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The Daily OrangeNational | In 30th year, Sacred Heart's Bike has 1st Tourney in sight
By Matt Ehalt
Posted: 2/7/08, 12:44 AM EST Section: Sports
Hardcore Syracuse fans know that Jim Boeheim currently holds the longest tenure in the nation of any coach at his alma mater.
But fans in Fairfield, Conn., know who is in second.
It's Dave Bike, the 30-year head coach at Sacred Heart, and his resume looks remarkably similar to Boeheim's: coaching at his alma mater for more than 25 years with a national title under his belt (but his is in Division II).
Bike has become the face of the Sacred Heart program and has stayed loyal to his home school.
"It's been home," said Bike, a native of Fairfield County. "My wife (Judi) always said if you find a job you like, you never have to work a day in your life. I was brought up that way, to do something you enjoy doing rather than have the almighty buck be the driving force. I found a job I like, a place I like, and so I enjoyed it. It's been a really fast 30 years."
This season might shape up to be a special one for Bike and crew, as the Pioneers are first in the Northeast Conference. Winning the league tournament would give Bike his first shot at coaching in the NCAA Division-I Tournament. Sacred Heart moved up from D-II in 1999.
Bike started as the head coach of Sacred Heart in 1978 and led his alma mater to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1986 with a 93-87 win over Southeast Missouri. Bike said thinking of the game and all the players involved in the game brings a smile to his face.
Yet, during this time, Bike never tried to move up the coaching ladder. While other coaches may see Sacred Heart as a stepping stone to a job in a more prolific conference, Bike has never seen it that way.
"I was never really aggressive in pursing other opportunities," Bike said. "Sacred Heart wasn't something that I ever looked like it was a nice little something to move on from."
Transitioning to the top level of college athletics meant some tough initial years for Bike. After winning a national title, Bike suddenly had to endure several single-digit wins at the early going.
But fans in Fairfield, Conn., know who is in second.
It's Dave Bike, the 30-year head coach at Sacred Heart, and his resume looks remarkably similar to Boeheim's: coaching at his alma mater for more than 25 years with a national title under his belt (but his is in Division II).
Bike has become the face of the Sacred Heart program and has stayed loyal to his home school.
"It's been home," said Bike, a native of Fairfield County. "My wife (Judi) always said if you find a job you like, you never have to work a day in your life. I was brought up that way, to do something you enjoy doing rather than have the almighty buck be the driving force. I found a job I like, a place I like, and so I enjoyed it. It's been a really fast 30 years."
This season might shape up to be a special one for Bike and crew, as the Pioneers are first in the Northeast Conference. Winning the league tournament would give Bike his first shot at coaching in the NCAA Division-I Tournament. Sacred Heart moved up from D-II in 1999.
Bike started as the head coach of Sacred Heart in 1978 and led his alma mater to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1986 with a 93-87 win over Southeast Missouri. Bike said thinking of the game and all the players involved in the game brings a smile to his face.
Yet, during this time, Bike never tried to move up the coaching ladder. While other coaches may see Sacred Heart as a stepping stone to a job in a more prolific conference, Bike has never seen it that way.
"I was never really aggressive in pursing other opportunities," Bike said. "Sacred Heart wasn't something that I ever looked like it was a nice little something to move on from."
Transitioning to the top level of college athletics meant some tough initial years for Bike. After winning a national title, Bike suddenly had to endure several single-digit wins at the early going.
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