This Thursday, CMU, along with the Grand Valley community, will have the opportunity to hear one of the most successful and well-respected men in the world of college basketball.

Don Meyer, who has compiled 923 career victories as a D2 and NAIA men’s coach, will be coming to campus to host a leadership and motivational speaking seminar.

Although his illustrious coaching career is already enough to make his opinion respected, Meyer’s experiences with hardship and perseverance transcend him to a higher level of admiration.

Junior College World Series chairman Jamie Hamilton, who was responsible for bringing Meyer to CMU, explained that hearing Meyer speak is the next best thing to hearing the late, coaching legend John Wooden.

“If you never got to hear John Wooden speak before his passing, you need to hear Don Meyer speak in your lifetime,” Hamilton said.

Meyer’s battle to defeat cancer and deal with the effects of a devastating car crash has made him an inspiration to coaches, players and fans. He has been awarded by both ESPN and the NCAA for several lifetime achievements and is a member of 10 national Halls of Fame.

Meyer retired during the 2009-10 season because of health concerns and began touring the country as a motivational speaker. He recently visited Grand Junction this summer as the keynote speaker at the Junior College World Series Banquet. According to Hamilton, the presentation Meyer put together was incomparable to any other speaker to pass through Grand Junction.

“The comments I received from people who had attended past banquets claimed that Meyer’s speech was, by far, the most motivational, inspirational and entertaining ever done at a JUCO banquet,” Hamilton said. “We are very pleased that someone of his caliber is going to be here in Western Colorado.”

Meyer’s speeches focus on the traits necessary to be a strong leader in today’s world. Topics like perseverance, integrity, time management and overcoming adversity are all subjects that Meyer is well versed in and shares with the public in a powerful way.

CMU assistant athletic director Kristen Mort explained that even though the event is being held on campus, it is not tailored only for students.

“The conference is for anybody who is interested in establishing leadership skills,” Mort said. “It’s for school teachers, coaches, young employees, and anyone who is in a leadership or supervising role.”

Community members as well as students are encouraged to attend the seminar on Sept. 5. Tickets are $75 dollars, including lunch and related materials.

mfreter@mavs.coloradomesa.edu