KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Two former Pittsburg State University legends – men's basketball coach Gene Iba and women's basketball player Jenni (Miller) Croy – were inducted into the MIAA Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Monday (June 3).
The Pitt State duo was joined by the University of Central Missouri's Erin Alewine (women's track & field, 2010-14) and Brent Vogel (men's track & field, 2009-13), Emporia State University's Melissa Stevens (softball, 2003-06) and Michelle (Stueve) Corpening (women's basketball, 2004-08), Missouri University of Science & Technology's Bill Jolley (men's basketball, 1989-93), Missouri Southern State University's Jessica Selby-Tallman (women's track & field, 2004-09), Northwest Missouri State University's Bob Sundell (men's basketball, men's track & field, 1986-89), Washburn University's Nikki Olberding-Greenwalt (women's basketball, 1994-98) and William Jewell College's O.K. "Dimp" Evans (1971-20) representing the Legacy category.
Clarence "Gene" Iba, Men's Basketball Coach, 1996-2010
Gene Iba led the resurgence of the Pittsburg State men's basketball program during a decorated 15-year tenure as the Gorillas head coach (1996-2010). He led the Gorillas to the school's first NCAA National Tournament appearance in 1997 – reaching the NCAA Sweet 16 – and five overall berths in the national tournament (1997, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2007). Iba also led the Gorillas to their first MIAA regular season title and to a No. 1 national ranking in 1999, earning MIAA Coach of the Year honor that year. His squads compiled 72 victories in a three-year span between 1997 and 1999, the best three-year win total in program history. In all, Iba compiled a 261-172 (.603) record at PSU and amassed a 487-374 (.566) overall record including coaching stints at Houston Baptist (1978-85) and Baylor (1986-92).
Jenni (Miller) Croy, Women's Basketball, 1994-97
Jenni (Miller) Croy completed a decorated four-year basketball career with 364 3-point field goals – the second-highest total in the history of the NCAA women's game at the time. Her average of 3.28 3-pointers per game, 364 in 111 career games, stood as the best average of any four-year player in the history of the women's game at the time. Miller garnered honorable mention NCAA Division II All-America honors from DII Bulletin as a senior in 1997, when she averaged 17.8 points per game. She finished her collegiate career as a four-time All-MIAA performer, earning first-team All-MIAA honors as a senior in 1997. Miller also eclipsed the PSU scoring record during her senior season, finishing her career with 1,809 points (16.3 ppg). She helped the Gorilla capture an MIAA regular season title in 1996 and make two appearances in the NCAA Division II National Tournament in 1995 and 1997. Following her senior season in 1997, she was selected as one of eight competitors in the 1997 NCAA Women's National 3-Point Shootout at Indianapolis.
