Aaron Niven has informed Spring Hill College (SHC) Athletic Director Jim Hall that he will be stepping aside as the Badger men’s basketball head coach after five seasons with the school in order to pursue another professional opportunity that allows him to spend more time with his family.
“It has been a blessing to serve as the men’s basketball coach at Spring Hill College,” Niven said following a meeting with his team on Monday afternoon. “The relationships that I have made while on “The Hill” will be relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life! My family was the main factor in making this decision. We teach our players that we always have to put the interests of the team above ourselves and my main team is my wife and my three kids. I would like to thank Jim Hall for giving me the opportunity to be the head basketball coach here at Spring Hill College.”
Since joining the Badgers in the summer of 2013, Niven piloted the Badgers through the past four seasons of transition from the NAIA to NCAA Division II status while building a highly competitive program on the court and in the classroom. Over the past three seasons, SHC improved from an 8th place finish in the SIAC West Division during the 2015-16 season to a 2nd place finish after the 2016-17 season and a 3rd place finish in 2017-18. Academically, the team GPA has increased from a 2.4 upon his arrival to a 3.1 heading into this spring semester.
Hall thanked Niven for his time and commitment to Badger Basketball during his time on The Hill. “I want to express my sincere appreciation to Aaron for everything he has put into leading our basketball program for the past five seasons,” Hall said. “He took over a team that was struggling both academically and athletically and has turned it into a competitive program that is ready to challenge for an SIAC championship next year when we become full members of NCAA Division II. He has led our program with passion and integrity while investing significantly in the development of our student-athletes academically and personally. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Aaron and wish him and his family the absolute best as they head into this next chapter.”
Niven holds a 48-93 record overall with the Badgers including a 40-52 mark in conference play. Since joining the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) at the start of the 2014-15 season, the Badgers have built a 34-39 record in conference meetings.
During his tenure, Niven placed two student-athletes on SIAC All-Conference rosters, including the 2016 SIAC Freshman of the Year Sawyer Glick and forward Brandon Fischer in 2018. The Badger squad also earned recognition as the SIAC All-Academic Team Champions following the 2015-16 season.
The Badgers will begin a search for a new men’s basketball head coach immediately. SHC is scheduled begin play as a full NCAA division II member this fall.
http://shcbadgers.com/news/2018/4/17/niven-steps-down-from-mens-basketball.aspx
