Sanderson Approaches
Coaching Milestone
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by Dwight Turner When the Ardmore Tigers take to the hardwood Friday night at Clements, the Tigers will be playing with an added incentive. Not only will the Varsity Boys’ Team be competing against a county rival, they will also be participating in a milestone game in Head Coach Mike Sanderson’s 20-year career. Friday night’s contest against the Colts will mark Sanderson’s 500th Varsity Boys’ game. “I really don’t want to make a big deal out of 500 games,” said Sanderson with his trademark humility. “This is really about the kids, not about me.” Sanderson, a 1978 graduate of Giles County High School, began his coaching career as an assistant at Martin Methodist in 1986. Sanderson then moved on to Culleoka High School for the 1987-88 season, before coming to Ardmore for his first coaching stint in 1989. Sanderson coached a wide age group during his early years with the Tigers, including the Middle School teams, the Junior Varsity teams, and the Varsity Girls. |
Coach Mike Sanderson |
“I really got to work with all ages at the beginning,” said Sanderson. “I learned a lot by getting down in the trenches with the younger kids.”
Sanderson left AHS after five years, taking on coaching duties at Lincoln County High School. He returned to Ardmore for the 1997-98 season.
Sanderson is quick to give his players credit for providing the highlights of his long career.
“The kids at Ardmore have been super,” said Sanderson. “They are the real highlight of my tenure as a coach. The parents have also been great and the community has been very supportive of our efforts. My fellow coaches have added a great deal to my positive experience here as well, along with the school administrators. Ardmore is a great place to be.”
Sanderson’s early years with the Tigers were a challenge.
“True fans of Ardmore basketball know where things stood when I started,” recall Sanderson. “We had to build on a team that went 3-21 the year before I came. With a lot of hard work and dedication, the kids went on from there to becoming a legitimate 3A contender. They won an area championship and were consistently in the county finals.”
Sanderson states that it is hard to pick out any specific years that were most meaningful, but does state that the 1991-92 team was special.
“That team went 18-13,” said Sanderson fondly. “The seniors on that team were sophomores when the Tigers went 3-21, so that was a special accomplishment for them. We went on to make the county finals, losing to West Limestone by only two points.”
Taking on the reins of the Varsity Boys’ program in 1998-99, Sanderson set about teaching the fundamentals of the game, as well as stressing teamwork and cooperation. His dedication paid off. The Tigers compiled a 24-5 record and won a crucial sub-regional game over Colbert County. Ardmore was ranked as high as fourth in the state 3A rankings during that season.
Another great year for Sanderson was 2000-01. The Tigers fired out of the gate, going 11-0 and garnering the No. 1 state ranking in the initial poll of the season. In 2003-04, the Tigers won the area championship and Sanderson has continued to stress the importance of fundamentals and teamwork.
“I have tried to instill a love for the game in the kids I have coached,” remarked Sanderson. “Kids these days don’t have the same passion for the game that we had when I was playing. You can’t teach passion, but you can be an example by being organized and teaching fundamentals to the players. I try to instill good habits and discipline in the players, traits that will help them become successful both on and off the court. One thing that I am proud of is the fact that many of our players have been great students, as well as solid players. That’s what makes this job so rewarding.”
Sanderson states that his career goals include staying in Ardmore and helping the Tigers become consistent winners in Class 4A.
If his past accomplishments are any indication, Sanderson and the Tigers will achieve that goal with style and pride.
Congratulations, Coach!