Bernstein honors Sparby at ‘Gratitude Night’ in Oklee
Tue, 02/28/2017 - 10:17am
admin
Mitch Bernstein, a 1992 Grygla graduate, says his former basketball coach was a positive influence in his life. “I probably wouldn’t have gone into coaching if it wasn’t for him,” Bernstein revealed.
That coach, who had an impact on Mitch, is Steve Sparby, who was recognized at a special event in Oklee last week.
Red Lake County Sheriff Mitch Bernstein coaches the RLCC Mustangs girls JV basketball team. The team held a special event last Thursday, February 23rd, called ‘Gratitude Night.’ Each JV and Varsity girls basketball player, along with their coaches, were asked to invite someone to the game who had inspired them; someone other than a relative. The special recognition event was an idea of Mark Bagaason, RLCC head coach for the girls varsity team. Bagaason was an assistant women’s basketball coach at Bemidji State, where they did ‘Gratitude Night’ there. It proved to be a success so Bagaason coordinated a similar occasion for the RLCC athletes.
The event was held in conjunction with the RLCC Mustangs last home game against Bagley. (They ended up getting the win, too!) Each special guest was invited to attend the game with free admission. Afterwards, they were each introduced to the crowd. 2 coaches and 19 players (between JV/V) invited their special guests to be recognized on the gym floor that evening.
Mitch says, “We were asked to select someone who has had an impact on us. Steve immediately came to mind as someone who has been a positive influence in my life. He was my JV basketball coach and assistant coach when I was on varsity. He was always demanding, but in the most positive way. To this day, I enjoy running into him and being around him.”
When asked what one thing Mitch does with his JV team that Sparby did with his, Mitch replied, “I connect with my players personally. That was one of Steve’s gifts; it’s important to me and I’m trying to pass that same thing on.”
Mitch and his wife, Krista, have two daughters. Their eldest, Julia, plays on the varsity team and also was asked to invite a special guest she was grateful for; she invited her 2nd grade teacher, Penni Nelson.