Now entering his 13^th season as head coach of the Cougars, Ryan Cottingham has built a highly competitive and successful program both on and off the court. Cotttingham has guided Spring Arbor to at least 20 wins in six of the last seven years.

The Cougars have been equally impressive in the classroom as they were again recognized by the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with the Scholar Team Award. SAU posted a 3.31 grade point average meeting the required 3.25 GPA.

On the individual level, Spring Arbor has had 19 athletes earn Academic All-America accolades during Cottingham's tenure.

In 2010-11, the Cougars finished 20-15 overall and were 9-7 in the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC), finishing tied for fourth. Spring Arbor would go on to earn runner-up in the National Christian College Athletics Association (NCCAA) national tournament. Forward Willie Pickvet was voted MCC Defensive Player of the Year as well as All-MCC First Team. Guard DJ Baisden completed his career as the school's 10^th all-time leading scorer with 1,773 points while being recognized as a two-time All-MCC performer. He was also a two-time NAIA All-American Honorable Mention selection.

Upon completion of the 2009-10 campaign Cottingham was recognized as the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) Men's Basketball College Coach of the Year. He was also named the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) Coach of the Year. Cottingham guided the Cougars to a 23-11 record and a spot in the sweet sixteen of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national tournament. It was Spring Arbor's first trip to the NAIA tourney since 1997.

The first round victory in the NAIA national tournament was win number 200 for Cottingham and it came against legendary coach Rollie Massimino and his Northwood University (FL) Seahawks. Massimino is best known for guiding the Villanova Wildcats to the 1985 NCAA Division I national championship over the Georgetown Hoyas.

Cottingham currently ranks second on the all-time wins list behind Hall of Fame coach Bill Bockwitz who garnered 262 victories in his illustrious career.

Spring Arbor has experienced tremendous success in the NCCAA tournament under Cottingham where they have claimed back-to-back national titles in 2005 and 2006. The Cougars finished runner-up in both 2009 and 2011.

Cottingham trails only Bockwitz in the longevity category at Spring Arbor as the hall of famer roamed the sidelines for a longer period of time (18 years).

Cottingham, 39, started his coaching career as an assistant at Alma College (MI) in 1995 and served in that capacity for three seasons. He was then hired as an assistant by Spring Arbor in the fall of 1998. In 1999 Cottingham was appointed the eighth coach in Cougar basketball history replacing Doug Noll.

Coach Cottingham begins his sixth year as assistant athletic director at Spring Arbor. From 2007-10 he served as the NCCAA national basketball chair and from 2005-07 Cottingham was the national vice chair.

Cottingham received his bachelor's degree in secondary education from SAU in 1994. He went on to earn his master's degree in athletic administration from Central Michigan University in 2000.

As a collegiate athlete Cottingham played guard for SAU from 1992-94, and was voted the team's MVP as a senior. He was also a NAIA All-America Honorable Mention selection that year as well as an NCCAA All-American. Cottingham was a two-year all-conference member while scoring 1,028 points in just two seasons. Prior to his arrival at Spring Arbor Cottingham had two successful two year stint at Kalamazoo Valley Community College where he was an all-conference selection.

A native of Three Rivers, Mich., Cottingham was a three sport standout in football, basketball, and track. He was an all-state basketball player and led his team to a 63-8 record including a 24-2 mark his senior year and a trip to the Class B state semi-final game. A three year first team all-conference and all-area selection Cottingham scored over 1,000 points in his prep career. He was inducted into the Three Rivers High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

Cottingham was born on February 14, 1972. His family includes his wife of 16 years, Christy, thirteen-year-old son, Connor, eleven-year-old daughter, Ryleigh, and nine-year-old son, Trey. Christy is currently a teacher in the Jackson County Western School District.

Longtime basketball coach Creighton Burns has joined the Spring Arbor University men's basketball coaching staff. Burns provides 45 years of coaching experience including 14 years at the collegiate level. Creighton's previous stint in the collegiate ranks was from 2003-05 when he served as the head coach at Ancilla College. Since that time he's been roaming the prep sidelines.

Burns, a Columbia City, Indiana native has made coaching stops in four states including Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan. He has received numerous coaching honors including Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1988.

A lifelong student and teacher of the game, Burns published his first basketball article in 1978 with his most recent publication in March of 2011. For the past several years Creighton has emailed his own newsletters to countless coaches at all levels around the world.

Creighton began coaching in 1958 while he was a high school student. Burns served as the Cromwell Junior High School head coach for two years.

