Meet NBA Coach Mike Woodson at UMKC
What can an NBA coach share with college students? He can share what it takes to succeed – the grit and determination to get through challenges, on and off the court.
The New York Knicks Coach Mike Woodson will be on campus as a special guest of the UMKC Men of Color Campus Initiative on Friday, September 13th at the Student Union Theatre from 3-5pm.
During the “Behind the Scenes: Legacy in the Making” event, Woodson will spend his time answering questions from those attending the event, which is open to all students and the community.
“Coach Woodson is a trailblazer not only in the NBA, but also in the world of business,” said Rodney Smith, Assistant Director of Academic Support and Mentoring and facilitator for the event. “Hearing his unique perspective, I think our students will be amazed – as well as inspired – by his accomplishments both on the court and off.”
Woodson served as Knicks’ interim coach for two months prior to being hired as head coach in May 2012. He has had a successful career in basketball, beginning with his days at Indiana University under coach Bob Knight where he was a two-time All-American, averaging 19.8 points in 104 career games with the Hoosiers.
His impressive career spans more than 30 years. Woodson played in the NBA for 11 years, including playing more than 786 games for the Knicks, New Jersey and Kansas City/Sacramento (1981-82 through 1985-86 seasons), LA Clippers, Houston and Cleveland. He was head coach of the Atlanta Hawks for six years, and assistant coach with Milwaukee, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Detroit. While assistant coach with the Pistons, he was one of the chief architects behind Detroit’s suffocating defense that helped the Pistons to the 2004 NBA Title.