FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Head Men's Basketball Coach James Crutchfield has been selected for induction into the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
The induction ceremony will take place on Tuesday, October 13 at the FTL War Memorial in Fort Lauderdale.
Since arriving at NSU in 2017, Crutchfield has built one of the most dominant dynasties in college basketball history. The Sharks captured two NCAA Division II national championships, highlighted by an undefeated 36–0 campaign in 2023 and a second national championship in 2025.
Along with those national titles and four straight NCAA Final Four appearances, Crutchfield's program established an NCAA Division II-record 105-game home winning streak at the Rick Case Arena, dating back to February 2020.
"Coach Crutchfield exemplifies the standard of excellence that defines Nova Southeastern University," said NSU President, Dr. Harry K. Moon. "His impact extends far beyond the scoreboard. He has fostered a culture of integrity, leadership, and academic success that elevates our entire university community. This Hall of Fame honor is a well-deserved recognition of his extraordinary legacy."
Crutchfield is a multi-time National Association of Basketball Coaches National Coach of the Year whose hallmark full-court press and fast-paced system have elevated NSU to elite status.
"What Coach Crutchfield has accomplished at Nova Southeastern is remarkable, but this recognition goes beyond championships and wins," NSU Interim Director of Athletics Ryan Romero said. "He has helped elevate the profile of NSU Athletics nationally while building something incredibly special right here in Broward County. We have had a front-row seat to what Crutch has built over the last nine years, and I could not be happier for him and his family. This is a tremendous and well-deserved honor."
Before transforming NSU into a national power, Crutchfield spent 13 seasons as the head coach at West Liberty University, compiling a 359–61 record. Across his storied career, which includes winning 11 conference titles as West Liberty's head tennis coach, Crutchfield holds the highest overall career winning percentage (.871) in college basketball history among coaches with at least 10 seasons.
"It is a tremendous privilege to be included in the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame alongside such a distinguished group of inductees," Crutchfield said. "This recognition is truly a reflection of the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and administration at Nova Southeastern University who have put in the work to build something special here in South Florida. I am deeply honored to represent the Sharks community."
Event Details
- Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Location: FTL War Memorial (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
- Schedule:
- 5:30 PM – Cocktail Reception and Silent Auction
- 7:00 PM – Dinner Service and Official Induction Presentations
- Impact: All proceeds from the silent auction directly benefit the Broward County Sports Hall of Fame. Purchase tickets at https://browardedfoundation.org/events/sportshalloffame/
2026 Broward County Sports Hall of Fame Class The 2026 class honors seven outstanding individuals and one historic high school program:
- James Bostic – Football
- Dave Brousseau – Media
- James Crutchfield – Basketball (Nova Southeastern University)
- Todd Fitz-Gerald – Baseball
- Michael Goldenberg – Water Polo
- Jack Seiler – Sports Advocate
- Cesar Lucero – Spirit of Sport Award
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas Baseball (2020–2026 teams) – Special Team Recognition
Following the induction ceremony, Coach Crutchfield and the 2026 class will be permanently enshrined on the Honor Wall inside Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida - home of the NHL's Florida Panthers.
