Mike attended North Thurston High School lettering in three sports Football, Basketball and Baseball. Mike went on to graduate from Whitman College in 1985 with a degree in Political Science. At Whitman Mike played 4 years of Varsity basketball for the late Coach Jim Mastin. Mike was the Whitman team captain his senior season and the Borleske Trophy Winner for the outstanding male student- athlete at Whitman his senior year.
Mike enjoys an awesome family including his wife Kelly of 25 years, sons Drew, Matt, Jon and daughter JackieAnn. The wonderful support that they have shown throughout the years is an inspiration. The opportunity to coach all three of his sons in high school has been a highlight for Mike and he looks forward to coaching his daughter as well. Commercial general contracting and real estate development in the Olympia area is Mike’s occupation away from the hardwood.
Mike is going into his 29th season coaching basketball at North Thurston. He began his coaching career during the 85’-86’ season as the C-team coach. After that first year, he has been the Junior Varsity Coach and Assistant Varsity Coach for last 27 years. Mike has worked under two great Head Coaches at North Thurston. Eddie Smith, for 8 years and Tim Brown for the last 19 seasons. “The passion those two Coaches have shown for the game of basketball and for the development of young men into strong players and good citizens is continually inspirational” Mike said.
Mike is grateful to coach at the high school level. Basketball is a naturally exciting game and Mike believes that learning through intense competition provides a great medium to develop young athletes into outstanding people and strong contributors to the community. The ability to inspire student athletes to do their best everyday, push themselves beyond what they thought was physically possible, and discipline themselves to execute are the qualities that Mike strives for at practice and on game day.
