Lakeland’s Athletic Director, Scott Barlow, has announced the hiring of Mike Hunter as the new head men’s basketball coach. He will replace long-time head coach Terry Bowe, who became the VP of Human Resources at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College.

Barlow states, “Mike is a talented and experienced coach that I have confidence in to lead the Laker basketball program. His value system with academics and athletics are a great match and I look forward to working with him as he leads the program to even higher levels of success.” Barlow continues, “I would also like to thank Terry Bowe for his time at Lakeland and wish him luck in his new position at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods. The program has risen to high levels under his leadership in large part to his efforts and so I appreciate his work and most importantly, his friendship.” 

Hunter’s History

• 2009-13 Heidelberg University (DIII) – Assistant Coach – reached conference championship 2011
• 2013-14 Goshen University (DII NAIA) – Assistant Coach – 10 game improvement in one year and coached two players that turned pro
• 2015-16 Urbana Universuty (D2) – Assistant Coach – most victories since transitioning to D2 at that time; reached post season for the first time in 2015-16; coached a player that turned pro
• 2017-19 Shawnee State (DI NAIA) – Associate Head Coach – coached freshman and defensive player of the year
• 2019-20 Lakeland Community College – Assistant Coach – OCCAC and Region Champions; coached player of the year
• 2021     Lakeland Community College – Named Head coach

Upon accepting the position, Coach Hunter commented “I would like to thank Cathy Bush, Scott Barlow, and Lakeland Community College as a whole for their support and for providing me this opportunity. I would also like to thank former Head Coach Terry Bowe for his guidance and assistance during the transition process and my wife Kerrie James-Hunter for her support. I am excited for the upcoming season and am looking forward to continuing the winning Laker tradition.”

Coach Hunter will replace Terry Bowe, Laker head coach for the past 18 years. Highlights from Coach Bowe’s tenure include:

• 310-211 (.595) Most wins in Lakeland history
• OCCAC Conference Champions 2010, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2020
• Region 12 Champions 2011, 2012, 2015, 2019, 2020
• NJCAA finishes
  • 2011 Elite Eight
  • 2012 Final Four
  • 2015 Fifth place
  • 2019 Elite Eight
  • 2020 Qualifier – Tourney cancelled due to COVID

Bowe comments, “The time that was afforded to me at Lakeland changed my life.  There are so many individuals and collective teams that supported our program and helped us achieve so much.  It has been an unbelievable ride.  To all of my players and assistants – I truly thank you for making my time at Lakeland memorable.  I would like to thank Scott Barlow, the Board of Trustees, and Dr. Beverage for all of the support over the years.

The program has a solid foundation and I am certain that Mike Hunter will take that foundation and make it his own and supersede the accomplishments that are already in place.  He is a man of high character, wisdom, and integrity and I am proud to call my successor a great friend.  He will do great.”

https://athletics.lakelandcc.edu/general/2020-21/releases/20210407mubvp8