July 15, 2004

Chicago, Ill. - University of Illinois at Chicago Athletics Director Jim Schmidt announced on Thursday afternoon, that with Board of Trustees approval he has extended the contract of Head Men's Basketball Coach Jimmy Collins through the 2008-09 season.

"I've said all along that working for UIC and the people here has been very challenging and rewarding," Collins said. "This extension shows that the administration fully supports the direction the basketball program has gone in.

"I'm very pleased to be able to stay here and continue to build a program that represents both UIC and the city of Chicago."

Collins, who was introduced as the Flames' ninth head coach on March 27, 1996, has taken the program to new heights under his leadership.

In his eight years as coach, Collins has guided UIC to the program's first three NCAA Tournament appearances (1998, 2002, 2004), as well as the school's first trip to the NIT in 2003. He has captured a pair of Horizon League Tournament titles (2002, 2004) while claiming one regular-season crown (1998).

Collins has posted 131 victories during his tenure and needs just three more wins to reach the top spot on the UIC career coaching victories list. He has tallied four 20-win seasons, reaching the plateau in each of the last three campaigns.

"Jimmy Collins is more than a basketball coach for UIC," Schmidt said. "He is a goodwill ambassador who has done a great job molding young people and running his program in the spirit of what collegiate sports is all about.

"We are pleased that we will have him lead our program into the future."

Last season was a memorable one for Collins and UIC as the Flames rolled to a school-record 24 victories, capped off by its Horizon League Tournament title and automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

UIC's road to the NCAA's was a difficult one as the Flames defeated both Butler and #1 seed UW-Milwaukee on their home courts for the Horizon League Tournament crown and the right to move on to the 'Field of 65'.