Foster Quits PLNC Post

Ben Foster, citing the need for a breath of fresh air, resigned Tuesday as Point Loma Nazarene’s men’s basketball coach after 17 years.

Foster, 45, compiled a 310-232 win-loss record, and was PLNC’s winningest coach. Before his tenure as head coach, he was the freshman and junior varsity coach for six years. As a player, he was the school’s fifth all-time leading scorer (1,786 points) and second all-time leading rebounder (1,324 rebounds).

In addition to basketball, Foster has coached the golf team for 17 years. He will remain the golf coach and a professor.

“It was time to make a change,” Foster said. “I’ve been coaching two sports and teaching for a long time. After doing it for so many years, it was time to settle down and coach one sport. The basketball program needs a breath of fresh air. It’s very timely right now.”

This year’s team was 12-16, but under Foster, Crusader teams won the National Christian College Athletic Assn. national championship three consecutive years (1985 through 1987), and went to NAIA District 3 playoffs 10 times. PLNC also won five District 3 Southern Division titles and the 1987 Golden State Athletic Conference championship under Foster.

As a player, Foster was an All-American honorable mention in 1968, the same year the Crusaders went to Kansas City to the NAIA national tournament.

Said PLNC President Jim Bond: “His commitment to excellence has been demonstrated in ways that exceed his won-loss record. He has been a tremendous credit to our institution.”

No replacement for Foster has been announced.