When Mike Lightfoot ‘78 was the head coach of the Bethel University men’s basketball team, he had a simple saying for his players. “I don’t have a guy for four years, I have him for 40.” So with that belief, it’s not a big surprise to see that 39 of Lightfoot’s former players are currently involved in coaching basketball, following in the footsteps of their former coach, as Lightfoot once did for his own Bethel coach, Homer Drew. “It’s something that really started with Homer because a lot of guys wanted to be like coach Drew,” Lightfoot admits. “It’s just a thrill to see guys I coached impacting schools and churches. It makes me feel good to know I played a small role in their career.” Two of those former Pilots won state championships while coaching in Indiana. Mark Galloway ‘96 led Culver Academy to a title, while Jason Groves ‘98 did the same at Triton. And of course, Jody Martinez ‘90 won six NCCAA titles as the head women’s coach at Bethel after playing for Lightfoot at both Mishawaka Marian High School and then at Bethel. A total of five Bethel graduates — Galloway, Groves, Jack Edison ‘67, Pete Smith ‘83 and Travis Hannah ‘96 — have won state basketball titles in Indiana. “For a little Christian school, that’s a pretty amazing statistic,” Lightfoot says. Two of Lightfoot’s former players coach less than 20 miles from campus. Barak Coolman ‘00 is at Penn High School in Mishawaka, while Michael Edison ‘99 is at LaVille High School in Lakeville. Both admit to learning a lot as a coach and a man, from Lightfoot. “The biggest thing I’ve carried forward from Coach Lightfoot is his emphasis on relationships — investing in the player as a person, not just a basketball player,” Coolman says. “Coach Lightfoot taught me to show my players how much I care about and believe in them, and to focus on developing deep, meaningful connections. I would not be the man or the coach I am today without the time I spent with Coach Lightfoot and the relationship we built.” Edison, who helped the Pilots win two NAIA national titles, talked about bringing Lightfoot’s passion to his own coaching. “Coach Lightfoot was an extremely passionate coach,” Edison says. “He never did anything halfheartedly, but rather gave it his all every single day. Coach always impressed me with the way he prepared for games and his commitment to excellence in everything he did.” Edison also spoke on the influence Lightfoot has had on his life. “Coach has been a tremendous influence,” Edison says. “He is someone I can reach out and talk to if I need to. He cares about people at a deep level. He is an amazing man who has had a huge impact on so many former players. If I can have half of the impact on people that he has had then I will consider myself successful!” Now, nearly 40 years since he started coaching in 1987, Lightfoot’s influence continues to impact a third generation of players through the coaches he mentored as students. BY: Ken Fox A LEGACY OF SUCCESS, BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS Top Left: Lightfoot huddles with his team, including Michael Edison #10, who would go on to coach at LaVille High School. Top Right: Lightfoot coaches the 2017 team on the day the basketball court in Gates Gymnasium was named “Mike Lightfoot Court.” Bottom Left: Jody Martinez, who played under Lightfoot, is shown coaching Bethel University Women’s Basketball. Above: Lightfoot hugs Caleb Oetjen ‘17, who now coaches for Arizona Christian University. 6 BETHELUNIVERSITY.EDU/MAGAZINE
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