University of Mary Athletics

A native of Hatton, ND, Mike Lavin was known as one of the top Class B high school basketball players, as well as one of the top five players in the state. Enrolling at the University of Mary in the fall of 1975, Mike immediately became a top player of the Marauders under the leadership of Coach Al Bortke. During Mike’s sophomore year, the Marauders were ranked 10th in the nation for scoring, averaging 92.9 points per game with a seasonal game high of 128 points. During the season of 1976-77, they scored a homecoming victory of the University of Winnipeg, 109-88, and hit the century mark again with a win over Jamestown College, 104-93. In his junior year, the team posted a 23-4 record, playing 19 games on the road. That season, a 16-game winning streak was posted and the Marauders did not lose a game to a North Dakota team. Overall, the team averaged 88.9 points per game, scoring 2,402 points during the season. In his senior year, Mike served as a team captain and led the Marauders to a 24-7 season. 

During his four-year career, Mike led the Marauders to seasons of 19-10, 25-6, 23-4, and 24-6, claiming 91 victories and 26 defeats. With Mike’s tenure at the University of Mary, the Marauders were not part of a conference and played an independent schedule. The unfortunately meant that no All-Conference honors could be awarded. According to Al Bortke, Mike would have been an All-Conference candidate, as Mike was one of the toughest defensive players he had ever coached, as well as a scoring threat. Mike still ranks in the Top 12 All-Time Scoring Leaders for the Marauders.