2019-20: In his first season at UIW, Artis helped guide the Cardinals improving its conference win total from one (2018-19) to six (2019-20). Additionally, UIW tied the number for most true road wins since the 2015-16 season. The Cardinals also won more games overall than the previous season for the first time since joining Division I.
Artis was named UIW Director of Basketball Operations in April 2019. He brings with him 16 years of coaching experience. Artis played collegiately at Valparaiso and a professional career in Australia, Norway, France, and Uruguay.
Artis comes to UIW from Calumet College of St. Joseph in Whiting, Indiana, after he served two terms on the coaching staff at Calumet, the first between 2004 and 2013 as an assistant coach. During the 2006-07 season, Calumet won its first Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship, finished with a 21-7 record, and was ranked 26th among NAIA Division 2 teams. Calumet produced several all-conference players, one of whom, Wilfredo Escobar, was named Honorable Mention All-America in 2010-11.
During the 2013-14 season, Artis was associate head coach at Bosco Institute of Crown Point, Indiana, which sent five players to Division I NCAA schools that year. During the 2014-15 season, Artis served as head boys' basketball coach at Midwest Elite Preparatory High School in Crown Point, Indiana -- which sent four players to D1 NCAA programs that season.
Artis returned to Calumet College as associate head coach for the 2015-16 season, where he has served until coming to UIW. During the 2016-17 season, Calumet won its second CCAC regular-season title and received its first NAIA D2 tournament bid. During the 2018-19, Calumet started with a 12-0 record and received its highest weekly national ranking, 20th place.
Artis enjoyed a noteworthy career as an NCAA D1 player at Valparaiso. During the 1995-96 season, he helped lead Valpo to its first Mid-Continent Conference regular season and tournament championship, and its first berth in the NCAA Tournament. The next year, as team captain during his senior season, he was named All-Mid-Continent Conference. Again, he led the Crusaders to regular-season and conference tournament championships -- and a return to the NCAA Tournament.
Upon graduating, Artis spent four seasons playing professional basketball in Australia, Norway, France and Uruguay.
Chris and his wife Melinda have two daughters, Gabriella and Olivia.
