Former Menlo College Player Enshrined in the CCCMBCA Hall of Fame

Academic struggles nearly doomed Kurtis Townsend’s athletic career.

Fortunately, he ended up at then Menlo College, and playing for Hall of Fame Coach Bud Presley. Townsend had a stellar two-year career at Menlo (not a four-year business school). He earned first-team All-State his sophomore year after averaging 18 points and 5 rebounds per game. He led Menlo to the state championship game his final season, losing to Merced College in Long Beach Arena on a half-court buzzer beater.

After the final horn sounded, Townsend began sorting through the more than 100 offers. In the end, he chose Western Kentucky, playing for legendary coaches Gene Keady and Clem Haskin. A point guard, Townsend played two seasons (1978-80) as Western Kentucky, helping the Hilltoppers to the 1980 Ohio Valley Conference title and an NCAA tournament bid. He spent the 1981 season in the CBA for the Montana Golden Nuggets and earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation from Western Kentucky in 1982.

“Coach Presley was a great mentor and made me see basketball in a completely different light,” Townsend said. “That is when I first thought about coaching - when I was done playing. My teammates became lifelong friends and I wouldn’t trade those two years for anything.”

Townsend’s passion for the game paid off in a career in the coaching ranks. Today, he is considered one of the top coaches in the game. In the summer of 2004, he joined the University of Kansas staff. He helped coach the Jayhawks to a national championship; two NCAA Tournament title games; three Final Fours; seven NCAA Tournament Elite Eights; and nine NCAA Sweet 16s. While at the University, he was part of 14-consecutive Big 12 regular-season titles and eight conference tournament crowns. Townsend has coached 10 NBA Draft lottery selections, 22 NBA draftees and 51 All-Big 12 players.

Townsend joined the Jayhawk staff after serving as an assistant under Perry Clark at the University of Miami for one season. Prior to Miami, Townsend spent two seasons at USC helping guide the Trojans to two Pac-10 Tournament championship games. In 2001-02, his first season with the Trojans, USC finished 22-10, earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and finishing the season ranked 18th in the nation by the Associated Press. Before USC, Townsend spent three seasons at Michigan, helping lead the Wolverines to the NIT in 2000. He was also an assistant at Eastern Kentucky in 1997-98 following four seasons at California (1993-97), where he helped coach the Golden Bears to three NCAA Tournament appearances (1994, 1996, 1997), including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1997.

Townsend coaching career began at the high school level in his hometown of San Jose, serving as an assistant coach at Leland (1984-87) and Del Mar (1987-89). He then became head coach at Leigh (1989-91), winning two league titles and advancing to a state championship game. He moved to Willow Glen High School (1991-93), guiding the program to the sectional finals two consecutive seasons.

“I am humbled and honored to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Townsend said. “I would like to thank everyone that was a part of my journey. I am truly blessed to have experienced California junior college.”