Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award

The Chuck Taylor Most Valuable Player Award was created to honor the most valuable player of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) men's basketball national tournaments. Established in 1939 and later named as an homage to the Chuck Taylor All-Stars, an iconic basketball shoe in the early 20th century, it has been awarded every year with the exceptions of 1944 due to World War II and 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.^[1] Between the 1991–92 and 2019–20 seasons, the NAIA was split into Division I and Division II.^[2] Each division subsequently held their own national tournament, with MVPs awarded for them respectively.^[2] Starting with the 2020–21 season, the NAIA returned to non-divisional classifications.^[2]

Chuck Taylor MVP Award

Awarded for	The MVP of the NAIA men's national basketball tournament
Country	United States
Presented by	Converse
History
First award	1939
Most recent	Hunter Scurlock, Freed–Hardeman

Chuck Taylor MVPs

 

Gus Doerner, Evansville, 1942

 

Belus Smawley, Appalachian State, 1943

 

Fred Lewis, Eastern Kentucky, 1945

 

Hal Haskins, Hamline, 1949

 

Scotty Steagall, Millikin, 1951

 

Dick Barnett, Tennessee State, 1958 & 1959

 

Charles Hardnett, Grambling State, 1961

 

Zelmo Beaty, Prairie View A&M, 1962

 

Lloyd Free, Guilford, 1973

 

Bayard Forrest, Grand Canyon, 1975

 

Terry Porter, Wisconsin–Stevens Point, 1984

 

Robert Whaley, Walsh, 2005

Non-divisional era (1939–1991, 2021–present)

Year	Most Valuable Player	Team	Reference
1939	Edgar Hinshaw	Southwestern (KS)	^[3]
1940	Mel Waits	Tarkio (MO)	^[3]
1941	Charles Thomas	Northwestern State (LA)	^[3]
1942	Gus Doerner	Evansville (IN)	^[3]
1943	Belus Smawley	Appalachian State (NC)	^[3]
1944	Tournament canceled due to World War II^[3]
1945	Fred Lewis	Eastern Kentucky	^[3]
1946	Gene Stotlar	Southern Illinois	^[3]
1947	Irvin Leifer	Eastern Washington	^[3]
1948	Duane Klueh	Indiana State	^[3]
1949	Hal Haskins	Hamline (MN)	^[3]
1950	Lenny Rzeszewski	Indiana State	^[3]
1951	Scotty Steagall	Millikin (IL)	^[3]
1952	Bennie Purcell	Murray State (KY)	^[3]
1953	Jerry Anderson	Missouri State	^[3]
1954	Jerry Anderson (2)	Missouri State	^[3]
1955	Jim Miller	Texas A&M–Commerce	^[3]
1956	Bill Reigel	McNeese (LA)	^[3]
1957	Jim Spivey	Southeastern Oklahoma State	^[3]
1958	Dick Barnett	Tennessee State	^[3]
1959	Dick Barnett (2)	Tennessee State	^[3]
1960	Charles Sharp	Texas State	^[3]
1961	Charles Hardnett	Grambling State (LA)	^[3]
1962	Zelmo Beaty	Prairie View A&M (TX)	^[3]
1963	Lucious Jackson	UT Rio Grande Valley (TX)	^[3]
1964	Lucious Jackson (2)	UT Rio Grande Valley (TX)	^[3]
1965	Ken Wilburn	Central State (OH)	^[3]
1966	Al Tucker	Oklahoma Baptist	^[3]
1967	Al Tucker (2)	Oklahoma Baptist	^[3]
1968	John Jamerson	Fairmont State (WV)	^[3]
1969	Jake Ford	Maryland Eastern Shore	^[3]
1970	Greg Hyder	Eastern New Mexico	^[3]
1971	Travis Grant	Kentucky State	^[3]
1972	Travis Grant (2)	Kentucky State	^[3]
1973	Lloyd Free	Guilford (NC)	^[3]
1974	Foots Walker	West Georgia	^[3]
1975	Bayard Forrest	Grand Canyon (AZ)	^[3]
1976	Joe Pace	Coppin State (MD)	^[3]
1977	Alonzo Bradley	Texas Southern	^[3]
1978	Tom Ritzdorf	Nebraska–Kearney	^[3]
1979	Lawrence Washington	Drury (MO)	^[3]
1980	LeRoy Jackson	Cameron (OK)	^[3]
1981	George Torres	Southern Nazarene (OK)	^[3]
1982	Mike Gibson	USC Upstate (SC)	^[4]
1983	Stephen Yetman	Charleston (SC)	^[5]
1984	Terry Porter	Wisconsin–Stevens Point	^[6]
1985	Edgar Eason	Fort Hays State (KS)	^[7]
1986	John Kimbrell	Lipscomb (TN)	^[8]
1987	Tom Meier	Washburn (KS)	^[9]
1988	Rodney Johns	Grand Canyon (AZ)	^[10]
1989	Vernell Kemp	East Central (OK)	^[11]
1990	Stacy Butler	Birmingham–Southern (AL)	^[12]
1991	Eric Manuel	Oklahoma City	^[13]
1992– 2020	Split into NAIA Divisions I and II^[2]
2021	James Jones	Shawnee State (OH)	^[14]
2022	Myles Burns	Loyola (LA)	^[15]
2023	Charles Elzie	College of Idaho	^[16]
2024	Hunter Scurlock	Freed–Hardeman (TN)	^[17]

