ABILENE, Texas - On Saturday afternoon, before an estimated crowd of 1,100 mostly War Hawks faithful, the basketball floor at McMurry University was officially dedicated in honor of former coach (and current Athletics Director) Ron Holmes.

It was a fitting tribute to Holmes, who ranks second on the War Hawks' all-time victories list. Holmes, who also played at McMurry, trails only his coaching mentor, Herschel Kimbrell, on that "wins" list...and the War Hawks' facility - "Kimbrell Arena" - is named after him.

The ceremony, which took place between victories by the women's and men's teams over Mary Hardin-Baylor, saw Holmes receive several gifts. Those items include: a flag which was flown over the United States capital in his honor, A McMurry football jersey adorned with the number "1", a McMurry letter jacket and a framed photograph of the arena floor named in his honor.  

McMurry University President Dr. John Russell read the official proclamation naming the basketball playing surface as "Ron Holmes Court at Kimbrell Arena."

Holmes led the men's basketball team to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 in 2000, which at the time was the furthest an American Southwest Conference team had advanced in the national tournament. He posted nine 20-win seasons, won five ASC titles and at least a share in seven ASC West Division titles.

Holmes' success as McMurry's men's basketball coach from 1990-2010 is among the best the region has seen in small-college basketball; Particularly since the school's enlistment with the American Southwest Conference and the NCAA Division III in 1996.

However, the Van Horn native and McMurry alum, Holmes incessantly deflected his success to his predecessor Hershel Kimbrell. Kimbrell coached the “Indians” from 1959-1990 compiling 448 wins. In 1995, the university decided to name the basketball and volleyball facility “Kimbrell Arena.”

The playing surface adorns the name of the man who compiled 347 wins in 20 seasons, and led McMurry to the NCAA Sweet 16 for two-straight seasons including a run in 2000 where McMurry was the first school in the ASC to reach the NCAA Division III Elite 8.

The playing surface endured in overhaul in the summer to incorporated Holmes' signature on each half of the court in addition to displaying “War Hawks” imagery after McMurry changed its nickname in March of 2011.