Scott Bird transferred from the University of Oklahoma as a kicker in the spring of 1986. He spent two seasons on the football team winning the OIC championship in 1987. Although Bird was never a star player and only has one kick, an extra point, recorded in the NSU books he is passionate about what his time in Tahlequah did for his future. He often thinks about how much he grew while on campus. It has led him to success in collegiate athletics strength and conditioning.
In the third installment of "catching up with the Northeastern State family" we highlight a conversation with Scott Bird.
What made you decide to attend Northeastern State?
I really enjoyed my [time on the football team], I was there for Coach Elliot's last season and Coach Eckert's first season. Ironically, with J.J. back as the head coach, when I was there he was just a little kid running around practice so it's a neat thing. I certainly was attracted because I wanted to go to a program that I knew had some tradition and I knew we were going to win. I had an opportunity to play and have a good education. At the time Northeastern was in the NAIA and was second to none. And it wasn't too far from home. All those factors were big in choosing NSU. Once I got there I fell in love with the place and made lifelong friends.
How did NSU help you get your start?
One thing was it helped me get back square academically, I fit in much better there. Loved all the professors, they did a good job preparing me. They had a bigger school feel, but what I liked is what the classroom gave me; some one-on-one, more individual attention and more success. It gave me the opportunity to see some more things to open up more things for me to begin my career in education and the confidence I had and what I learned there as a student and an athlete.
What was the most important thing you learned?
A lot of the expectation levels that were put on us were very high. You would think that the smaller schools really appreciated the expectation levels of the professors and the coaches but on you to succeed. Coach Dobbins was one of those and I remember him even if you were going to be a PE teacher you needed to know how to spell. He counted off for spelling, all his exams were comprehensive, things like that. All the little things make sure we were going to be successful that we were going to do that really stand out to me I worked for Coach Cox at the Fitness Center in the summers I really learned a lot from him he was the same way he had a standard for excellence and you were expected to go about your business.
Does a best moment stand out to you?
Certainly winning the championship in '87. The basketball games too; how much fun we had at the basketball games and we were pretty good. We got there early to sit there in the first few rows and really harass the other teams. Dennis Rodman played there and we harassed him pretty good. One time after the game one of the players came over and sat down next to us and said "man you guys made that a lot of fun you were hard on me." One of my best friends Jay Hill, was a basketball player. That was one of the things that made NSU pretty neat, the closeness of the student-athletes we support each other and have fun at each other's contests. Channel 8 from Tulsa even came out and did a special and how much fun we made the basketball games back there in the old field house. That was a pretty neat experience.
Is there any advice you'd offer current student-athletes?
I think don't lose yourself. NSU gives you many opportunities to do whatever you want to do to be successful. Take advantage of everything they have there to offer. People who do that are unlimited in what they can do. Student-athletes in general don't know how many resources they have available. Just use every resource to their advantage to make connections. Learn and be successful. They have an opportunity to come out of there with a great education and a great experience and be successful in what they want to do.
You've worked at many Division I Power Five conference schools in strength and conditioning. What has that been like?
As an athlete, personally, strength and conditioning intrigued me. I've worked with football and baseball but I get to work with a wide variety of athletes, too. I used connections from OU and started working my way up the ladder and 31 years later I have had a great career. I have been very lucky to be at some great schools; Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Ohio State, Kansas State, and Houston. I'm very fortunate to work at some great places, with great coaches and great athletes. I try to learn as much as teach.
What was your degree at NSU?
Health and physical education with a minor in journalism.
Where do you currently reside?
I'm currently married and living in Columbia, Missouri. I'm thinking of possibly moving into an administrative type position, a more leadership position.
