Dalton State Basketball History: History

Random Facts

• The budget for the basketball program's first year was $5000.
• A pair of Converse All-Stars cost $4.95 in 1968.
  
• A student council meeting was scheduled to vote for the team colors, but Coach O. had already chosen navy and silver as the team's colors, and had already ordered the uniforms. “I don’t know what colors you’re going to vote on, but I’ve already ordered navy and silver uniforms.” -Coach O.
  

• Dalton State's first Roadrunner basketball coach was Melvyn Ottinger, and he coached from 1968 until the program was disbanded in 1978.

• Before coaching for Dalton State (then Dalton Junior College), Ottinger played basketball for Shorter College in Rome, Georgia.

• In Shorter's 1960 season, he led the nation with 90.1% free throw completion and was voted the MVP.

• In 2009, Ottinger was inducted into the Shorter College Athletic Hall of Fame.

• Coach Ottinger's overall win-loss record with the DJC Roadrunners was 231W-78L.

• Coach Ottinger's overall winning percentage with the DJC Roadrunners was an astounding .747.

• Coach Ottinger won the Georgia Coach of the Year award in 1970 and 1972.

• Coach Ottinger led Dalton Junior College to win the division championships in 1970 and 1974, state championships in 1970 and 1972, and regional championships in 1972 and 1973.