FROM THE ARCHIVES: KATZ AT THE ‘WORLDS’
September 18, 1997
by CINDY STEINMAN
Sports Reporter
Humber’s coaching staff is one up on the competition: we have Mike Katz.
This summer, Katz, head coach of Humber’s men’s basketball team, was chosen to coach the Canadian Men’s University Basketball team at the World Student Games. Canada brought home the silver.
The tournament, held every two years, took place in Sicily. The basketball league, composed of 16 teams, offers student-athletes the chance to compete against other talented players from across the globe.
Katz was honoured to be offered such a position, especially since this was the first time a college coach had been chosen.
“For them to have chosen a college coach was personally satisfying,” said Katz. “And it helps our league and association.”
The final game against the United States definitely represented the level of skill and competitiveness of the teams in the tournament.
“This was a very good team we were playing. There were 17 lead changes, which indicates a pretty close game. But I feel good about the silver medal,” said Katz.
Some of the American players will likely end up in the NBA. Many of the Canadian team members were All-Canadians or had scholarships in the United States.
“The talent in the league is significant,” Katz noted.
He said that he couldn’t have done such a fine job without the help of two other remarkable coaches. He was assisted in Sicily by Dave Deaveiro, his assistant coach at Humber, and Peter Campbell, a Laurentian University coach.
When discussing coaching, Katz says “Players are players. They have the same tendencies, desires and attitudes. They all want to win.”
And Katz is no stranger to success. He has coached Humber College to four national championships in the past six years. He has also had three years’ experience with the Canadian National Team.
Will all this experience help Katz bring something to Humber’s team? Katz believes it’s the other way around.
