Playing for Coach Meyer

About the Book

Don Meyer has been coaching the game of basketball at the collegiate level for the past 33 years, amassing more than 800 career victories at three different schools (Hamline University in Minneapolis, Minnesota; David Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee; and now at Northern State University in Aberdeen, SD). He has won a national championship, coached players that were at one point in time the all-time leaders in college basketball in points (John Pierce, Philip Hutcheson), steals (Marcus Bodie), and assists (Jerry Meyer), been inducted into five different Halls of Fame, including the NAIA Hall of Fame at the age of 47, and he was twice named NAIA National Coach of the Year (1989 & 1990). In addition, Coach Meyer was running the largest summer camps in the nation while at DLU and over 10,000 coaches have attended Coach Meyer's nationally acclaimed Don Meyer Coaching Academies which featured speakers such as John Wooden, Pat Summit, Morgan Wooten, Roy Williams, Tubby Smith, Rick Majerus and countless others.

While these accomplishments are impressive, they pale in comparison to the relationships that he has developed with his players, co-workers, and fellow coaches over the years. In this book, one of his former players, Steve Smiley, discusses his five-year journey with Coach Meyer in detail. The ups, the downs, the triumphs and the defeats are all discussed as the author attempts to show the amazing bond that Coach Meyer develops with his players and the true character of a legendary coach whom many people know nothing about. Included are over twenty pieces written by other former players, coaches, and administrators that have worked with Coach Meyer that will give you, the reader, an even deeper appreciate for the impact that Coach Meyer has had on these people's lives. Take pleasure in reading about a truly amazing teacher of basketball and life; a man that embodies the idea of servant leadership. A man simply known as Coach Meyer.

About the Author

Steve Smiley, the author of Playing for Coach Meyer, is currently living in Spearfish, South Dakota, serving as the assistant head coach and professor of International Business at Black Hills State University. Prior to moving to Spearfish, Steve lived in Laredo, Texas as he completed his Master's of Business Administration (MBA) and coached basketball as a graduate assistant at Texas A&M International University. Steve finished his playing days at NSU for Coach Meyer in the spring of 2004. Steve was a starter since his sophomore season, eventually starting 89 consecutive games for the Wolves. During his career, Steve led not only NSU but also the entire league in assists for three consecutive seasons. Steve finished second all-time at NSU in career assists with 537, and was only the second player in school history to surpass the 500-assist mark. Steve was the starting point guard for NSU teams that won the conference title during his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, Steve won the NSIC Defensive Player of the Year award, and helped to lead the Wolves to their most successful season under Coach Don Meyer (at that time). The Wolves posted a final record of 24-7, and won the conference tournament for the first time. Steve was named to the All-Tournament Team, and was also named as the NSIC Tournament MVP. Steve has been married to his wife Nikki since the summer of 2004.

steve@snsbasketball.com