Jeffrey Mansfield was a key player during the 2022-2023 Men’s Basketball season. The 2022-2023 team made it to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, where they ended up as the DIII Basketball Championship runner-up. “It’s a memory that will last forever. That team was special. It was a group of guys that liked being around each other, hung out all the time and only cared about winning,” said Mansfield. During the 2022-2023 season the Raiders had a record of 30-3. Mansfield led the team in assists and was recognized as All OAC Honorable Mention.
Mansfield, a 2023 University of Mount Union graduate, is a current assistant coach for the University of Mount Union Men’s Basketball team. The transition from being a college athlete to coaching college athletics could be tricky for some, but Mansfield has made the transition with ease; “I’ve learned a lot in my transition. But the biggest thing I’ve learned is how to take the discipline that comes with being an athlete and put it towards coaching. The other huge thing I have learned is to be the coach that you would want to play for.”
"The other huge thing I have learned is to be the coach that you would want to play for.”
Mike Gregg, a University of Mount Union Men’s Assistant Basketball Coach, has been a mentor and influence for Mansfield during his time as a student and coach at Mount Union; “Mike Gregg helped me a lot in my time at Mount. Being three hours away from my friends and family, Mike Gregg really filled that void. From helping me with schooling and basketball to a person who just cared about me as a person.” Mansfield hopes to have the same influence on his athletes that Mike Gregg has had on him. “My main goal as a coach is all about helping athletes become the best version of themselves on and off the court. It is one of the best feelings watching your athletes grow as a person. Being a coach to me is all about helping impact the lives of all the athletes I interact with,” stated Mansfield.
Mansfield spent the first three years of his college athletic career at Wilmington College in Wilmington, Ohio. He then transferred to the University of Mount Union where he finished his final year of basketball and received his bachelor’s degree in sport business. Mansfield has spent the past two years coaching college athletics and is happy to call Mount Union home, “Mount Union is a special place and will forever be a place I consider home. Mount Union has taught me a lot about myself and contributed a lot to my personal growth. I have met some of my closest friends here and will forever be thankful for this place.” The Men’s Basketball team’s next home game is next Saturday, December 7th where they will take on Capital University. Be sure to come support Mansfield, the players, and other coaches as their season is just getting started.
