LAKEVILLE, IN. – From the time he can remember, basketball has had an impact on the life of Mike Lightfoot. Lightfoot, a 1974 graduate of LaVille High School, has been around the game since he can remember. In looking back, Lightfoot had several people that were there day in and day out to guide him. From the time he attended Union-North Schools in the early days, to his time at Bethel College (University) as a player and later as a coach, someone was there to help him navigate through all the ups and downs. Following his retirement from coaching basketball in 2017, Lightfoot remained in leadership as regional director for Nations of Coaches. Just as many have done for him, he continues to give back to a sport that has given him so much. For that investment in players and other coaches, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame has selected Lightfoot the recipient of the 2023 Silver Medal Award. The recognition is presented to those for contributions to Indiana basketball other than as an Indiana high school player or Indiana High School coach. “This is really an honor for me growing up in Indiana, playing my school career in Indiana and playing my college career here in Indiana at Bethel, then coaching High school in Indiana and then Back at Bethel for 30 years as a college coach,” said Lightfoot. “This is My 6th HOF and because of my Indiana roots it is really special to me . When I saw the names like Brad Stevens and all the great players I just shook my head. What is a small town kid from Lakeville, Indiana doing in that group?” Lightfoot started his career in high school back during the Lakeville High School and Lapaz High School merge to become LaVille High School in the fall of 1965. “I grew up just as LaVille became a high school,” explained Lightfoot. “I remember the excitement of consolidation when I was in elementary school at Lakeville. It was a great time to live. All the LaVille athletes were my idols growing up. Carl Herbster, Kenny Taylor, Kenny Wiegand, and so many others made a big impression on me growing up. “I had great teachers at LaVille. All the coaches I had also taught at LaVille and they impacted my life in so many ways. Coach (Robert) Long was the assistant principal but was also my 7th grade coach. He was so strong in his faith and was the head Bethel basketball coach earlier in his career. As I got to the varsity level, Coach (Charlie) Barnum (football), Coach (Dale) Cox (baseball) and especially Coach (Steve) Longfellow (basketball) were all major influences in my life. It was the influence of Coach Longfellow who created a thought in my mind that maybe I could be a coach like him someday. It seems looking back nearly 50 years that just being able to be involved in so many activities at LaVille allowed me to grow and experience. Mr. (Jerry) Gurtner, Mr. (Gary) Nolan, Mr. (Randy) McGriff, Mr. (Earl) Richter were all part of a very good group of teachers.” Lightfoot was head men’s basketball coach at Bethel College from 1987-2017, where he led the Pilots to 794 victories. During his time, his teams won three NAIA national championships, four NCCAA national championships, two national runner-up finishes, 10 Crossroads League regular season championships and eight Crossroads League Tournament champions. He won nine National Coach of the Year and six League Coach of the Year awards. “So many amazing memories,”Lightfoot recalled when asked about his time at Bethel. “The overseas trips that we took every two years were amazing. The relationships with the players and staff over the years were memoires that I will cherish as a coach. All the great wins and great championships were amazing celebrations but being blessed to coach so many amazing young men will be my fondest memories.” Lightfoot coached the Pilots to 36 all-time No. 1 rankings, the most in NAIA Division II history, and holds the second-longest streak of being ranked in Division II poll history, a streak of 76 consecutive polls from 1992-2000. Lightfoot was the quickest NAIA men’s coach to reach 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and 700 career wins. He was an all-state player at LaVille H.S., played at Bethel for Homer Drew and was nominated for the Pete Maravich Award his senior year. He coached at Mishawaka Marian H.S. from 1978-1987. He is an inductee of the Bethel College, NCCAA, Marian H.S. and NAIA Halls of Fames. Mike graduated from LaVille High School in 1974. While a player at Bethel, Lightfoot had the opportunity to play for Tom Firestone and Homer Drew. He also recalls playing with, and coaching, some fine talent. “Coach (Tom) Firestone and Coach Homer Drew played a huge role,” said Lightfoot, a 1978 graduate of Bethel. “One of the main reasons I stayed at Bethel was the wonderful men I was able to coach including Michael Edison for 4 years. We have over 40 graduates from Bethel that are coaching basketball at some level. I was blessed to see how each of these men I coached grew and matured spiritually and professionally during their time at Bethel. My teammates I played with back in the 70’s are still some of my closest friends today.” According to Lightfoot, he played three sports at LaVille – baseball, basketball and football. He was a three-year letterman in football and baseball, along with a two-year letterwinner in basketball. He was all conference in basketball twice and selected to the all-state basketball team his junior year. During his senior year, Lightfoot was one of the top Lancer players before an unfortunate injury. “Senior year I broke my foot in the (TCU) Bi-County championship game,” recalled Lightfoot. “We lost to Plymouth in the sectional finals. It still bothers me after all of these years.” Through it all, Lightfoot feels very fortunate to play and coach. “Wonderful experiences,” the education major at Bethel said. “We were very successful and my college playing experience was really instrumental for me to be a basketball coach and hopefully impact lives like mine has been changed by coaches in my life.” When asked about what has changed in basketball since he first started playing and coaching, Lightfoot said, “The game has changed so much in the last 40 years. The three point shot, the physical play, the kids playing so much at a younger age in youth sports.” Today, Lightfoot continues to positively impact coaches through Nations of Coaches. According to Lightfoot, the organization is, “A ministry that supports College basketball coaches around the country . My wife (Jacci) and I love investing in coaches especially as they navigate the tremendous challenges at the college level.” “Basketball was created by James Naismith to build character and faith in the players he coached,” concluded Lightfoot, who has two sons – Robbie and Ryne. “That philosophy still continues when done the right way today. The game requires teamwork and discipline and character. All of those qualities were taught as a student at LaVille. As Billy Graham said, ‘A coach impacts more lives in one year than most people do in a lifetime.’”