Bushnell University Athletic Hall of Fame
2008 Induction Photo Gallery
Press Release
Willis played for the Crusaders from 1983-1986, and in that time became known as possibly the greatest basketball player in school history. Willis was named team MVP during all four season, earning four All-American honors from the National Bible College Athletic Association. Willis was an instrumental part of the Crusaders teams that won the four straight NBCAA National Championships. During that run he was named to four All-Tournament teams and was named the Tournament MVP on three occasions. Willis led the team in scoring during all four years, collecting more than 2,500 points in his career.
Possibly the most memorable season both for Willis and for NCC basketball came in 1984. The Crusaders won the NBCAA National Championship that year after a post-season run that included a triple-overtime thriller in the semifinals against Pillsbury Bible College and an over-time victory in the championship game against previously undefeated number one seed North Central Bible College of Minneapolis. The Crusaders were down by eight points with 1:11 to go and came back to tie the game before winning in the extra period. Willis scored 21 points to lead the team in that game.
Willis was also a renowned basketball star both before and after his time at Northwest Christian College. The Eugene native played at Marist High School where he was the second-leading scorer in the Sky-Em League as a junior and led his team to the 2A State Championship as a senior. Willis went on to play basketball professionally in Germany. He averaged over 25 points per game for FC Shalke 04 in the 1986-87 season, leading the team to a 21-1 record and the Division 3 championship. The team finished third in Division two the following year with Willis again averaging over 25 points per game.
Willis currently resides in Mt. Juliet, Tenn. with his wife of 18 years, Elaine, and their two sons. He owns his own math tutoring business with two Mathnasium Learning Centers located in Mt. Juliet and Hendersonville.
