FORT LAUDERDALE — He won at a rate few, if any, coaches do. He also had his program on cruise control, winning 30 games per season and making annual national tournament runs.

After rescuing the West Liberty University men’s program from the scrap heap and elevating it to magnificent heights, Jim Crutchfield was ready for a new challenge.

Crutchfield shocked many last spring when, after 13 marvelous campaigns of guiding the Hilltoppers, he accepted the head coaching position at D-II Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale.

He compiled a remarkable 359-61 record at West Liberty. That translates into an .855 winning percentage, highest in college basketball history.

His teams won 20-plus games every season and more than 30 on five occasions, including leading the Hilltoppers to the national title game in 2014. He was named the national Division II Coach of the Year twice.

The Clarksburg native’s remarkable resume at WLU takes on additional luster when you factor in he inherited a 4-23 outfit on the hilltop.

“It was one of the hardest things I have ever done,” Crutchfield said in reference to leaving West Liberty. “It was hard to leave the players. You grow close to your players and the school over time. But I told myself that I wasn’t going to do this (coach) forever and I new the end was coming soon.

“So when the opportunity to do something again and try to rebuild another program, the time was right,” he added. “But I do miss West Liberty a lot. It is a special place.”

Nova Southeastern won its opener Nov. 10, downing Florida National by a 116-92 count. This past Wednesday the Sharks defeated Lynn, 87-81.

“It’s nice to win your opener. The team did a lot of good things,” Crutchfield said. “But we are far from where we want to be.”

Nova Southeastern struggled to a 6-20 record last season, going 3-17 in the Sunshine State Conference. The Sharks were picked to finish last in the conference this season.

Obviously, Crutchfield is again quickly working his renaissance magic.

“It has been interesting so far. For the most part, it has been good. I was looking for an adventure. It’s been quite an adventure,” Crutchfield said. “The move here has helped to re-charge my coaching batteries. It’s been a shot-in-the-arm for me.

“I am really enjoying it. We are trying to change the culture for the team and program like we did at West Liberty,” he noted. “It is a challenge for me to see if I can do it again…to see if it is possible again.”

Upon arriving at Fort Lauderdale, the former Cameron High boys’ hoop boss inherited eight holdover players and four incoming frosh. In addition to lacking prime-time talent, Crutchfield was needing to change the team’s losing psyche.

“The team knew they were 6-20 and picked to finish last again in the conference. But they were eager to learn. I was pushing pretty hard early on, but at the same time I had to be a little more patient than usual since I was unfamiliar with the players,” Crutchfield said. “In the opener our top three scorers were freshmen. They are going to be impact players.

“My expectations are not to finish last in the conference and every day get closer to the top,” he added. “I go into every game thinking that we can win. But I also realize that I must stay patient because it will take a while for us to hit stride.”

Help is on the way. Crutchfield has signed two players for next season.

“They are both 6-5 and very versatile. They can pass and shoot and they fit my style,” Crutchfield said.

His style is fast-paced basketball, putting together a team that can pressure baseline to baseline, run the floor, hit the open man, drain the trey while playing unselfishly.

“I like playing up-tempo. My first year at West Liberty there were no expectations. So we went outside the box and implemented that style. The players bought in and we were able to win a lot of close games that first year,” Crutchfield said. “I felt after that first season that we had turned things around. But never in my wildest dreams did I see all that winning coming down the line.”

MINGO GREAT

JOE FORTUNATO died last week at age 87, and his death yielded little media stir. But the Mingo High grad was one of the premier prep football players in Ohio Valley history who went onto stardom in the collegiate and pro ranks, helping the Chicago Bears to the 1963 NFL title.

After graduating from Mingo in 1948, Fortunato was a two-way (fullback-linebacker) at Mississippi State, earning honorable mention All-American honors as a senior. He was inducted into the Mississippi State football Ring of Honor last month.

He was drafted in the seventh round by the Bears, but played one season in the Canadian League before signing with Chicago. He started at linebacker for 12 seasons (1955-1966) with Bears. Fortunato was named first team All-Pro three times along with being selected for the Pro Bowl on five occasions. He had 16 career interceptions and 22 fumble recoveries while being selected to the NFL?s All-Decade Team for the 1950s.

At Mingo High, he garnered nine letters in three sports (football, basketball and baseball). Fortunato was an All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference performer as a football and basketball for the Indians.

BUBBA’S BITS

JOHN MARSHALL grad Kristin Lewicki has helped the Buffalo Beauts get off to a 2-1 start in the National Women’s Hockey League. The former Adrian College All-American and national player of the year has one assist and four shots on goal so far.

MOUNT UNION chalked up another perfect regular season this fall. One of the Purple Raiders stars is Charlie Dear. The Massillon Jackson product is a two-time all-conference linebacker with local roots. His mother, Lari Moffo, is a Tiltonsville native and former St. John Central track standout.

KENTUCKY IS quietly having a successful football season. A big reason is Benny Snell Jr. The sophomore running back is the third leading rusher in the SEC. Snell played his high school football for John Magistro at Westerville Central. He set a freshman Kentucky record with 1,091 rushing yards last season.

THE WVU football tandem of Brendan Ferns and Colton McKivitz gained Academic All-Big 12 honors last week. Ferns, former St. Clairsville High great, was a first-team honoree while McKivitz, who starred at Union Local, was a second team selection.

WE SEND our prayers and condolences to the family of Bill Pahl. The Bridgeport resident died Nov. 9. Bill was a dedicated Bridgeport Bulldog Booster who served as timekeeper for 30 years for the Bridgeport High basketball program, earning him the OVAC’s Thomas Rataiczak Scorekeeper/Timekeeper Award. Bill was a true gentleman and a great ambassador for the Bulldogs.

FORMER BRIDGEPORT High hoop great Caitlyn Kroll had a huge game for St. Francis Friday. The redshirt freshman delivered 16 points and 10 rebounds but it wasn’t enough as the Red Flash lost to Southeast Missouri State, 82-50.