The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association (MBCA) annually honors the Richard Fairchild Coaches of the Year. These individuals represent the Associations outstanding coaches in each of the MSHSAA six classifications. The award is named to honor Richard Fairchild, a 1990 MBCA Hall of Fame selection who coached 28 years, winning 463 games, a state title, and making 5 appearances at the Show-Me Showdown.
Since 2011, the National High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA) honors coaches for service to their state and efforts toward upholding the MBCA mission, "to promote basketball in Missouri".
In 2017, the award was renamed to honor longtime MBCA board member Ryan Shaw. Promoting basketball was a passion for Coach Shaw, his first elementary camp had five athletes show up, and four years later his elementary camp had over 100 athletes. Coach Shaw was involved in the MBCA for nearly two decades serving as Vice President, President, and Past President. He encouraged many of the board members to get involved and expanded participation during his tenure. He was also a huge contributor to expanding the MBCA clinic in the fall and instigating and developing the Missouri Challenge Event. Coach Shaw left behind a legacy of passion for basketball. His players and coaches that worked with him will always be inspired by his energy for basketball and life.
This award was named to honor longtime Nixa Basketball Assistant Coach Kevin "Cub" Martin. A lifelong Nixa resident, Martin helped lead the Eagles to the 1978 Class 2 Missouri State Championship. He worked as a volunteer assistant while attending college and was hired in 1992 to coach the Nixa Junior High teams.
He became Coach Jay Osborne’s top assistant in 1993, where he served until his passing in 2004. The Eagles won the 1999 Class 3 State Championship, placed 3rd in the 2002 Class 3 Final Four, and won District Titles in 1994 and 1998 with Coach Martin. His loyalty to Nixa High School and the Nixa community was never in question and proudly displayed.
Kevin was sincere, unselfish, and just a great man. He left a permanent impact on all of those who met him. The MBCA adopted this award in 2005 and recognizes assistant coaches throughout the state of Missouri each season.
The John Wooden Legacy Award is given by the National High School Basketball Coaches Association (NHSBCA) to a coach that is either active, retired, or it may be awarded posthumously. The coach must demonstrate excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community. The coach was/is an Educator (Teacher, Paraprofessional, Administrator, Athletic Director, or other school personnel). The coach should also continue to give back to the game of basketball and embody the characteristics of John Wooden.