Divisional era (1992–2020)

NAIA Division I Year Most Valuable Player Team Reference 1992 Smokey McCovery Oklahoma City ^[18] 1993 Lemar Young Hawaii Pacific ^[19] 1994 Kevin Franklin Oklahoma City ^[20] 1995 James Cason Birmingham–Southern (AL) ^[21] 1996 Reggie Garrett Oklahoma City ^[22] 1997 James Harris Life (GA) ^[23] 1998 Will Carlton Georgetown (KY) ^[24] 1999 Corey Evans Life (GA) ^[25] 2000 Jimmie Hunter Life (GA) ^[26] 2001 Paul Little Faulkner (AL) ^[27] 2002 Michael Williamson USAO (OK) ^[28] 2003 Raynardo Curry Mountain State (WV) ^[29] 2004 Zach Moss Mountain State (WV) ^[30] 2005 Brandon Cole John Brown (AR) ^[31] 2006 Evan Patterson Texas Wesleyan ^[32] 2007 Kameron Gray Oklahoma City ^[33] 2008 Kameron Gray (2) Oklahoma City ^[33] 2009 Devin Uskoski Rocky Mountain (MT) ^[34] 2010 Nate Brumfield Oklahoma Baptist ^[35] 2011 Trevor Setty Pikeville (KY) ^[36] 2012 Cameron Gliddon Concordia (CA) ^[37] 2013 Monty Wilson Georgetown (KY) ^[38] 2014 Preston Wynne Vanguard (CA) ^[39] 2015 Jordan Bowling Dalton State (GA) ^[40] 2016 Devonse Reed Mid-America Christian (OK) ^[41] 2017 Dion Rogers Texas Wesleyan ^[42] 2018 LT Davis Graceland (MO) ^[43] 2019 Chris Coffey Georgetown (KY) ^[44] 2020 Tournament canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic^[1]

NAIA Division II Year Most Valuable Player Team Reference 1992 David James Grace (IN) ^[45] 1993 Mike Ward Willamette (OR) ^[46] 1994 Chris Peterson Eureka (IL) ^[47] 1995 Mark Galloway Bethel (IN) ^[48] 1996 Damon Archibald College of Idaho ^[49] 1997 Rico Swanson Bethel (IN) ^[50] 1998 Rico Swanson (2) Bethel (IN) ^[50] 1999 Mike Long Cornerstone (MI) ^[51] 2000 Jason Cruse Embry–Riddle (FL) ^[52] 2001 Brandon Woudstra Northwestern (IA) ^[53] 2002 Daniel Cutbirth Evangel (MO) ^[54] 2003 Brandon Woudstra (2) Northwestern (IA) ^[55] 2004 Kevin Baker Oregon Tech ^[56] 2005 Robert Whaley Walsh (OH) ^[57] 2006 Michael Bonaparte College of the Ozarks (MO) ^[58] 2007 Adam Hepker MidAmerica Nazarene (KS) ^[59] 2008 Ryan Fiegi Oregon Tech ^[60] 2009 Steve Briggs Oklahoma Wesleyan ^[61] 2010 DeJovaun Sawyer-Davis Saint Francis (IN) ^[62] 2011 Caleb Simons Cornerstone (MI) ^[63] 2012 Bobby Hunter Oregon Tech ^[64] 2013 Darren Moore Cardinal Stritch (WI) ^[65] 2014 Jordan Weidner Indiana Wesleyan ^[66] 2015 Kyle Steigenga Cornerstone (MI) ^[67] 2016 Jonny Marlin Indiana Wesleyan ^[68] 2017 Paul Stone Union (KY) ^[69] 2018 Kyle Mangas Indiana Wesleyan ^[70] 2019 Paul Marandet Spring Arbor (MI) ^[71] 2020 Tournament canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic^[1]

See also

• NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player – the equivalent award in NCAA Division I tournaments

