Southern Polytechnic State University's Men's Basketball Coach Mike Helfer has been recognized as Georgia's NAIA/NCAA Division III College Coach of the Year by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. Helfer will be honored at the organization's Naismith Awards Dinner on April 7.

"I'm flattered to be honored by the Atlanta Tipoff Club. This is nice recognition for the entire team. Awards such as these are a direct result of having good players in your program," said Helfer. Helfer is in his fourth year as head basketball coach at Southern Polytechnic.

The Atlanta Tipoff Club, founded in 1956, promotes a continued support for the game of basketball and also recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of its participants. The Tipoff Club's Naismith Awards Dinner, now in its 33^rd year, honors college basketball achievement throughout the country and is considered the most prestigious honor in the sport.

Helfer's Runnin' Hornets won their second straight GACC tournament this season and advanced to the Sweet 16 at the 2001 NAIA national tournament. Last year Helfer was named the GACC Coach of the Year in men's basketball and also received the GACC's All-Sports Men's Coach of the Year award. The Runnin' Hornets finished the season 24-11.

Southern Polytechnic State University offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in the sciences, technologies and engineering, addressing the professional workforce needs of many of the nation's fastest growing fields. Approximately 4,000 students pursue their education in day and evening classes on the Southern Polytechnic campus, which is located some 20 minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta.