Feature Friday: head men's basketball coach Brad Bjorkgren
Get to know Simpson head men's basketball coach, Brad Bjorkgren, in our latest edition of Feature Friday. Bjorkgren recently completed his fifth season coaching the Storm on the heels of qualifying for the conference tournament for the fifth-straight year.
In what city/state did you grow up in?
• Manning, Iowa
What college(s) did you attend?
• Wayne State (Neb.) before transferring to Simpson College
Favorite professional sports team(s)?
• Boston Red Sox — went to Fenway Park on our honeymoon!
Favorite athlete?
• Larry Bird, Aaron Rodgers and Mookie Betts; they are all winners!
Items you can't live without?
• Car — would be tough to get to work on time by walking
Favorite vacation spot?
• Any place warm
Favorite spot on campus?
• Pfeiffer Dining Hall — food is great and love the conversation
Favorite thing about Simpson?
• I really love the fact that everyone that works at Simpson College wants what is best for each student. All students that attend Simpson have plenty of mentors to help them reach their academic, career and athletic goals.
Family?
• A beautiful wife of 29 years, Michele, and our two sons, Jacob (27) and Ben (22)
What would you be doing if you were not coaching?
• Pit boss at a Las Vegas casino
Best athletic moment?
• Simpson College men's basketball team winning the American Rivers Conference championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in the near future.
Who would play you in a movie?
• Pit Bull
One thing people don't know about you?
• Tried out for All-State Chorus in high school.
Hobbies outside of coaching?
• Playing golf, watching spring baseball, traveling and reading the beginning of books...
Role model(s) and why?
• Coaching — Jim Valvano — really liked his coaching style and then his "don't ever give up" attitude
• Personal — my mom and dad — they were caring, supportive and they loved me unconditionally. I always hoped to be that type of parent for my sons.
