Bundy succumbs to cancer

Mike Bundy, the charismatic coach who used his considerable wit and will to build North Idaho College’s cross country and track and field programs into prominence, died at his home last Thursday from prostate cancer. He was 64.

Bundy’s influence on student-athletes stretched across all facets of life.

“He’d have something at the start of every practice,” said Roxanne (Jantz) Brown, who competed for NIC from 1986-88. “We’d be stretching and he’d always say something quirky or philosophical that left us giggling or wondering what he meant.”

A memorial service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Lake Coeur d’Alene Room in the Student Union Building.

Bundy, who coached and taught at NIC for more than 30 years, relished the relationships he built with his athletes.

“He was truly more concerned about a kid doing his best as opposed to winning,” former NIC athletic director Rolly Williams said. “I remember one time at a regional meet he was all excited because this kid threw the shot 39 feet or something and I was like, ‘Well, that’s not very good.’ And he said, ‘That’s the best he’s ever thrown.’ “

Bundy, who arrived at NIC in 1971, coached numerous All-Americans and guided the women’s cross country team to the 1987 NJCAA championship. He brought in athletes from at least 15 countries. He stepped down as head coach in 1998.

“The guy commanded respect and he was like a father figure for a lot of us,” said Lewis Watkins, who competed for Bundy from 1984-87 and followed Bundy as NIC’s head coach until the programs were cut in 2002. “One thing I was able to convey to him before he passed away is that he was always a powerful and influential coach, but he was probably the best teacher I ever had.

“We would be on bus rides… from Trivial Pursuit games to conversations about philosophy and life, he didn’t take himself too seriously when it came to being a track coach, but he took it very seriously when it came to teaching.”

Brown said Bundy often downplayed his coaching ability.

“I ran at NIC and went to Linfield and finished at Montana so I was able to be around several coaching styles,” Brown said. “I don’t think I’ve met a coach that cares about the person – running aside – as much as he does.

“He was the best coach I had. He had the ability to sense when to pull back and he knew what each athlete needed. He was an A-1 person and a phenomenal coach.”