Inductees

Former Kickapoo Chiefs standout Spencer Laurie was once asked to described Coach Roy Green in two words or less.  Without hesitation Laurie replied, “Player’s coach.”

And with very few exceptions, all of the players who have hit the hardwoods under Green’s tutelage during his 41 years of coaching would agree. Green has always been a believer in allowing the players to fully exercise and display their talents. His job as a coach, he felt, was to make all of those individual’s talents work together.

“I was always known for giving a lot of green lights to the players,” Green said. “I wanted to maximize their talents and not put a lot of restrictions on them.  Players appreciate you letting them utilize their skills as best you can.”

Green was born in the small town of Roach, Missouri on January 17, 1944.  He attended Camdenton High School where he scored over 1700 points for the Lakers basketball team.  He was an All State selection in 1962 and garnered an Honorable Mention All State nod the same year.  From there, Roy took his talents to nearby Southwest Missouri State University where he earned three varsity letters in basketball.

After graduation, Green began his coaching career with a two year stint at Miller, followed by a single year at Willow Springs.  Following those three years, Roy was asked by Uncle Sam to join the U.S. Army in 1969 and was immediately shipped off to Vietnam.  It was in Southeast Asia that Sgt. Green earned the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service. Says Green when queried on exactly how he won the award, “Nothing special. I was just doing my job.” Probably as close to a lie as Green will ever tell.

Upon returning state-side, Green immediately resumed his coaching career by accepting the job as assistant basketball coach at Springfield’s Glendale High School, a position he held for 12 years.  During his tenure with the Falcons, Roy managed to find time to earn his Masters degree from Central Missouri State University.

When the head coaching position opened up at Kickapoo High School, Green accepted the job with the cross town rivals and began building a program and a resume that would some 18 years later usher him into the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  In his 26 seasons at Kickapoo, which would come to an end after the 2009 season, Coach Green posted a record of 558 wins against only 186 losses; an average of 21 wins per season.

The 558 victories are the most ever recorded by a Springfield coach.  Green’s teams made five Final Four appearances, resulting in two state championships (2003 and 2006), two runner-up spots, and one third place finish.  His teams claimed 16 district titles, 12 conference titles, and from 2001 to 2009 recorded an incredible 65 consecutive conference wins.  In 2005 his Kickapoo team won the highly esteemed Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions.

Coach Green was named Springfield Tip-Off Club Coach of the Year ten times. In 2005 he received the Missouri State University Distinguished Alumni award.

Roy and his wife Jane live in Springfield.  The couple has two daughters, Carol Feinberg and Sarah Jones, and three grandchildren, Matthew Steiniger, and Josh and Olivia Jones.