Vining reaches 400
Adam Holland
Issue date: 2/25/05 Section: Campus News
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"When you work to pull everyone together for one common goal, you
can't help but succeed," Vining said. "If people wouldn't have done that for me, I probably wouldn't have gotten out of West Carroll."
Vining's long stay with the Indians has not only been good for the ULM faithful but for the Vining family as well.
Vining is married to the former Sammie Benton of Bastrop and they have
three grown children, Todd, Heather and Robin.
Todd says the fact that his father has stayed in one place has made their family life special.
"We haven't had to move around all the time like a lot of coaches' families
have to do," Todd said. "With Dad being in one place, I have grown up around Indian basketball and have been able to stay with our friends here in Monroe."
Vining said he understands the importance of staying in one place.
"I knew moving around would be tough on my family," Vining said. "The one move we made was tough on Todd and that was just from Bastrop to Monroe.
Vining not only has a reputation of being a good coach on the court, but he is also known among the ULM family of coaches for his good humor and spirit of teamwork.
He has been seen picking up trash on the side of a road, impersonating Elvis at the basketball banquet and being the ULM Indian on a horse at women's soccer games.
Lady Indians basketball coach Mona Martin said, "Mike's record says a lot for his coaching ability and what he has done for our university," adding jokingly, "even though he is not as nice of a guy as he needs to be, (by picking on me) he can still coach."
Prior to coaching at ULM, Vining coached at Bastrop High School from 1971-1978 where he compiled a record of 175-47 with six trips to the playoffs and one state title. He was an assistant coach for ULM Hall of Fame members Lenny Fant and Benny Hollis before becoming the head coach.
Career honors bestowed upon Vining include: four SLC Coach of the Year titles, two Louisiana Coach of the Year titles, and National Association of Basketball Coaches District Coach of the Year in 1996.
Vining's resume also includes a two-year stint in the United States Army, part of it spent in Vietnam.
"It is just tremendous, all the things that come with the job: the experience, the travel, the people you meet and the things you get to do and see."
can't help but succeed," Vining said. "If people wouldn't have done that for me, I probably wouldn't have gotten out of West Carroll."
Vining's long stay with the Indians has not only been good for the ULM faithful but for the Vining family as well.
Vining is married to the former Sammie Benton of Bastrop and they have
three grown children, Todd, Heather and Robin.
Todd says the fact that his father has stayed in one place has made their family life special.
"We haven't had to move around all the time like a lot of coaches' families
have to do," Todd said. "With Dad being in one place, I have grown up around Indian basketball and have been able to stay with our friends here in Monroe."
Vining said he understands the importance of staying in one place.
"I knew moving around would be tough on my family," Vining said. "The one move we made was tough on Todd and that was just from Bastrop to Monroe.
Vining not only has a reputation of being a good coach on the court, but he is also known among the ULM family of coaches for his good humor and spirit of teamwork.
He has been seen picking up trash on the side of a road, impersonating Elvis at the basketball banquet and being the ULM Indian on a horse at women's soccer games.
Lady Indians basketball coach Mona Martin said, "Mike's record says a lot for his coaching ability and what he has done for our university," adding jokingly, "even though he is not as nice of a guy as he needs to be, (by picking on me) he can still coach."
Prior to coaching at ULM, Vining coached at Bastrop High School from 1971-1978 where he compiled a record of 175-47 with six trips to the playoffs and one state title. He was an assistant coach for ULM Hall of Fame members Lenny Fant and Benny Hollis before becoming the head coach.
Career honors bestowed upon Vining include: four SLC Coach of the Year titles, two Louisiana Coach of the Year titles, and National Association of Basketball Coaches District Coach of the Year in 1996.
Vining's resume also includes a two-year stint in the United States Army, part of it spent in Vietnam.
"It is just tremendous, all the things that come with the job: the experience, the travel, the people you meet and the things you get to do and see."