News
A party and more for a great educator
Heather Milbrath
06/05/2012
A retirement party for Mike Forsberg was held at the Bottineau Armory on Monday, May 28. Forsberg worked at Bottineau Public Schools for 21 years.
Nearly 125 people attended this party, which included a meal, three speakers and a dance. Speaking at the event was Ed Beyer of Hillsboro, Representative Bob Hunskor of Newburg and Dan Hanson from the “North Dakota Hoopster” magazine.
Each of the three speakers spoke of their relationship with Forsberg, as well how much they admired him and his work. Hanson told the crowd how Forsberg was joining a “fossil group” of coaches. He said that most high school basketball coaches last less than five years coaching, which makes Forsberg’s 34 years seem impressive.
Beyer, who spent 37 years coaching in Hillsboro, is also a member of the “fossil group”. Forsberg came to Beyer for advice when Forsberg was just starting out as a coach.
“I told him everything I know…which wasn’t much.” Beyer said, laughing. Beyer spoke very highly of Forsberg, saying that he is “not only a great coach, but a great man”.
Hunskor also told about his history with Forsberg, recalling when Forsberg replaced him in Newburg. Newburg was just coming out of many state championships when Hunskor had to quit due to health issues, so Forsberg had big shoes to fill. Hunskor said Forsberg did well in that position, and eventually made his way to coaching in Bottineau.
Hunskor told the crowd the three important things about Forberg’s coaching tactics.
“First, Mike understood that his athletes were first and foremost human beings created by God. Second, he understood that his student athletes were part of a family placed in his care for a few hours a day. And finally, he understood that they just happened to play basketball for him.”
Although much of the focus of the party was on Forsberg’s coaching career, he is also retiring from the elementary principal position, a title he held for 16 years. Forsberg said the thing he will miss most about working at the school is being around the kids, staff, and basketball girls.
“I can’t ever remember a day where I didn’t have a good laugh because of them.” Forsberg said.
Forsberg decided it was a good time to retire because he felt he wanted more free time to spend with his grand kids. He also promised the senior girls that he would finish his career with them.
“My original plan was to retire last year, but they talked me into staying on as their coach until they were done, and I wanted to do the same with my principal job.” Forsberg said.
He also said how grateful he was that Heidi Artz, Whitney Page and Trista Bjerk talked him into staying for two more years.
“That gave me two more years of memories and I became like a sponge trying to soak up everything and lock it away in my memory.”
Forsberg still plans on substitute teaching in Fargo and Bottineau, because of his love for the kids. He remarks about his many fond memories working in Bottineau ranging from the bus trips with the basketball girls to his Kindergarten Physical Education classes.
Forsberg feels very grateful to the school board members, superintendents, parents, kids and the whole community of Bottineau.
He also is grateful for his staff saying that he worked with a lot of good ones that really care about both our children and our school.
“I have been very humbled by all the gracious accolades and thanks that have been given to me over the past couple of months and especially the last two weeks.” Forsberg said. “I still really believe that it is I who needs to be giving all the thanks to this community for the opportunities. It has been such a good stay for me here.”