Burns played both basketball and baseball at Purdue University from 1960-64. He then spent three years in the Minnesota Twins organization before an arm injury in 1967 cost him the chance to play in the major leagues. Creighton opted to pursue his basketball coaching career instead of going through a lengthy rehab stint.

Burns earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education in 1964. He minored in Biology and Social Studies. Creighton received his Master's Degree in Secondary Education in 1973 from St. Francis University (IN).

"Creighton brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our program," commented SAU head coach Ryan Cottingham. "He is a great resource for all of us and will undoubtedly have a positive impact in a variety of ways. It's been a joy working with him already."

Brian Snyder begins his 10^th year as an assistant basketball coach at Spring Arbor University and seventh under Cottingham. At age 50 Snyder's energy and passion for the game and the Cougar program continues to grow.

Snyder returned to his alma mater in 1996 under then head coach Doug Noll. Brian left after one season to play semi-professional basketball in Rambioulliett, France and returned to the Cougar sideline in 1998 where he joined Cottingham on staff. Another opportunity to play internationally led Brian to Brighton, England for a year, and then to Swindon, England for a season. Snyder re-joined the Cougar staff for the third time and first under Cottingham in 2004. Snyder also played for UBBC Salzburg in Austria from 1991-93. Besides playing overseas, Snyder coached youth basketball teams during his time in Europe, and has taught at basketball camps in the British Virgin Islands, England, Germany, and Japan. Coach Snyder has an extensive international background, including participating in three Cross Cultural trips to Europe with the Cougar basketball program (1990; 1996; 2004).

Snyder played a significant role in the Cougars winning back-to-back NCCAA National Championships in 2005 and 2006.

An Albion, Mich., native, Snyder was a three year letter winner at Spring Arbor beginning in 1987. He played in 69 career games and scored 776 points while shooting 50% from the field.

Snyder, who spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corps after high school completed his bachelor's degree in Art with an emphasis on Graphic Design in 1991. In May of 2011 Snyder earned his Master of Science degree in Recreation and Sport Sciences with an emphasis in coaching education from Ohio University.

Brian resides in Lansing where he works as a Counselor and Art Teacher at the Ingham County Youth Center. Snyder is a freelance artist, and currently involved in a Mural Arts program for at risk youth in Ingham County, as well as being active in the Lansing art community.

"Coach Snyder plays in integral role in our program. He is an inspiration to our players and coaches," commented Cottingham. "I am so grateful to be able to work with such an amazing person like Brian."

Sam Lunt returns for his second year as a student assistant with the Cougar basketball program. Among his many responsibilities Sam assists with statistics, film exchange, and daily practices.

He is eight years of basketball experience including one season as an assistant coach Sam will help anywhere and everywhere possible. He also played soccer for six years.

The Nunica, MI native earned a 3.6 grade point average in high school and will be majoring in Recreation and Leisure Management at Spring Arbor. Sam's long range plans are to pursue a career in sports.

Back home Lunt was involved with his church in various ministries and also served as the coordinator for Nortonville Gospel Chapel.

"Sam is a phenomenal asset to our program. He is self-motivated, very dependable, and does outstanding work," stated head coach Ryan Cottingham. "We are fortunate to have Sam as a member of our program."

Dr. Joe Kulaga, known only as "Papa Joe" by the men's basketball team, enters his sixth year as the team chaplain. A servant leader, Papa invests many hours into the lives of the players, sharing from his remarkable brings a wealth of wisdom and knowledge from a long career as an educator and Free Methodist pastor.

His credentials come from Taylor University (B.S. in Elementary Education), University of Michigan (M.A., Spec. in ED., Ph.D. in Educational Administration), plus Nyack College (Dipl. in Bible & Theology). His career, spanning over 50 years, includes a long tenure in public education, pastorate, and finally, associate professor/administrator at SAU.

Dr. Kulaga is married to his special friend, Carole (50+ years), has three sons (Mark, Jon, Matthew), eleven grandchildren, & three great grandchildren. His current "hobby/ministry" is leading a Bible study, teaching Sunday School and sharing with the finest group of young men that has ever been his privilege.

"Papa Joe has had a profound impact on our players and coaches. He has invested a tremendous amount of time and energy into all of us," noted head coach Ryan Cottingham. "Papa has helped created a wonderful spiritual climate within our team. We are so blessed to have him as a member of our program and I feel very fortunate to have him as a personal friend and mentor."