Lambert recieves assembley honor for having “fun”
If the satisfaction of the remarkable accomplishment of reaching 600 wins wasn’t enough for Coach Randy Lambert, being honored in Nashville by Senator Doug Overbey for his efforts and success was clearly a humbling experience.
“I just want to thank all of you for this opportunity,” Lambert said to the assembly. “It is very nice and very humbling to stand before you.”
Also in attendance in Nashville was MC president Dr. Tom Bogart. Having the support of MC’s leader and icon obviously meant a lot to Coach Lambert.
“I was happy to share the experience with Dr. Bogart,” Lambert said. “He didn’t have to come. It speaks highly of the type of president that he is and how involved he is in every aspect of our campus.”
Coach Lambert is only the 10th basketball coach in Division III history to reach 600 wins, and only the fifth to do it for his alma mater.
However, anyone who is familiar with MC basketball can confirm that Coach Lambert’s success goes far beyond wins and conference championships.
“Coach Lambert’s long history at the college is full of not only wins on the court, but wins off the court, as he has helped young men and young women in his role of athletic director for many years develop to the best of their potential,” said Bogart, who addressed the state Senate. “It is wholly fitting for this body to recognize him today. I am proud to be here to be part of it.”
When Lambert is asked where he ranks this accomplishment among the rest of his illustrious career, it is clear that the coach realizes that there are many other people to credit for this achievement.
“Six hundred wins is more of an accomplishment of our program rather than a personal milestone,” Lambert said. “There have been a lot of good players and several outstanding assistant coaches that have made serious contributions over the years.
It is this humble and grateful personality that has rubbed off on so many MC basketball players, assistant coaches, students and anyone else who has had the privilege to be around Coach Lambert.
Six hundred wins and 32 years after beginning his head coaching career, Lambert shows no signs of slowing down, especially when one brings up the number 700.
“If I averaged 20 wins a season, it would take me five more years to get to 700,” Lambert said. “I hope we can make it by then. Moving into the new conference will present some new challenges.”
One can only hope that Lambert blesses MC with five more exciting years of basketball.
As difficult as it probably was to sum up all 32 years and 600 wins in one word, Coach Lambert simply referred to his amazing coaching career as “fun.”
MC will be excited to find out what else Lambert will accomplish before the end of his “fun” career.