Lake Forest College Head Men's Basketball Coach Chris Conger announced Thursday that he is resigning after 18 years at the helm of the program.
After developing such a strong relationship with the College, Conger's choice to step down was a difficult one. "Without question, this is the hardest decision I've ever had to make because of my love for Lake Forest College and the people that make this place so special. I have an extreme passion for coaching and love what I do every day, but it is time for me to support my wife as she pursues her career aspirations, much the same way that she has supported me during my time in coaching. Unfortunately, the two worlds I love most, my family and my basketball family, have collided and this move is one that will allow me to focus more attention on my family.
"I am extremely fortunate to have spent 19 years at such a special place and to have developed relationships with so many wonderful people during my time here. I want to express my deep appreciation to Jackie Slaats for taking a chance and hiring me as a 23-year-old head coach back in 1996 as well as for her support since that time. To all the players that I have had the opportunity to coach, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering commitment to Forester Basketball. I have learned so much from each and every one of you, and you have all had a lasting impact on the person I am today."
With 201 victories since becoming the team's head coach in 1996, Conger easily ranks first in program history. Nearly 150 basketball players have suited up for him during that time and they have earned 33 All-Midwest Conference distinctions, 35 Academic All-MWC honors, two MWC Player of the Year awards, and a pair of All-American accolades.
Conger graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1995 and joined the Lake Forest College staff as an assistant coach that summer. Less than a year later, he took over as the youngest collegiate head coach in the nation.
The Foresters qualified for the four-team Midwest Conference Tournament for the first time in program history in 1998 and Conger was selected as the MWC South Division Coach of the Year after the season. He earned the league's coach of the year honor again after leading the team to a 16-0 MWC record and the program's first outright conference championship in 2000. He was also named MWC Coach of the Year in 2007 and after directing the team to a program-best 20-4 record and another conference championship in 2012.
A victory over visiting Beloit College on January 31, 2004, made Conger the winningest head coach in Forester men's basketball history. He reached the 100-victory mark at the end of the 2004-05 campaign and notched his 200th career win in his final season. Conger closed out his Lake Forest tenure with a 69-66 triumph over Monmouth College on February 22, 2014.
In addition to serving as the College's head men's basketball coach, Conger posted a 76-33 record and claimed a pair of MWC titles as head coach of the Forester women's tennis team from 1999-2005. His 277 victories in the two sports combined are more than all but two coaches in school history.
Conger has also made several significant contributions to the Forester Athletic Department and the College outside of coaching. He served on the planning team before and during the renovation of the College's Sports and Recreation Center in 2010. Due to his expertise in computers and other technology, he has also helped make countless improvements to several departmental operations, most notably in recruiting and communication with the Admissions Department. He has also served on several important committees, both in athletics and other areas of campus life.
"I am extremely happy for Chris and supportive of his decision to spend more time with his family," stated Director of Athletics and former women's basketball coach Jackie Slaats. "He has done so much for his players, the department, and the entire College during his time here and we cannot thank him enough. As his basketball coaching counterpart for many seasons, I have the utmost respect for Chris and can attest to his impeccable character, incredible work ethic, and unwavering dedication to his players. Overall, his departure is a big loss for Forester Athletics and the College and while we will miss him dearly as a colleague, I know he will remain a close friend of the College."
Associate Head Coach Ken Davis has been promoted to the team's head coach (story). Per College policy, a national search will be conducted, with Davis as a candidate, at the conclusion of his interim appointment.
