Bob Burchard to retire after the season

Longtime Columbia College men’s basketball coach and athletic director Bob Burchard will retire following the 2018-19 basketball season.

“Columbia College is a special place,” Burchard said in a release. “I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to serve the institution and our students.”

Burchard began at Columbia College in 1988. Since then, he’s led the Cougars to a 781-261 record in 31 years with the Cougars. He is No. 1 in wins among active NAIA men’s coaches and No. 33 all-time among all college basketball coaches.

“Bob has positively impacted thousands of lives over his three decades at CC. He has served as role model and mentor not just to the athletes on his teams, but to countless others,” Columbia College President Scott Dalrymple said in a release. “He has earned the respect of his staff members, his athletic peers nationwide, his colleagues across the college, the media, and the community. It seems no exaggeration to say that Bob Burchard is a legend at Columbia College, and beyond.”

CC named its court after Burchard in 2016. He has helped guide the Cougars to 22 NAIA National Tournaments. His team reached the championship game in 2009.

According to a release, Columbia College will begin a national search for Burchard’s replacement soon.