By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
Michael Theulen has been an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Springfield College since 2023. He first started out at Springfield College in 1981 to work on his doctorate of Physical Education. Two years later he taught courses in Physical Education as well as coaching the women’s basketball team and the men’s basketball team soon after.
The Student sat down with Theulen to learn more about the switch to Sport Management and why he gives his classes’ guest speakers a pop tart.
Student: What made you choose Springfield College?
Theulen: I first came to Springfield College in 1981. I came here to work on my doctorate. I was the Teaching Fellow for the men’s basketball program, and received my doctorate in 1983 and was hired as a women’s basketball coach, and stayed on to 1998. During that time period, I moved back to the men’s basketball program and I was a tenured associate professor of physical education. From 1990 to 1998 I was a head men’s basketball coach and then I left Springfield to go to Western New England to take on a career of athletic administration. I was athletic director over there.
Student: What made you switch from teaching Physical Education to Sport Management?
Theulen: I retired unsuccessfully in 2017 and had three joint replacements, and thought I was done. I moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and got bored, so I came back up here. I went to Elms College as the athletic director for four years again, and attempted to step down in 2023. My last week at Elms, I was preparing for my son’s wedding and Springfield College came calling and asked if I would consider jumping on board in sport management. They were down a few faculty members, and here I am and enjoying every minute of it.
Student: What was it like coaching both basketball teams on campus?
Theulen: I had never coached women until I coached in 1983. The head coach at the time left to go to Bowdoin College, where he was not only the women’s basketball coach, but also Baseball. Baseball was a real passion for him. This happened in August, and they were looking to quickly fill the position, and I was fortunate enough to be given the job, and spent three years doing that, and then became the assistant men’s basketball coach for five years.
Student: Why do you give your guest speakers poptarts?
Theulen: That goes back to my coaching days at Springfield College. It was a strong tradition within the men’s basketball program. I bought it to them, and so we stay connected because I’m a Facebook guy, but also our text groups. It’s a constant theme, and it’s just something that re-emerged, and I felt like it’s a nice honorarium for those that come in to feel the power of Pop Tarts. And I’m also looking for an NIL deal with pop tarts that they so choose.
Student: What piece of advice do you give the most to your students?
Theulen: My advice to them is to be their own authentic selves. In an era of AI, everybody’s going to look good on paper. Everybody’s resume is going to look perfect. The bottom line is when you have the opportunity to connect with people, to be authentic, to be full of confidence in yourself and follow your passion, whatever that passion is, wherever it leads you, follow your passion and it will never steer you wrong.