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Wednesday, August 1, 2007
A True Sports Man
Central Oklahoma, OK
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Mike Nunley is the athletic director for the Edmond School District. The 42 year-old ex-standout basketball player, coached at Crescent, Ripley, Putnam West and UCO, but now he’s in charge of the sports at Edmond North, Edmond Santa Fe and Edmond Memorial.
Growing up in Waurika I always wanted to be a doctor. I thought I would be a doctor, but I didn’t like losing. Death always wins. Then I changed majors.
I played all the sports growing up. In a small town, you played everything. Basketball was my favorite.
In a small town, if you get gas or go to church or go to a restaurant or get your hair cut, athletics is always the topic of discussion.
My mom and dad were good high school athletes. They encouraged sports. I had two younger brothers and in the whole neighborhood, there were 11 boys. It was a great town and I wanted to be there. It was Mayberry. You could walk anywhere and I knew everyone. A fantastic time.
I was OK as a player. I was fortunate to have a good career. I had some stats that I’m proud of. I had a very good career. I went to college and was the first in my family to do so. I went to Western State in Altus. That was a big town for me. I ate at McDonalds and Braums quite often. It was a lot different. I had a great experience.
Athletics was good to me. I have three degrees and they are free of charge thanks to basketball.
I had a chance to go to Europe and play. But coming out of school, no one wanted to do that. I should have been more serious about Europe. I regret that I didn’t pursue it further.
Being a first-year coach was enlightening. People don’t care how good a player you were, and it really didn’t matter how nicely dressed you were either. I was in a suit, and a guy in blue jeans and boots was beating my bottom.
As a coach, I was a click of the clock away a couple times. I think about how I could have been better. When I won, I could eat. When I lost, it was, watch tape until you figure out how I could have won.
One thing I regret from my coaching career was that I was so demanding. I should have stayed in contact with more of my players, too. I wish I had kept up with those relationships. That’s a regret.
I was fortunate enough to make it to the state tournament, and I wanted to hold the gold ball, but being there was great. I always felt like we disappointed the community because we didn’t win it all.
Now, high school sports are a business at every level. Small towns and big schools. We are vying for the entertainment dollar. We have to make it appealing for people to come out and watch. It’s a challenge and fun. It’s the best job. I get to be involved with things I love and I get a lot of resources to do it.
High school players are challenged now with their focus. We make a big deal of the kids who play more than one sport, but kids now are forced to specialize because of the demands put on them. It’s difficult for them to play for the love of the sport, it’s to find a way to play professionally or for a college scholarship or for a state title.
I get to work in a district where we brag about test scores. We recognize that first and foremost. In our district, we build new buildings, not stadiums. We rent a football stadium in Edmond. We need $15 million for elementary schools much more than we need it for football stadiums.
My wife loves the Yankees so I do, too. I like living with her. I love the tradition of the Boston Celtics. I’m 42 years old and growing up, I caught the end of the great players and the new great ones in all of the sports. The NBA was Larry (Bird) and Magic (Johnson) and there was nothing better to watch. Football was starting to be the media giant and the Olympics were special. There was still Friday night boxing. It was the best time.
People should recognize the student athlete. There should be more done for the ones who participate in multiple sports.
I think someday I would like to get back into coaching. I would love to coach middle school athletics. I like teaching the sport, regardless of the sport. Middle schoolers are sponges.
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