WATERTOWN, Wis. --- Joel Borchardt, an MBU graduate and one of the program's top alums, will be taking the title of Assistant Coach and JV Head Coach of the Sabercats Men's Basketball Program for the 2016-17 season.

Borchardt graduated from MBU in 2013 and played four years on the Men's Basketball team before moving to Indiana to teach. 

In Borchardt's tenure at Maranatha, he averaged 11.7 points per game over a 103-game span, and set program records for games started, minutes played, and rebounds, and was named as an NCCAA All-American during his senior year - the first time in 10 years that an MBU player had made the All-America first team. (View a player profile of Borchardt here).

In the interim between his graduation and return to MBU, Borchardt coached for three years at Community Baptist Christian School in South Bend, Indiana. Borchardt played for one year under head coach Keith Salscheider, and is eager to work alongside his former coach in a familiar setting.

"Because I grew up around Maranatha, this school has been a tremendous blessing in my life," stated Borchardt. "From the faculty to the coaches, many people at Maranatha have had a big impact on my life, and I want to be able to do the same to future Christian leaders."

When asked of his philosophy, Borchardt stated, "My philosophy of coaching is to train young men to be the best basketball players they can be, while also challenging them to grow spiritually. Basketball is a tool that we can use to reach others for Christ, and when my players are finished with their basketball career, I want them to use the talents that God has given them to share the gospel with others." 

"As with any JV program," Borchardt said, "the goal is to give players experience that will help them develop more in their game, and eventually work their way up into the varsity roster. My goal for the guys playing JV is that we will work hard in practice to not only improve our own skills, but to also help the varsity team improve. I want our guys to have a 'team first' mentality; that everything I do is to help the team, not to serve myself. And, above all, I want our guys to play to the best of their ability for the glory of God, so that everyone we play will notice the difference that Christ makes in our lives."

"When the time came to think about the possibility of a JV program and who could run it, Joel Borchardt was the first name that came to my mind. Joel had a tremendous career at MBU, he has a heart for the Lord and for the kids, is a product of the Maranatha Baptist Academy, so he was the logical choice.

"Joel has a few years of high school teaching and coaching under his belt, and we are ecstatic about hiring him. He has a variety of skills, and he will be great in working with our bigs and developing the JV program."

Borchardt, the JV team, and the rest of the Sabercats begin their season in one week, as they will face off against Emmaus Bible College at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 15th at home.

Borchardt and the JV team are slated to play five games as the schedule stands. Click here to see the full schedule.