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Coaches' Corner
NABC JUCO Reports
February 8, 2001 By Tony Jimenez OSU trajedy claims son of Northern Oklahoma coach; Jared Weiberg among those who will be missed Just over 20 years ago, back in the day when the Wichita State basketball program was living large....in the days of Antoine Carr and Xavier McDaniel and being nationally ranked, a fresh face - Kevin Weiberg - arrived in the Sports Information office. He remains to this day, in my book, the best SID Wichita State has ever had. Courteous, always willing to help and very aware of the media's needs, it was obvious Kevin, who was at Wichita State, 1980-87, was going places. And he did; today he is the Commissioner of the Big 12 Conference. Not long after that I met Kevin's brother Mick, the coach at Northern Oklahoma juco in Tonkawa. During the past two decades it's been hard to figure which one's the better guy; but make no mistake, they are cut from the same cloth: professional to the hilt when it comes to hoops and as personable as humanly possible off away from the game. That's why there was a collective gasp emanating from every college athletic department in the country in late January when word got out that an airplane carrying Oklahoma State players and athletic department officials, on its way back from from a game with Colorado, had crashed near Denver. Among those who perished was Jared Weiberg, 22, an OSU student manager, who played for his father Mick at Northern Oklahoma juco and was Kevin's nephew. Mick got to coach Jared at a special time, when Northern Oklahoma played in the 1998 National JC Athletic Association tournament; it was the school's first appearance in the tournament. Through their daily endeavors, Kevin and Mick know countless people. Talk to any of them and you will no doubt get the same picture painted. They will tell you that Kevin and Mick, first and foremost, are good human beings. Some thoughts of Mick from his colleagues: "My heart goes out to Mick because he is one of the finest coaches in the game today. When you lose a son there is nothing like it. We lost a son years ago, when he was 18 months old. When I heard about this it really hit pretty close to home. When one of your good friends loses a son...but there were 10 people who lost their lives...it's just an all-time tough thing that happens to people."
"Living in the state of Oklahoma, I sat up the night news of the crash came on and watched it on TV. Jared's name was one of the last ones that came across the screen. I anticipated seeing that before the night was over...I hoped not, but did. Of course, Jared played for his father and we referred to him as the screened. There was nothing negative there. He did what he needed for his team to be successful and that's kind of the way he was with the things that he did in his life. That's a direct reflection of Coach Weiberg himself."
"I've know him for 20 years, when he was coaching at Connors State (Okla.) and I was at Barton County (Kans.). I've always known him to be a class individual. He is an excellent coach and a quality person. I sent Mick a note...I know it has to really, really tough for him. He is really close to both of his sons, Brett and Jared, who both played for him in junior college. They come from a basketball family. I can't imagine what it would be like because I know I have two sons like he does and I know it would be tough to handle something like that."
"I have shared my concern and regrets with him for his family. It's just hard to come up with words in a situation like this. There are a lot of people in this profession, including myself, who have a lot of admiration for what he stands for and the kind of job he does. He represents integrity in this business and sometimes as coaches we get away from that. His family is an outstanding group of people. He has three boys and I have two. One of mine has played for me and two of his has played for him. I know Mick feels like he lost not only a son but his best friend. It's a tremdous tragedy to see such a young person lose their life at such a young age. The typical question you always ask is why this happened...but obviously we are not able to answer those questions earth-wise. We do not understand those things. I shared with Mick my concern for he and his family and his reply was to love our kids every day. We need to hug them because there comes a day and time we will not get that opportunity. You really realize how unimportant this sport is when it's gauged against something like that."
"The memorial service was very moving...very emotional. It really puts basketball in prospective. When I walked away I realized how precious life it and how it can change so suddenly. I know Coach Weiberg is struggling with this and will do so the rest of this life, but he is a strong person."
"I've known Mick since I moved here in 1975. He has always been someone who personified class. He is considered by a lot of people one of the finest juco coaches around. He is someone who had more than a basketball team, he had a program. He expected his kids to perform well in the classroom and get their AA degree. He is someone who I have a great respect for."
"I don't think anyone can tell you how Mick really feels. It will be very difficult to come back, but if anyone can do it, it is Mick. He's always been one of the true leaders not only in junior college basketball, but in basketball in general. He'll find a way to do what is best for him and his program."
"Coach and his family are doing a lot better. Everybody is starting to piece things back together to try and have a normal life. It will take awhile for things to really, if ever, come back. Jared was close to several of our players. They all knew him because he came back and watched our games. And he worked our camps, too. It's been pretty tough. Our first game back (Feb. 3) after it happened we lost (in overtime to Carl Albert, 84-83). Coach was not there, but we did everything we could to win the game. Our players have done a good job of sticking together, of fighting their way through this. It's been a long week."
"It definitely weighs heavily on the hearts of all the coaches in our state. It affects the whole state of Oklahoma. It certainly puts things in perspective. I have coached against him and his two sons (Brett, an assistant coach at Texas-San Antonio, and Jared, a player at Northern Okahoma for his father Mick). They are just like their dads, they are great competitors. Before a game they are always first class. When you play them they are hooked up and ready to give you their best. After the game they are always first class again. Our thoughts and prayers go to the entire Weiberg family at a time like this. Hopefully, Mick will know how much he is appreciated and loved in the state of Oklahoma."
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