wish him all the best in his retirement."
Under Neer's direction, Rochester played in the Division III NCAA Tournament 12 times. The Yellowjackets won the 1989-90 national championship, defeating DePauw, 43-42. Rochester reached the Division III Final Four on three other occasions -- 1992, 2002, 2005 -- and played in two championship games (1992, 2005).
Rochester reached the Sweet 16 round three other times (2003, 2004, 2008) and the Elite 8 one other time (1991). Neer's record in the NCAA Division III tournament is 25-11 (69.4%). It is among the top 10 winning percentages in Division III tournament history.
Neer coached Rochester to four consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, from 2002-05, to a combined record of 97-17, the best four-year mark in program history. Two of those teams reached the Final Four. The Class of 2005 was the first to post four consecutive winning seasons (24-6, 23-4, 25-2, 25-5) as well as the first class to advance to the tournament every year. His 2007-08 team enjoyed a six-week run as the nation's top-ranked team.