- Unexpected news jolts open gym session - April 29, 2018
About 35 basketball players had just closed out an open gym session when word spread: Mick Durham, head coach of UAF men’s team had resigned.
“Durham has taken the job at Montana State Billings,’ announced Assistant Coach Bobby Howard, rushing in with the message. We don’t know what the coaching situation be like next year at the moment, I’ll keep you updated.’
That open session, the last Thursday of March, had been open to the community, attracting enough players for seven teams of five players, walk-in spectators from other sports, even a few university faculty. The very first and very last game played to a score of 15 and any games in between played to nine, every two-pointer counted as one point and every three-pointer counted as two points. To keep everyone involved, any team that won three games in a row, had to sit the next out, then take on the winner.
“I love coming to their open gyms,’ said Emily Moorhead, a member of the women’s volleyball team. “These guys always play with edge and swagger and it’s just entertaining to watch.’
She brought a number of classmates. “I didn’t think coming here would be so fun to watch,’ said women’s volleyball player Markie Miller, “but it was actually pretty enjoyable.’
Whether it was the dunking in between games, or the crossovers that left opposing players clueless, the atmosphere of the gym was electric and amusing.
Then came the news about coach.
Silence fell over the gym as message bearer Howard began walking out.
“I would’ve never guessed it,’ junior point guard Davis Kimble said. “He (Durham) never seemed as if he didn’t like it here. I’m just appalled that he took the job a day after they offered him, and didn’t even tell us himself.’
Looking around the gym, hurt showed in several Nanook faces.
A month later, and still no sign of a new head coach for the current Nanooks. Assistant Coach Bobby Howard also took the position to work alongside Durham. Durham was nothing short of a great coach for the Alaska Nanooks. Durham coached for the Nanooks for 7 consecutive seasons, leading the Nanooks to 3 conference tournament appearances. A part of him will always reside within the hearts of the Fairbanks community.
“Although throughout the season we had our ups and downs,’ junior guard Amenofis Mitchell said, “he was still a great coach, taught me a number of lessons, and helped me better my game.’ The current Nanooks are still on the prowl for a new head coach. Several interviews have been assembled, but no news yet on any decisions being made.
