Legendary Kentucky State basketball coach Lucias Mitchell, who coached the Thorobreds to three consecutive national championships, was named among the NAIA Hall of Fame inductees when the organization announced its 2015 class this week.

Mitchell led the Thorobreds through the most successful stretch in program history, claiming three straight NAIA national championships in 1970, 1971, and 1972, one of only three coaches across all divisions to accomplish the feat. Mitchell's teams compiled a combined record of 88-10 over those three seasons, and during that time, had players selected in the first round of the NBA Draft in back-to-back seasons, with Elmore Smith selected by the Buffalo Braves with the third pick in 1971 and Travis Grant going to the Los Angeles Lakers with the 13th pick in 1972.

Across his career, Mitchell compiled a career record of 325-103, his .759 winning percentage ranking 28th all-time among coaches of all divisions. He spent a total of 15 seasons as a head coach, also coaching at Norfolk State and Alabama State.

Additionally, Mitchell earned two national coach of the year awards and selected as a lecturer at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He also coaches all-star teams in Venezuela in 1971 and 1972, and was the first African American officer of the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Mitchell has also been honored by Kentucky State with an induction to the KSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the naming of its basketball court in 2008.
Mitchell was one of eight NAIA Hall of Fame inductees in the class, joined by Tyrone Van Aswegen (Oklahoma City University, golf), Randi Haines (Dakota Wesleyan University, basketball), Mark Hollis (Olilvet Nazarene University, track and field), Jim Kessler (Grace College, basketball), Dr. Joyce Pigge (Bethany College, administration), Ritchie Richardson (Olivet Nazarene University, softball), and Rico Swanson (Bethel College, basketball).