References

1. Savage, Tom (March 25, 2020). "'I loved it all the way' – DWU basketball season ends abruptly with NAIA tournament cancellation". Dell Rapids Tribune. Dell Rapids, South Dakota. p. A1. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "NAIA to Combine Basketball Divisions". NAIA press release. Kansas City, Missouri. April 16, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
3. "45th Annual Men's National Basketball Tournament" (PDF). 1982 Tournament Official Program. Kansas City, Missouri: NAIA. March 8, 1982. p. 19. Retrieved January 6, 2024. Chuck Taylor Award Most Valuable Players
4. Tamaya, Steve (March 18, 1982). "'A Near-Perfect Season'". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. 224. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Moniz, Dave (March 10, 1983). "Central Wesleyan gags on Charleston's big apple". Columbia Record. Columbia, South Carolina. p. 52. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Mav star earns NAIA honorable mention". Grand Junction Daily Sentinel. Grand Junction, Colorado. March 29, 1984. p. 25. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Corbitt, Ken (March 21, 1985). "Tigers display resiliency, resourcefulness". Salina Journal. Salina, Kansas. p. 13. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Kimbrell's 22 Gives Title To Lipscomb". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. March 19, 1986. p. 35. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "CWU finishes third, sets team record for wins". Kitsap Sun. Bremerton, Washington. March 18, 1987. p. 26. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Grand Canyon wins NAIA title". The Bellingham Herald. Bellingham, Washington. March 23, 1988. p. 21. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "St. Mary's of Texas wins NAIA title". Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. March 21, 1989. p. 13. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
12. Dowd, Mike (March 21, 1990). "NABC picks Hancock as All-American". Bangor Daily News. Bangor, Maine. p. 22. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Tucker, Doug (March 19, 1991). "NCAA outcast becomes MVP in NAIA". Kenosha News. Kenosha, Wisconsin. p. 19. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "The Shawnee State Men's Basketball team are NAIA National Champions!". Shawnee.edu. Shawnee State University. March 24, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
15. "Men's basketball – NAIA championship". Sun Herald. Biloxi, Mississippi. March 24, 2022. p. B4. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "College of Idaho Survives Late Comeback Bid to take 2023 Red Banner". NAIA.org. NAIA. March 18, 2023. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
17. Thomas, David (March 27, 2024). "Freed-Hardeman University wins NAIA men's National Basketball Championship". WNWS.com. Kansas City, Missouri. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
18. "Unbeaten Chiefs stay atop NAIA". Eau Claire Leader-Telegram. Eau Claire, Wisconsin. March 24, 1992. p. 31. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
19. Richardson, Bill (March 23, 1993). "Clutch play wins Young MVP". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 18. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Oklahoma City wins the NAIA crown". Lancaster New Era. Lancaster, Pennsylvania. March 22, 1994. p. 24. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
21. Ferguson, John A. (March 21, 1995). "New Attitude Lifts MVP Cason To Star Role". Tulsa World. Tulsa, Oklahoma. p. 30. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "Oklahoma City captures NAIA crown". The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Santa Clarita, California. March 19, 1996. p. 13. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Running Eagles cop NAIA". The Daily Item. Sunbury, Pennsylvania. March 25, 1997. p. 8. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Georgetown, Ky. wins NAIA tourney". Billings Gazette. Billings, Montana. March 24, 1998. p. 16. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Life's last shot wins NAIA title". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. March 23, 1999. p. 41. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
26. Reese, Earnest (March 22, 2000). "Thrilling Life guard saves title". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. 31. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
27. Tat, Jay G. (March 21, 2001). "Sanderson's find turns up golden for Faulkner". Montgomery Advertiser. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 12. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
28. "NAIA: Science & Arts prevails". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. March 20, 2002. p. 42. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
29. Morrison, Dave (March 16, 2006). "Mountain State's Jackson proves 'point' of emphasis". The Register-Herald. Beckley, West Virginia. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
30. Boyce, David (March 31, 2004). "King of the Hill: West Virginia school hangs on for title". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 31. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
31. Tucker, Doug (March 23, 2005). "John Brown wns NAIA championship". The Daily World. Helena, Arkansas. p. 5. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
32. "NAIA notebook: MVP surprised". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. March 22, 2006. p. 35. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
33. Covitz, Randy (March 26, 2008). "Oklahoma City adds another title". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 43. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
34. Jeffries, Mike (March 25, 2009). "Rocky's best ever saved his best for last". Billings Gazette. Billings, Montana. p. 31. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
35. McGarr, Elizabeth (April 5, 2010). "Faces in the Crowd". vault.si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
36. "Setty to be inducted into UPike Hall of Fame". The Ledger Independent. Maysville, Kentucky. August 17, 2022. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
37. Covitz, Randy (March 21, 2012). "Epic rally clinches title". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B7. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
38. Covitz, Randy (March 20, 2013). "Georgetown takes title". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B3. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
