Athletics

- Head Coach -

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Coaching at LCC:

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Ervin Brunson is entering his 16th season as the Lady Stars Head Basketball Coach. Under Coach Brunson's leadership, the Stars have won three MCCAA State Championships in 1992-93, 1998-99, 2005-06, and were MCCAA State runners-up in 1993-94, 1996-97. Coach Brunson has also won Region XII Coach of the Year (1992-93). In 1996, he was named District "D" Division II Coach of the Year, and brought home the Division II NJCAA National Championship. He was also voted National Coach of the Year (1996). The Lady Sars were runners-up in the Region XII championship in 2008, and have numerous NJCAA All-Americans. Brunson's current record is 265-197.

Coach Brunson has attracted regional and national talent for the Lady Stars. Many four-year colleges and universities have visited LCC's campus. Former players under Brunson have gone on to play at St. Johns, Central Michigan, Livinston College, Feris State Universiy, Universiy of Houston, and many other NCAA and NAIA colleges. Brunson has coached numerous All-Conference and All-Region players as well. "I believe the foundation of academic success leads to a positive influence. It has for a lifetime on our student-athletes. I understand high expectations. I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue the success that has been built here at Lansing Community College.

THERE IS GREATNESS ALL AROUND YOU--USE IT!!!

There are many people who could be Olympic Champions, All-Americans who have never tried. I'd estimate five million people could have beaten me in the pole vault the years I won it, at least five million. Men that were stronger, bigger and faster than I was could have done it, but they never picked up a pole, never made the feeble effort to pick their legs off the ground trying to get over the bar.

Greatness is all around us! It's easy to be great because great people will help you. What is fantastic about all the conventions I go to is that the greatest in the business will come and share their ideas, their methods and their techniques with everyone else. I have seen the greatest salesmen open up and show young salesmen exactly how they did it. They don't hold back. I have also found it true in the world of sports.

I'll never forget the time i was trying to break Dutch Warmerdan's record. I was about a foot below his record, so I called him on the phone. I said "Dutch, can you help me? I've seemed to level off; I can't get any higher." He said, "Sure, bob, come on up to visit me and I'll give you all I got." I spent three days with the master, the greatest pole vaulter in the world. For three days, Dutch gave me everything that he'd seen. There were things that I was doing wrong and he corrected them. To make a long story short, I went up eight inches. That great guy gave me the best that he had. I've found that sports champions and heroes willingly do this just to help you become great.

John Wooden has a philosophy that every day he is supposed to help someone who can never reciprocate; that's his obligation.

When in college working on his Masters' Thesis on scouting and defensive football, George Allen wrote up a 30 page survey and sent it out to the great coaches in the country. Eighty-five percent answered it completely.

Great people will share, and that is what made George Allen one of the greatest football coaches in the world. Great people will tell you their secrets. Look for them, call them on the phone or buy their books. Go where they are, get around them, talk to them. It is easy to be great when you get around great people.

Bob Richards, Pole Vaulter - Two Time Gold Medalist