Mark Hanson, former player and current coach

1)When did you play at Gustavus? When did you start coaching?

    “I played from 1979-1983. My first year as an assistant was 1986-87.”

2)Why did you choose to come to Gustavus to play? and to coach?

   “ I looked at several DII schools as a senior in high school and then took a year off.  During that year off I visited a good number of MIAC schools and felt like Gustavus was the best fit.  [As a coach,]I was in the right place at the right time.  I was in the area when they hired Charlie Brock in 1986 and it sounded like a good option at the time.  After not getting selected as the coach when Charlie left I was fortunate to be offered the job a year later.”

3)What is your most memorable experience (or two) as a player and as a coach?

    “There are many memorable experiences with lots of great players.  It seems unfair to pick one or two out, but I suspect most Gustie supporters will always remember the final four run in 2003.”

4)How do you think the program has changed since you were a player?

    “The uniforms are lighter and longer.  Socks are shorter and no player in his right mind would wear black socks.  The facilities are dramatically better.  We used to send notes through the PO's or call their room to contact players rather than a text.  None of these things change the fact that Gusties are still Gusties.  Loyal, caring, bright and hardworking.  We have been fortunate to win a little more than when I played.”

5)What do you think has made the program so successful over the years?

    “Great kids who are passionate about the game and have worked hard to provide a winning atmosphere.  I have been fortunate to have wonderful assistant coaches and we have the best fans in the conference.”

David Flom, former player and coach

1.When did you play at Gustavus? When did you start coaching?

       “I played varsity baseball 92-95, played varsity basketball       

             92-93 season and coached at GAC from 2003-06. “

2.Why did you choose to come to Gustavus to play? and to coach?

        “I liked everything about the school and the people there.  Seemed like a perfect fit for me.
I wanted to come back and coach there because it was a tremendous opportunity to coach one of the best programs in the country (the previous year GAC played in the national championship game).  Also, being an assistant and working under Mark Hanson is unique because he gives his assistants a lot of head coaching responsibilities. “

3)What is your most memorable experience (or two) as a player and as a coach?

        “Hitting my first home run [in baseball] was memorable. Other than the competing [in games], I enjoyed the relationships with teammates (most of my current best friends are college teammates), playing cards on the bus rides, etc.  As a coach, it was winning the MIAC playoff championship my first year, because that gives you the automatic bid to the national tournament. “

4)How do you think the program has changed since you were a player?

        “A new court, obviously as I played before the tornado.  The program really took off after I left (probably a direct correlation). The number of MIAC championships, NCAA appearances, etc. ranks amongst the top in the country.  I think the quality of people at Gustavus is remarkable. The constant is Mark Hanson.  There is a system in place and the expectations are always high.  Upper classmen teach the new comers, etc. “

5)What do you think has made the program so successful over the years?

        “Gustie basketball teams always play together as a team, play solid team defense, and execute offensively at a high level.  The teams are always consistent - beat teams they should, and occasionally beat teams that they maybe shouldn't.”

Doug Espenson, former player

1) How did Gustavus compare and contrast with the other DIII basketball programs when you played?

“We finished either 1st or second in the conference all 4 years I played.  St. Thomas was the team that was either 1st or 2nd in those 4 years with us.”

2) Why did you choose to come to Gustavus to play?

“I chose Gustavus because it was close to my hometown which would make it easier for my family to watch me play.”

3) What was the most memorable moment of your run to the National Championship game? What made that team so successful?

              “My most memorable moment of our run was watching our fans file into the arena in Virginia as we watched the other final 4 game which was before ours.  The fans were great the entire run.”

4) What do you think has made the program so successful over the years?

“Gustavus has had very talented players over the years, but I believe the ability to get very hardworking and unselfish players into the program is what has made Gustavus so successful.  Coach Hanson has put together a great system and I believe the unselfishness of players shows through in how upper classmen mentor under classmen to get them up to speed on the Gustavus way. “

5) Anything else you would like to say?
“I could not have asked for a better 4 years.  Gustavus was the perfect fit for me.”