39. Covitz, Randy (March 26, 2014). "Local players honored". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B5. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
40. Hummer, Steve (March 30, 2015). "Ingle bounces back – to top". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta, Georgia. p. C5. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
41. "Mid-American Christian wins first NAIA championship". Daily Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. March 23, 2016. p. 24. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
42. Covitz, Randy (March 22, 2017). "Rams reach top: Dion Rogers leads Texas Wesleyan to NAIA championship". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B1. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
43. Taft, Jay (March 21, 2018). "Craig Doty, LT Davis spark Graceland to first NAIA title in dramatic fashion". Rockford Register Star. Rockford, Illinois. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
44. Covitz, Randy (March 27, 2019). "Georgetown routs Carroll College for third crown". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. B4. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
45. "NAIA Div. II men's tourney – All-tournament team". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. March 18, 1992. p. 17. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
46. "NAIA Division II playoffs – All-Tournament Team". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. March 17, 1993. p. 30. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
47. Dodge, Stephen (March 16, 1994). "Eureka! An NAIA champion". Idaho Statesman. Boise, Idaho. p. 8. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
48. "Pilots bringing back individual honors". South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. March 15, 1995. p. 26. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
49. Blanchette, John (March 13, 1996). "Whits worthy of win even if they didn't get it". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. 23. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
50. Kopsea, Matt (March 19, 1998). "Happy homecoming: Morning ceremony today for Pilots". South Bend Tribune. South Bend, Indiana. p. 23. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
51. Sipple, George (March 18, 1999). "Cornerstone champs tired but thrilled". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Michigan. p. 44. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
52. Bailey, Eric (March 15, 2000). "C of O falls short in finals". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, Missouri. p. 27. Retrieved January 6, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
53. Bailey, Eric (March 15, 2001). "Northwestern reaches its goal of title in NAIA-II". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, Missouri. p. 23. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
54. "Evangel captures NAIA". St. Joseph News-Press. St. Joseph, Missouri. March 14, 2002. p. 15. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
55. "Woudstra is NAIA men's player of year". Argus Leader. Sioux Falls, South Dakota. March 20, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
56. Dailey, Pat (March 17, 2004). "Owls hustle way to NAIA national title". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, Missouri. p. 31. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
57. Dailey, Pat (March 16, 2005). "Walsh wears NAIA-II crown". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, Missouri. p. 25. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
58. Cress, Joe (March 16, 2006). "C of O in a celebratory mood". Springfield News-Leader. Springfield, Missouri. p. 27. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
59. Boyce, David (March 14, 2007). "Pioneers are national champs". The Kansas City Star. Kansas City, Missouri. p. 34. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
60. Henderson, Barrett (April 10, 2008). "Ryan Fiegi adds One More National Award". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved January 7, 2024. He scored 22 points in the championship game and was named Tournament MVP for his efforts.
61. Evans, Murray (March 19, 2009). "Oklahoma Wesleyan celebrates NAIA title". Tulsa World. Tulsa, Oklahoma. p. 34. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
62. "NAIA Champs". The Bedford Times-Mail. Bedford, Indiana. March 17, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
63. "Boy with cancer named MVP". Billings Gazette. Billings, Montana. March 17, 2011. p. 32. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
64. "Oregon Tech wins NAIA men's title". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. March 14, 2012. p. 14. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
65. Dailey, Pat (March 12, 2013). "No more heartache for Stritch's Moore". Branson Tri-Lakes News. Branson, Missouri. Retrieved January 7, 2024. Moore was named Tournament MVP after scoring 20 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
66. "Indiana Wesleyan edges Midland for NAIA title". Kearney Hub. Kearney, Nebraska. March 19, 2014. p. 10. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
67. "NAIA Basketball: DWU's run comes up just short". Rapid City Journal. Rapid City, South Dakota. March 18, 2015. p. 23. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
68. Marini, Glenn (March 15, 2016). "St. Francis falls to Indiana Wesleyan in NAIA DII title game". WANE 15. Point Lookout, Missouri. Retrieved January 7, 2024. It is IWU's second national title in the last three years. Marlin was named tournament MVP.
69. "Union College wins NAIA D2 title". Knoxville News Sentinel. Knoxville, Tennessee. March 16, 2017. p. 21. Retrieved January 7, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
70. "Indiana Wesleyan tops Saint Francis for third NAIA title". WTHR 13. Sioux City, South Dakota. March 14, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2024. Kyle Mangas, a freshman from Warsaw, led the Wildcats with 23 points in the championship game and was named the tournament's most valuable player.
71. "Champions: Men's Basketball Wins First-Ever NAIA National Championship". The Journal. Spring Arbor, Michigan. September 6, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2024. Following the game, Durnell and Marandet were named to the All-Tournament Team. Marandet was also awarded the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Most Outstanding Player.