The Collins family with "adopted son" Sam Atkins and their dogs Goose (silver lab) and Kakao (German shorthair.
With COVID-19 putting live sporting events on hold, the Cascade Collegiate Conference wanted to take the time to highlight families within our #ThisIsTheCCC community. Many of our member institutions have administration, coaches and student-athletes family members competing together, making the CCC truly a family affair.
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Mike and Tracy Collins moved to Lewiston, Idaho for Mike to attend graduate school at the University of Idaho and work on his Ph.D. Tracy was then hired as the head athletic trainer at Lewis-Clark State College, but little did they know they would soon become coworkers.
As part of Tracy’s responsibilities, she was an assistant coach for the cross country team. She was a track and field athlete at Boise State and was one of only a few Idaho high school girls to ever run a 100-meter in under 12 seconds. When LC State was in need of a head coach, the Warrior administration came to Tracy, but she wasn’t interested. Since Mike had been an endurance athlete and did all of his research with endurance athletes, Tracy thought her husband would be a good fit.
“I never intended on being a coach,” said Mike, who is a three-time Ironman finisher and former basketball player. “When [Tracy] asked me if I was interested, I thought it would be a good opportunity to put some of my education and research to the test.”
It seems it was a good fit as the pair have been at LC State for more than 20 years.
That wasn’t Mike’s plan however, he thought he would coach for a couple years, finish his schooling and move on to teach and do research. He didn’t plan on falling in love with coaching.
“I love the college and the community and can't imagine our path in life being any different,” said Mike. “There were some pretty challenging times in there where I was coaching, teaching 35-plus credits a year at multiple institutions and then starting a family. But it has been worth it. I never imagined myself being a college coach and even if I had, it would have been in basketball, but I believe my career has made me a better person and I hope I have had a positive influence on the people I have come in contact with.”
The Collins have definitely planted roots in the community, Mike is the Mayor of Lewiston and has been on the city council for more than six years. He also is an ordained minister and has overseen the proceedings of a few weddings, usually kids on his team that met at LCSC.
Mike and Tracy’s daughters Kassie and Emily also grew up around athletics and are both athletes as well.
“Both girls grew up in the gym with both Tracy and I at the college 50/60/70 hours a week, they had no choice,” said Mike. “They are more comfortable there than any of the athletes on campus. They are used to college athletes at our house, at family dinners, etc. They don't know life any other way. I think it has been wonderful for them to meet and get to know people from all over the country and the world. It has opened their eyes in many ways.”
Both Collins sisters followed in their mom’s footsteps, attending Lewiston High School, where Tracy still holds records.
“As the dad in this family, it has been interesting for me to be around all of my girls in relation to sports and their involvement,” said Mike. “I think both of my girls feel like they have some big shoes to step into with the histories of their parents, but I believe both have been able to make their own trails when it comes to their goals and desires. I’m just proud to see them participate and play and it has been a bonus to see them work hard to play at a higher level and contribute to the successes of their teams.”
Kassie played volleyball and ran track in high school and is currently playing volleyball at Walla Walla Community College.
“Although I think Kass has some great untapped potential as a sprinter, it has been wonderful to see her excel in volleyball and she chose to play close enough to home for us to go see her play,” said Mike. “She has another year at WWCC and then we will see what happens. I know my head assistant coach is going to be recruiting her to ‘come home’ and get back on the track, but I am sure she will go wherever she thinks that may be. Could be track or volleyball, both or neither. I would love to see her come home, but it would be fun to see her participate anywhere.”
Younger sister Emily is a high school sophomore basketball and track athlete.
“Emily is doing well and may be working to go after her mom's records, but might also be looking to set some records of her own in other events and in other sports (basketball),” said Mike. “As a former basketball player, I love the fact that she plays basketball and will undoubtedly be better than I ever was. She hopes to play sports in college. Yet to see if it will be track or basketball (maybe both) and I may have some competition recruiting her too.”
While he may have to wait to see if he can coach his daughters, Mike does get to coach with his “adopted son” Sam Atkins, who is working to qualify for the next Olympic games.
“We have unofficially adopted him into our family,” said Mike of Sam, who is pictured above with the Collins and their dogs Goose (silver lab) and Kakao (German shorthair). “He is definitely an older brother to my girls and a son to me.”
The community support from both LC State and Lewiston has also helped the Collins family through some tough times. Tracy was diagnosed with breast cancer, which has been challenging for the family.
“The college and the community was amazingly supportive of her and our family during the times that were tough,” said Mike. “My girls went through it all and got to see how much people help people. I am not sure they truly understood all that was happening, but there was a lot of love shared and it was good for them and for us.”
LC State has definitely become home to the Collins, even if that wasn’t the original plan.