Thursday, June 1, 2017

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Collectively, these individuals make the GNAC one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the nation.

Name: Mick Durham
Sport: Men’s Basketball
School: University of Alaska Fairbanks
Hometown: Three Forks, Mont.

College(s) Attended: Montana State University

College Majors & Degree(s): B.S. Physical Education; M.Ed. School Administration

Why Did You Become A Coach? I thought it was the next best thing after my playing career was done to keep me involved in the game of basketball.

Who Has Influenced You The Most As A Coach – Either As An Inspiration, As A Mentor Or Philosophically? The coaches that coached me in high school and college. I put all my trust into those coaches at the time and learned both what to do and what not to do.

Biggest Obstacle Overcome As A Coach: Learning that it’s not all about winning, but about the process it takes to be successful. Winning is a by-product of the process.

What Does Division II Mean To You? Good coaches - good character athletes - great competition.

Extracurricular Activities: Golf, running and watching sports.

Best Advice You Would Give To Student-Athletes: Your four-year degree is what it is all about. That, along with having the opportunity to be on a college athlete will give you so many opportunities in life!

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why)? Coach K of Duke. He continues to stay on top of the cutting edge of college basketball.

Favorite Sports Teams: New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Favorite Athletes: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: High School State Basketball Championship; NCAA Basketball Tournament at Montana State University; NCAA Basketball Tournament at New Mexico State University.