By Ryan Deal 

605 Sports

Mike Tuschen is going all in as a grandfather. 

Tuschen recently retired after 37 years coaching high school boys basketball at Stickney and later Corsica-Stickney, finishing with a 556-256 record and eight state tournament appearances. He guided Stickney to the 2002 state championship and Corsica-Stickney to the 2011 state title. 

But said it’s time to prioritize more energy toward another team — his family. 

“It’s time for me to kind of sit back and be grandpa and enjoy some of those things in life,” Tuschen said. “Coaching basketball is a huge commitment. It takes a lot of work and a lot of time. I just feel that I don’t want to be split between that. I am either all in as a coach or I am kind of all in as a grandpa and I am choosing grandpa.”

Mike and his wife, Sandy, have two grown children, Amber and Aaron, who have three children of their own. Amber lives in Corsica, but Aaron lives 2 1/2 hours away in Sioux Center, Iowa.

Mike’s grandchildren are getting involved in sports, and while he can regularly attend games in Corsica, he’s turned down requests from the Tuschen grandchildren in Iowa.

“My son lives in Sioux Center, Iowa, and so I’d get those calls of ‘Grandpa, we are playing on Saturday. Can you come and watch me?’ And it’s like ‘I can’t, I have got my own games,’ ” Tuschen said. 

Corsica-Stickney coach Mike Tuschen shouts instructions earlier this season against Hanson. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

Tuschen, 62, has racked up a number of his own games through 37 years. He’s one of nine South Dakota boys basketball coaches to win more than 500 wins and he’s coached 13 all-staters. He’s coached more than 800 games, but the fiery coach said the “gas tank isn’t as full as it used to be,” and it’s just time to step away from his lifelong craft. 

“It’s something that’s been a part of my life forever,” Tuschen said. “It’s not easy to shut the door on that chapter of my life. I’ve had some wonderful years, some wonderful athletes that obviously have created a lot of great memories and that I will take with me for the rest of my life.”

A Mount Vernon native, Tuschen got the coaching bug shortly after graduating from high school. He played basketball at Dakota Wesleyan University for one season, but transferred to Dakota State University to focus on his business and computer degrees. 

During the one-year stint at DWU, Tuschen played for legendary Tiger coach Gordie Fosness and that left a lasting impression on him. 

“I learned a lot of things as a young 19-year old coming out of high school,” Tuschen said. “He was just a great person and taught me a lot of things about work ethic and team and being committed. That was a great experience.”

Ironically, Tuschen’s first coaching experience wasn’t even with basketball. He returned to Mount Vernon the summer after his only season at DWU and assisted with the youth baseball programs. 

That summer, along with the following summers, ignited his coaching fire.

“It was just something that fell my way and it kind of got me excited,” Tuschen said. “I actually did that the next couple of summers and helped out with that baseball program. I really enjoyed seeing kids that would work hard for you and I just kind of fell in love with it.”

Corsica-Stickney coach Mike Tuschen watches from the sidelines earlier this season against Hanson. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)

He also fell in love with one program. In the 1985-86 season, Tuschen was named head coach of the Stickney Raiders. He took over the Corsica-Stickney Jaguars when they consolidated in the 2009-10 season.

Tuschen admits now he turned down coaching opportunities at Class A and AA schools. The Class B ranks, however, suited him best and he felt devoted to the small-town program.  

“In a Class B setting, sometimes you have a lot of athletes and sometimes your numbers aren’t there in a small school,” Tuschen said. “But I looked forward to the dynamics of whatever your team is and taking that challenge and trying to put it together to see how good these athletes can be and how successful we can be.”

During the 37-year successful run, Tuschen guided Stickney to four consecutive state tournaments between 1990-93, along with berths in 2000 and ‘02. Corsica-Stickney advanced to state tournaments in 2011 and ‘16.

Tuschen’s son, Aaron, was a starting guard on the 2002 state championship team and scored 13 points in the championship win over Dell Rapids St. Mary. 

“A lot of coaches don't get a chance to coach in the state tournament, or coach in the state title game, and then to have your son be a big part of that, was a great memory,” Tuschen said. “The kids around him were just super kids.”

When asked what teams have stood out, Tuschen didn’t want to single out any team and said it was rewarding to see each team grow as players and young men. He also praised this year’s 13-8 Jaguars for their commitment in his final season.  

“We won 13 ball games and I can honestly say this was a fun, hard-working group that created a great lasting memory for my last year as well,” Tuschen said.

Tuschen, who also praised his assistant coaches for their years of hard work, will still be around the Corsica-Stickney High School District. But to a lesser extent, as he’ll be “semi-retired” as technology director and business teacher for the consolidated school district that’s given him so much. 

“They’ve been good to me and there’s a lot of wonderful people in both communities,” he said. “They’ve given me a lifetime of memories.”

Corsica-Stickney coach Mike Tuschen shouts instructions earlier this season against Hanson. (Rodney Haas / 605 Sports)