Dale Akins graduated from John Brown University in 1971 after a career that featured four letters in men's basketball and another in baseball.

In his junior season, Akins helped the Golden Eagle men's basketball team to a third-place finish at the NCCAA National Championships. There, JBU fell to Azusa Pacific (Calif.) in the semifinals before besting host Tennessee Temple in the third-place game.

One of the biggest wins during Akins' career came against Northeastern State (Okla.) during his junior campaign.