|
Mike Erickson, entering his third year as head
coach of the Skylights, has proven that his teams can compete in the
Frontier Conference with two 3rd place finishes in the
last two years. Erickson’s Skylights teams have 43 wins and 31
losses overall and a 20-6 home stand at Northern’s Armory Gymnasium
during his two year tenure.
Erickson is a graduate of Circle High School
and earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education at Eastern
Montana College, now Montana State University Billings. He began
his career in education at Wolf Point Mt, were he taught Physical
Education and coached basketball. In his two years as head coach,
Erickson led the Wolves to consecutive state tournament berths and
accumulated a record of 54 wins and 12 losses.
Here at Northern, Erickson has in three seasons, counting the
current one, has recruited 29 student-athletes. (21 in-state and 8
others) For the 04/05 campaign Erickson welcomes back seven players
and three red shirts from last year's squad that finished 21-13 and
advanced to the semifinals of the Frontier Conference tournament in
Butte. He also adds three solid junior college transfers who he is
counting on for leadership and game experience. "The last two
years, we spent so much time just getting comfortable playing
together and finding the right combinations on the floor because we
had so much turnover," he said. "This year we return our largest
group of players since I've been here."
The legendary Skylights tradition of winning is no secret throughout
Montana and Erickson is making a point to teach his current players
the true meaning of Skylights Basketball. Under the heading
Defending Our Tradition, Erickson states,
“We intend on bringing that type of hard work, discipline,
and pride to this program that have long been its trademarks, not
only on the court but also in the classroom and in the university
and Havre communities.”.
|
With an abundance of talented and experienced guards and
exceptional post players, Erickson makes no bones about how his
team will play this season. "We should be able to play a lot more
up-tempo on both sides of the court," he said. "Everybody is
familiar with the style of play we like to play and new recruits
played the up tempo style in previous schools. We should be an
exciting, intense team to watch."
Northern’s third-year coach adds, “I really feel this
year the fans are going to see a different Skylight team from last
season. Not only because of how several of our returning players
matured over the off-season, but also because of the solid
character of every player on the team. They are quality
individuals who not only have a desire to become successful on and
off the court, but who love the Havre area and the school and who
are dedicating themselves to a return to Northern’s championship
tradition. What ever the upcoming season reveals, I feel we will
be a team that plays together, plays with enthusiasm, and plays
with Skylight Pride. We really expect to be in the run for a
conference championship and a chance to travel to the national
tournament this season." He concludes, “With the way the team and
the program are developing and with the outstanding work ethic of
all our players, on and off the court, we should give ourselves a
chance to be in a position to make a deep post-season run.”
Erickson's staff returns assistant coach Warren Quick
and adds new assistant coach Robin Bogar. Erickson, who is working
towards his Masters in Sports Administration, and his wife Janet,
a Northern graduate in nursing, look forward to raising their 3
year old daughter Journey in Havre until she too is ready to
become a part of the Skylights Tradition.
Mike's
Coaching Philosophy |
|
Warren Quick is a native of Circle, Montana and graduated from
Circle High School in 1984. He received all-state honors in
basketball, football and baseball. Warren played basketball and
baseball at the University of North Dakota-Williston where he
received MVP honors in both sports in 1986. At that time, he
pursued other interests until 1999 when he began coaching at
Circle High School.
During his
two years at Circle, the team compiled 40 wins, 12 losses and
their first state tournament appearance in Class C.
Warren is in his third year of assisting the Skylights program
after a year as a volunteer assistant for the Lights in 2001-02.
He received his Bachelor's degree in Health Promotion from Montana
State University-Northern and intends on continuing his education
towards a Masters Degree.
Warren and his wife, Jami, have a two
old daughter, Abby. The family is happy to be a part of MSU-N
and Skylight basketball.
|
Warren
Quick
Assistant Coach
(406) 265-3761 ext.
3363
wquick@msun.edu
|
|
Robin Bogar is in his first season as assistant coach with the MSU-Northern
Skylights basketball program. He will be involved in all aspects
of Skylight basketball from camps and recruiting, to aiding in
practice planning and on court instruction. Prior to joining the
Skylights, Bogar was the head coach of both the boys’ and girls’
basketball teams in Ryegate, Montana. Before Ryegate, he was the
head boy’s coach in Joliet, Montana. Bogar spends his summers
working basketball camps throughout Montana, Washington, and South
Dakota.
Bogar grew up in Vida, Montana and graduated
from Circle High School in 1998. He received a Bachelor’s of
Science Degree in Public Relations from MSU-Billings in 2003.
Bogar is currently working towards a Master of Science Degree in
Sport Management.
|
Robin Bogar
Assistant Coach
(406) 265-3761 ext.
3022
rbogar@msun.edu |
