Spokane Community Colleges opened their doors to students in late 1963 with only a handful of majors to offer. With the growth of degrees happening rapidly physical education and athletics were added only a year later in 1964. Being able to say that athletics were offered broadened the diversity of the population, and led to many more opportunities for students with athletic abilities. 

In the beginning of the sport program only men’s basketball, soccer, and cross country were available. It didn’t take long to realize that we needed to widen the selection. Sooner than later all women’s sports, men’s baseball and track would be a part of the athletics department. Having a variety of options helped Spokane Community Colleges find people like Bret and Brooks Michaels, a brother duo from Kalispell Montana, to earn positions on our sports teams.

Bret Michaels is a 21 year old basketball player at Spokane Community College majoring in Sports and Entertainment Management. His younger brother Brooks Michaels is a 20 year old track thrower for Spokane Falls Community College majoring in Nutrition. These brothers grew up playing sports, they both started playing basketball because of their dad. Who happens to be 6’10” and played collegiate at Montana State University and professional basketball in Australia. Bret followed in his dad’s footsteps and has been playing basketball since he was an infant and now is a forward guard at Spokane Community College. 

After further thinking and growing, Brooks decided basketball wasn’t for him and that his strength would make a bigger impact in more “strongman competitions” like football and throwing for track. Brooks started doing events for track ever since he was eight years old, but didn’t take it seriously due to his child-like instincts. Brooks realized that in middle school he needed to be more serious, and eventually picked up football as well. As he began to realize that football wasn’t for him either so he decided to devote his time to track. 

Now since basketball was only a part of one of their lives you would assume there would be some friendly competition to see whose games mom and dad came to. But nope, not for this family. Their parents were good about going to one of Brooks’ throws or events then catching the rest of Bret’s game. 

“I think mainly when we were younger and in the same sport there was some tension and competition.{Bret} But that’s what we did with everything like the first one who was the first to get up the stairs quickest wins. Since Brook’s figured out his sophomore year that track was his sport we decided it wasn’t about winning and more about pushing, and just being there for each other.”  

As an athlete starting college has always been difficult but COVID-19 has affected everyone in different ways. These athletes were isolated with online classes, the lack of in person interaction was daunting but at least these brothers had each other and their teammates. 

“Most of my closest friends are track athletes. We see each other daily and always have time to hang out” 

With spending a collective total of 50 hours a week on school and 40 hours a week on practice these boys needed to figure out how to manage their time wisely. For Bret this challenge has been manageable, but most of he does not have any free time due to basketball. Brooks on the other hand wasn’t so lucky when it came to time distribution. 

“Absolutely I’ve struggled, especially on season with meets.{Brooks} If I have any homework I have to get it done before the meet and usually after practice you’re exhausted and have no focus to get anything done. But since I’ve been doing it for such a long time I’ve just got used to it. But I think it’s also been a positive thing especially during this time.”

Through all their years of playing, both Bret and Brooks have been offered opportunities to play at a higher level. Brooks is looking forward to continuing and finding his perfectly social matched school. But Bret is not planning on continuing and is going to take his time to focus on his major and social life through Grand Canyon University. When asked how the overall experience of athletics at CCS has been nothing but positive feedback was received. 

“Fantastic track program I owe my success to all my coaches and teammates” {Brooks}

“As you see I love the basketball program hence choosing to come back all three years I didn’t know was gonna happen with the pandemic, I still decided to come back.It is truly a family environment there. The coach really cares about the team so much. I’ve always called him a second dad. An amazing last couple years in the books, helping to build the best players.” {Bret}

If you or someone you know is hesitating to play sports in community college or a four year university, tell them to go for it because being on a team gives you the best opportunity to turn vision into reality.