Over the past 20 years, over fifty players and coaches have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. To be a Hall of Famer, a player has to meet a set of requirements and be a respectable citizen. The player or coach also has to be out of school for 5 years. 

In the trophy case at the south end of the gym is a plaque with the names of all the Hall of Famers. 

Our Tri-Center Basketball Hall of Fame inductee this year is Coach Carl Cochran. 

Coach Cochran came to Tri-Center from Elk Horn-Kimballton in 1974 and took over the basketball program in 1975.  He had instant success from his first season at the helm, posting a 17-7 record. Coach Cochran won his first conference championship in the 1977-1978 season and went to state for the first time in 1985-1986 season. That team went on to get state runner-up in 1A that season. 

Coach Cochran was also very involved in getting youth basketball integrated at Tri-Center. He started Saturday Morning Basketball in 1976, and later started Trojan Basketball Camp in 1980, which was a favorite for all local basketball players.  Coach Cochran also started the Tri-Center Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991 to honor former Trojan Greats. 

Over his 39 year career, Coach Cochran won 551 games, made 5 state tournament appearances (1986, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2008) finishing 2nd in 1986 and 4th in 2007, won 5 Western Iowa Conference Championships, 5 Conference Tournament Championships, 8 Districts Championships, and 5 Substate Championships. He was state coach of the year in 1986 and 2008. Coach Cochran was inducted into the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame in 2009, and was a 2006 Finalist for National Coach of the Year. 

Coach Cochran coached 59 All-Conference Performers, 3 All-State Performers, and 2 Honorable Mention McDonalds All-Americans. Most importantly, he worked to produce great kids and help them to become better men. He put in countless hours into all aspects of the basketball program and the school.

Coach Cochran’s career will be remembered for many things, but there are definitely some things that stand out. For the players, they will remember the thorough scouting reports, Gatorades for charges, Trojan Camp,  pregame meetings, the socks, downscreen, the yearly poster, and numerous other great memories. 

Coach Cochran still resides in Minden with his wife Cindy. Their son Cary and his wife, Lexi also live in Minden with their kids Lucy, Carson, and Clara. 

Please welcome to the Tri-Center Basketball Hall of Fame, Coach Carl Cochran.