BRUNSWICK, Maine - Former Bowdoin College men's basketball head coach Tim Gilbride has been named a recipient of the 2026 National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Outstanding Service Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions to the game of basketball both on and off the court.
 
The award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on the Division III men's basketball landscape through their coaching accomplishments, leadership, mentorship and service to the game.
 
Gilbride, who retired from Bowdoin in 2021 following a remarkable 35-season tenure as head men's basketball coach, is the winningest coach in program history with 494 career victories. His .578 winning percentage is also the highest in school history, and at the time of his retirement, his victory total ranked first among NESCAC coaches and among the top 20 nationally in Division III.
 
Under Gilbride's leadership, the Polar Bears became a consistent postseason contender, qualifying for postseason play 20 times and posting winning records in 25 of his final 28 campaigns. His teams made four NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighted by a record-setting 2007-08 season in which Bowdoin finished 22-7, advanced to the NESCAC Championship Game and earned an NCAA Tournament victory. Gilbride was recognized as both NESCAC and New England Division III Coach of the Year following that campaign.
 
Throughout his career, Gilbride mentored 54 players who earned All-State, All-NESCAC, All-New England or All-American recognition. His accomplishments and contributions to the sport were further recognized in 2013 when he was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame.
 
In addition to his basketball success, Gilbride served as Bowdoin's head men's soccer coach, becoming the first coach to lead teams to NCAA Tournament appearances in both basketball and soccer in the same year. 
 
Beyond his success on the sidelines, Gilbride was deeply committed to the development of student-athletes and fellow coaches. In 2016, he was named Bowdoin's Assistant Athletic Director for Coach Development, helping coordinate professional development opportunities and mentoring members of the College's coaching staff. His emphasis on teamwork, selflessness, preparation and personal growth left a lasting impression on generations of Polar Bear student-athletes.
 
Gilbride's basketball coaching career also included previous stops at American International College and his alma mater, Providence College, where he served as head women's basketball coach before arriving at Bowdoin in 1985.