In March 2001, the Faulkner University men’s basketball team returned to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Championship Tournament after reaching the Elite Eight the previous season. The 2000-01 team entered the year with momentum and the belief they could bring home the coveted national championship red banner.
Head coach Jim Sanderson said he sensed early that the season would be special.
“Before school started, the Lord laid on my heart during the month of July that our team would win the national championship,” Sanderson said. “With all the ups and downs of a season, He continued to assure me that it was going to happen. It was an amazing journey.”
The team was coming off a strong 1999-2000 season in which Faulkner posted a 26-11 record and advanced to the Elite Eight in the national tournament. Senior leaders Treives Henry and Moussa Dioum helped guide the team during preseason workouts, building the mental and physical toughness needed for a championship run.
Sanderson said the team’s defining trait was its willingness to play for each other.
“This team was very selfless and willing to play their individual roles for the good of the team,” he said.
One moment during the regular season became a key turning point. Faulkner suffered a difficult loss to Auburn University at Montgomery after leading by 10 points with one minute remaining.
“Although it was a devastating loss, it was a great opportunity for our guys to learn how to handle adversity,” Sanderson said. “I believe this was part of the process of building the grit needed to get the job done.”
The national tournament presented its own challenge. Teams must win five games in six or seven days to claim the title, making it one of the most physically demanding basketball tournaments at any level.
During the tournament’s opening round against McKendree College, Faulkner survived a close call. Leading by two points in the final seconds, the opposing team attempted a game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer but missed.
“I have always considered that if that shot falls, we would have been sent home the very first day,” Sanderson said. “The difference between winning and losing is a very small margin.”
Depth also played a key role in the Eagles’ success. Faulkner used a 10-player rotation to combat fatigue as the tournament progressed.
In the championship game on March 20 against University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, two hustle plays proved decisive. Kellen Cole dove on the floor to recover a loose ball and Paul Little secured a rebound on a missed free throw, giving Faulkner two extra possessions that helped seal the victory.
For senior leader Henry, the team’s identity was clear.
“If I had to choose one word for that 2001 team, it would be selfless,” Henry said. “A group of young men putting each other before themselves is the reason we won. I’m thankful to God for the opportunity to experience winning a National Championship.”
Team manager Freddie Brooks said the experience created lifelong bonds.
“Time with the team taught me it was more than being a student manager,” Brooks said. “It was being there for the team from hanging out in the café to early morning practices. It is a brotherhood bond that can never be broken. Being a part of this team and knowing the slogan on the media guide that year was Unfinished Business is a memory I will never forget.”
“To be there on the sideline as the last seconds ticked off the clock and the buzzer sounded, they had come and finished the business. To see the look on their faces and watching each player cut down the net was awesome! Arriving back on campus to a celebration showed just how much this team meant to the school and town,” he added.
Former player Travis Williams said his favorite memory came when the buzzer sounded to secure the title.
“Experiencing that moment with my teammates is something I will never forget,” he said.
For Benjamin Baxter, the championship was the culmination of years of growth. After suffering a broken wrist and taking a medical redshirt early in his career, he relied on encouragement from teammates and coaches.
“What brought me to Faulkner was the opportunity to play college basketball and to be a part of something special. The family atmosphere that Coach Sanderson, Coach Mixson and the players displayed was great,” he said. “Every year we got better individually and collectively,” Baxter said. “We kept making progress until we achieved greatness.”
Cole remembered the team’s work ethic even before the tournament began.
“Faulkner was the program set up for the most success. We practiced at one of the assigned high school gyms in Tulsa and treated it like a normal practice,” he said. “I remember another team walking in after us and they looked shocked at how hard we were practicing.”
Cole also recalled the support from Faulkner students who traveled to Tulsa to cheer on the team.
“I was in awe at the number of students who made the trip for the championship game and celebrating with them afterward,” he said.
Team manager Fred Barnett said his time at Faulkner shaped him both athletically and spiritually.
“Going to chapel daily was good for the soul and I was able to grow closer with God,” Barnett said. “I was once asked to speak in chapel and it felt great to share the Word with my peers.”
Barnett also enjoyed campus traditions including social clubs and Jamboree while serving as a member of Lambda Alpha Chi.
For Paschal Ike, Faulkner provided an opportunity to pursue education, faith and basketball. He said his science courses with Dr. Elsa Price inspired him to pursue a career in medicine and is now a doctor.
“My fondest Eagles basketball memory is easy,” Ike said. “Winning my teammates over and then winning the championship together.”
The 25th Anniversary Celebration
In January 2026, Faulkner University celebrated the 25th anniversary of the 2001 NAIA men’s basketball national championship team. Every player and most of the team’s staff returned to campus where they were inducted into the Faulkner Athletic Hall of Fame as the Class of 2025-26.
Brooks described the event as more than a ceremony.
“It’s a reflection of a legacy. It represents the foundation built long before the championship team ever stepped on the court,” Brooks said. “The players, coaches and supporters who came before us set the standard for excellence, discipline and faith. The 25th Anniversary milestone isn’t just about honoring talent; it’s about honoring impact – the people who shaped the culture of the program. For everyone to come together after 25 years was a moment of a lifetime.”
Baxter said the reunion allowed teammates to reconnect and relive old memories.
“To see all my brothers back at the place it all started was great,” he said. “We got to share stories, laugh and enjoy each other again. Lastly, we are Champions and Hall of Famers!”
Cole said the strong turnout reflected the program’s lasting impact.
“It was really good to see the amount of people show up for the occasion,” he said.
Williams echoed the sentiment.
“It was an amazing experience and a lot of effort was put into celebrating us,” he said.
Barnett said he was honored to take part in the event.
“I thought the Hall of Fame celebration was planned perfectly,” he said.
Ike described the gathering as a full-circle moment.
“I am thankful that we were all still here on this earth to celebrate our fond memories. Seeing the development and growth of my teammates and their families and embracing our lifelong legacy together could not have been any better,” Ike said. “We are forever connected.”
For the coach who led them to the championship, Sanderson said the celebration was a reminder of a journey defined by faith, perseverance and teamwork. The reunion was a blessing for him and his family.
“The 25th Anniversary Celebration was an absolute blast! It was great to see all the players, staff and their families,” he said. “Some of these guys I had not seen in 25 years. It is hard to believe they are now husbands and fathers. My family and I have truly been blessed to be a part of this Championship Celebration!”
