Milestone as Coach Emory Hits 300 Wins

February 03, 2020

Thursday, January 30, was not only a win for the Bluejay basketball team, but it also marked the 300th win for head coach Mike Emory. 

Win number 300 came with a 55-31 defeat of Mid State Conference opponent Crofton.

Coach Emory’s first win came in the first game of the season in December 2001 when the Bluejays beat West Point 47-36. Prior to becoming the head coach in the fall of 2001, Emory had served as an assistant basketball coach at Pierce. 

Current assistant coach Tim Waldner said Emory “studies hard in the offseason, watches film, looks at different plays and goes to clinics” to continue his success. 

Even as the game has evolved, one thing has remained a constant for Pierce, having a base of man defense. Waldner said, “Our kids work hard and that’s a constant,” which has added to the success for not just Emory but the entire Pierce program.

Waldner also noted, “Technology has changed in the last ten plus years, but Coach Emory loves watching film and works to get better at his craft.”

Travis Test, a player from the 2001-02 team that Emory coached said his best memory was “going to state basketball before we were in high school. He planted the idea that we could get there some day. Coach Emory has had success across multiple sports for a reason. He stresses the details of the fundamentals which results  in his teams reaching their potential.”

Former player Lane Rohrich, who went on to play at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, had this to say about Coach Emory, “What I remember most about Coach Emory is his passion for the game. Spectating from the stands, you’ll hear him yelling out plays, directing players, and much more. Coach does not beat around the bush at all either— tough love would be a suitable term for my time at PHS. He would often yell at me for the mistakes that I would make on the court, but during these times, he taught me so much. He taught me how to understand the game of basketball, how to handle constructive criticism, and how life does not beat around the bush. Looking back, I remember getting angry for being “yelled” at. I was a high schooler that “knew it all”. But what I could not see is him setting me up for the real world. I played at the next level thanks to Coach Emory. He let me in the gym during early mornings, on the weekends, and even on holidays. He was always pushing me to reach my potential as a basketball player and a person.  Without him as my high school coach, I would not have been able to play 4 years of college basketball. People who understand the game of basketball realize how lucky Pierce is to have a guy with that knowledge leading the charge.” 

Former player and University of Nebraska at Kearney basketball player Max Froehlich had this to say about Emory as a coach, “Coach Emory is someone that I will always look up to and was lucky to call him coach. It is hard to think of Pierce basketball and not have Coach Emory be one of the first things to come to mind. His commitment to the little kid’s camp, club teams, and high school basketball is as good as any in the state. As long as he is coaching, I know Pierce has a chance to win.” 

Froehlich said what he learned most from Coach Emory was “his preparation and attention to detail. No matter who we were playing, he always made sure we were ready. This is something that transferred into college and everyday life for me.”

Rohrich also added, “Congrats on your 300th win, Coach. I cannot thank you enough for everything.”

Test summed up his thoughts on Emory’s 300th win by saying, “Congratulations to him. Pierce is lucky to have a coach of his caliper.”