Mike Adams was a two-sport success story for Northeastern State University athletics in the mid-1980s. He was a 2015 induction into the athletics hall of fame in recognition of setting (and maintaining) seven track records, qualifying for the national meet four times in 110M hurdles and earning first-team All-American NAIA honors in 1987.
In the first "catching up with the Northeastern State family" segment we highlight a conversation with Mike Adams.
How did NSU help you get your start?
All of my friends that I'm still closest with we all went to Northeastern together back in the 80s. We still talk about how it was small, so we were able to get to know everybody and that helped me. I've got three degrees from there. I was a high school football coach for 21 years. I think knowing people from Northeastern in the education field really got me started. The relationships are what I treasure the most.
The most important thing you took from NSU?
I can adapt to many different situations, people -- and I'm very blessed -- to have a lot of friends in different fields of different backgrounds and cultures. I still keep up with those people today no matter if they were: athletes, in the science department, cheerleaders, part of the band and even faculty. I had a lot of respect for so many. I felt that I was strong in communication skills, I could talk to anybody and I think that still helps me out.
A best moment?
I played football under George Elliot and Tom Eckert, we won the conference championship my senior year and went to the national playoffs. I have a lot of great memories though. I was team captain [junior and senior year] and signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1988 as a rookie free agent.
Walk us through experience with the Cowboys?
I just played that year and made it to the third cut. I was rookies with [wide receiver] Michael Irvin that year and I had to cover him everyday in practice. I just didn't do a very good job of it. I got to play in two preseason games out in California under Tom Landry.
Advice to current Northeastern State student-athletes?
Obviously today is a different time with the whole COVID-19, but "Just take in every moment you can in college because you'll never get those times back. Take every opportunity to try to better yourself and just meet as many people as you can and treat them with respect because you never know when you might need them."
What degrees did you earn?
My first degree was industrial technologies with an emphasis on safety. Then I realized, after I got finished playing, that I really wanted to be a coach so I went back to Northeastern for one calendar year and got my education degree. Later on, I ended up getting my master's in school administration.
What has your career path been like?
I coached and taught starting in 1990. I've always wanted to move up in the ranks and I ended up being the athletic director for Tahlequah High School from 2008 to 2011. After that, I decided to get out of the education field and go into private business. I have my own agency now with Farmers Insurance.
*Adams coached at Enid High School, East Central High School, Sperry High School, Bishop Kelley High School, Memorial High School and Tahlequah High School.
Where do you currently reside?
Owasso, Oklahoma.
You live within an hour and 15 minutes or so?
Yes, I get back to Tahlequah when I can. I've known [current football head coach]
J.J. Eckert since he was in the third grade.
