ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GARTH A. PLEASANT  is professor of sports management at Rochester College. Pleasant received his bachelor’s degree in health, physical education and recreation from Lipscomb University and his master’s degree in sports administration from Wayne State University. He has been faculty at Rochester College since 1971 and has served the college in many capacities, including Director of Housing, Dean of Students, Director of Athletics and Men’s Basketball Coach for 38 years before retiring in 2011. His teams amassed 720 wins and four national championships during his career. 

Pleasant was selected to the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Hall of Fame in 2008, the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Legends Hall of Fame in 2017, and the Rochester College Hall of Fame in 2017. He is also a member of the North Oakland Baseball Federation Hall of Fame and Carman Ainsworth Hall of Fame. Pleasant was awarded National Small College Coach of the Year in 1986, 1995, 1994, and 2005; BCAM’s College Coach of the Year in 1989; and RC Faculty Member of the Year in 1986 and 2008. In 2016, he received the Sunrise Pinnacle Educator of the Year award by the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce. 

Pleasant served as pulpit minister for the Lake Orion Church of Christ from 1980-2010. He is a sought-after motivational speaker, particularly for audiences of young people, and he has also done numerous corporate team building workshops. 

Garth and his wife, Pat, will celebrate their 47th wedding anniversary in August 2018. They are the proud parents of three children, Kim (Randy) Speck, Klint (Rachel) and John (Erin) Pleasant. They are also the very proud grandparents of Palmer, Abbey, Lainey Hope, Logan, Julia and Halle.