FORT MYERS, Fla. - Former Lynn University Director of Athletics John McCarthy has been selected as a member of the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026, earning induction as a contributor in recognition of his decades-long impact on small college basketball.
McCarthy served as Lynn's fifth Director of Athletics from 2002-06, leading the department during a period of continued growth while also making significant contributions to NCAA Division II athletics on the conference and national levels.
Before being named Director of Athletics, McCarthy played several important roles within the Lynn Athletics Department. He joined the Fighting Knights as an assistant men's basketball coach before serving as Director of Athletic Development and Director of the Blue & White Club, where he helped strengthen support for Lynn's athletic programs. Prior to arriving in Boca Raton, McCarthy was the head men's basketball coach at Wilmington College (Del.), the institution founded by former Lynn University President Dr. Donald Ross before his arrival at Marymount College in 1971.
During his tenure as Director of Athletics, McCarthy chaired three Sunshine State Conference committees, served as Chair of the NCAA Division II South Region Men's Basketball Committee and was a member of the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Committee. His leadership helped shape championship administration and postseason opportunities for Division II student-athletes across the country.
Beyond his work at Lynn, McCarthy founded the Collegiate Basketball Invitational (CBI), an annual showcase that brought together the nation's top small college basketball seniors to perform in front of professional scouts, agents and national media. Through partnerships with ESPNU, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), Russell Athletic and numerous other organizations, the event became the premier exposure opportunity for graduating student-athletes from the small college ranks.
Following his time at Lynn, McCarthy continued to leave his mark on the game as Director of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship, where he also served as a liaison to four conferences and assisted with numerous NAIA membership applications. Throughout his career, he has become one of the nation's foremost authorities on small college basketball.
Widely respected throughout the basketball community, McCarthy has been featured in publications including USA Today, Basketball Times, the Kansas City Star, the Indianapolis Star and numerous other national outlets. He has also authored articles for the Sports Business Journal, Time Out (the NABC publication) and HoopScoop, while remaining an active speaker and consultant for coaches and athletic administrators across the country through his nationally recognized presentations, Lessons of the Legends, Life Lessons and The Real Recruiting Process.
The Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be inducted on Friday, Nov. 6, at the historic Polk Theatre in Lakeland, Florida. The induction festivities will include a press conference, panel discussion, Hall of Fame ceremony and recognition during the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame Classic.
McCarthy joins an accomplished Hall of Fame Class of 2026 that includes 10 former standout players, legendary coach Steve Moore and fellow contributor honorees celebrating the very best of small college basketball.
For more than three decades, McCarthy has impacted the collegiate athletics landscape as a coach, athletic director, championship administrator, event founder, author, speaker and advocate for small college basketball. His induction into the Small College Basketball Hall of Fame recognizes a career dedicated to advancing opportunities for student-athletes and promoting the game at every level.
