By David Grossman for Ontario University Athletics

There is life after coaching.
 
Just ask Mike Havey.
 
For him, it has happened twice – once in Alberta and later in Ontario.
 
Havey got hooked on the game of basketball many years ago and would adapt, with experience, opportunity, and knowledge, from a player to a coach and then to an outstanding sports administrator. There was also a time when his aspirations, maybe because he was a fan (and still is) of the Boston Celtics, included coaching at the professional level.
 
A native of Arnprior, a community about an hour from the Canadian capital, Havey went on to study at the University of Ottawa. He also found time to play some hoops for the university's varsity team, the Gee-Gees, where he described his role as a journeyman player, a contributor. Those are his words, not mine.
 
Having earned a Bachelors' degree in Physical Education, and later adding a Masters in both Phys Ed and Administration, Havey knew he had the knowledge and the credentials to tackle challenges of something bigger.
 
It was after some voluntary coaching with the university basketball program and working with Sport Canada on a special project in advance of the 1988 Olympics, that Havey had the urge to look for something more arduous and maybe grandiose.
 
At age 27, Havey landed his first paid coaching gig.
 
He responded to an opening for a coach at Medicine Hat College, an accredited educational institution of under 10,000 students and a member of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association. Havey would go on to earn the respect from advisors and the governing body and would later add the paramount responsibilities of being an Athletic Director to his portfolio.
 
Then came 1991.
 
It was a year when Havey was looking for something more elaborate. That year, the Chicago Bulls won the National Basketball Association (NBA) championship. Duke had earned bragging rights as the top hoops team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Havey, with assistance from contacts, had heard about an opportunity to coach basketball at the University of Windsor.
 
Havey would go on to be that guy.
 
A golden opportunity was there, in the automotive capital of Canada. For him, the engine he needed to get going, was on the hardwood. Yet, with 13 years as head coach, the Lancers would reach the post season just twice.
 
"I started to get frustrated, after many years with basketball, and I knew there had to be a change," said Havey. "There are a lot of lessons you learn in sport – and not everything is a championship banner."
 
"For me, it was also about helping students learn to develop their skills and interest in various sports. To make sure they were doing well on the academic side and knowing there was a life after university – just as there was for me, after coaching."
 
Havey would transition to a different kind of coach – one that would also assume the role of the university's Associate Director of Athletics in 2004. For the next nine years, he would add a gamut of responsibilities and focus on ways to give students a memorable experience outside the academic classroom.
Opening its doors as the Roman Catholic Assumption College in 1857, the school would change in 1962 from a historic Roman Catholic university to a non-denominational provincial university.
 
In 2014, Havey would also see changes. This time, with former Athletic Director Gord Grace leaving to become Chief Marketing Officer with Canadian Interuniversity Sport (rebranded to USports in 2016), it was Havey who would again assume the role of Athletic Director. This time with the University of Windsor.
 
"I had to keep the spark going, and while I enjoyed watching our students and coaches compete, this job also had to take on the role of telling people they can no longer be involved," he said. "There were times when I needed to get involved in disciplinary situations. It can hurt, it's not easy and sometimes painful. There are times, when you have to manage change, for the betterment of people and the program."
Three decades after walking into the U of Windsor (make that an incredible 31 years to be more precise) and Havey is leaving. This time, he can look forward to reminiscing about the many challenging times throughout a superb and admirable career that is not always measured in wins, losses, and championship hardware.
 
Many great moments were in the gym, the pool, ice rink, and on the field at an educational institution – one that he's often referred to as his home away from home.
 
But the time has come for Havey to make another move. This time, it's about retirement ,having accomplished a great deal as the boss of a department that has raised the spotlight on athletes, coaches, volunteers, alumni and the community-at-large.
 
For him, memories include 2014 – a year when the Lancers were the talk of the town having won the Canadian championship in women's basketball and track and field as well as Ontario's Queen's Cup in men's hockey.  Then, in 2019, Havey would expand athletics staff to include new fulltime paid coaches in four sports.
 
As he departs, one of his greatest projects was rolling out a massive $73 million improvement to athletic facilities that includes the Toldo Lancer Centre, a massive revamping that involved in financial cooperation from students, administration, and the community.
 
Talk with Havey, and he'll share some interesting stories about his education, life as an athlete, and that important work experience.
 
Clearly, what resonates is his passion for working in the world of amateur sport. Loaded with energy, wisdom, and inspiration, Havey is appreciative of building a respectful working relationship with staff.
 
"It was always about looking for ways to add something special for students in the areas of athletics and recreation," said Havey. "I knew they would eventually leave with a great education, but I wanted them to have had an opportunity to ease some of the stress with studies with an assortment of activities that suited their interests."
 
Havey knows that being an Athletic Director can also be a challenging business.
 
"The formula for success comes down to a combination of factors," said Havey. "You need top notch facilities, great coaching and a staff who are focussed, patient and determined to create an atmosphere that benefits students. Sure, we want to win, too. We have to remember that winning is achievable in many ways."
 
 
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada's major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations. He is also the recipient of the 2018 OUA Media of Distinction Award and the 2021 USPORTS Fred Sgambati Media Award.