Athletics Department

Robert Smith enters his first year as Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach at Leech Lake Tribal College. Coach Smith brings a wealth of knowledge in coaching, mentoring, and recruiting to LLTC.

Prior to LLTC Coach Smith was the head women’s basketball coach at Fond du Lac Tribal & Community College from 2018-2023, Coach Smith was also head men’s basketball coach from 2021-2023, and head football coach from 2019-2021. Before FDLTCC Coach Smith served as an assistant at Vermilion Community College from 2014 -2018.

Born in Arcadia, Florida Coach Smith earned an Associate’s Degree from Vermilion Community college, in Ely Minnesota before transferring to The University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Communication, with a Minor in Sports Leadership.

Coach Smith is not only passionate about coaching, but also being able to be a part of the maturation process that happens. Coach Smith’s goal is to not only teach athletes how to become better on the court, but also how to become better citizens, so they can go back to their respective communities to become leaders.  If you are interested in becoming a Laker, please contact Coach Smith.

The Leech Lake Lakers Men’s & Women’s Basketball Teams Bring Home Trophies

March 27, 2018 by Leech Lake Tribal College

The Leech Lake Tribal College Laker basketball teams are proud to announce their participation and success in the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) Conference and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) Tournament.

The Leech Lakers men’s team ranked second in the regular season with a 10-2 record. In first place was Sisseton-Wahpeton Tribal College with an 11-1 record. The Lakers faced conference rival Turtle Mountain Community College in the opening round of playoffs. The Lakers looked rusty early in the tournament, coming out shooting just 36% overall with 23% from the 3-point arc. The Lakers were locked in defensively for the entire game, creating havoc on the TMCC Mighty Mikinock’s shooting. TMCC shot 29% overall with 22% from the three-point range. LLTC won the game 77-53 and advanced to the 2^ndround. The Lakers’ shooting was better during the second half of the game. They were led in scoring by Josh LaDuke who had 27 points. Kevin Hanks led the Lakers on the boards with 12, and Joe Strong had a solid 8.

Game 2 of the NIAC tournament was a battle from start to finish as the Lakers faced the Canadian Mennonite University Blazers, who came from north of the border. It was a three-point shoot-out as both teams combined made 27 three-pointers in the game. LLTC led CMU at halftime 38-37. After both teams made runs in the second half, the LLTC Lakers came out on top 86-83 and advanced to the NIAC Championship for the first time in Laker history. Josh LaDuke, Kevin Hanks, and Nate Howard combined for 73 of the Lakers’ 86 points.

The third day of the NIAC tournament was an exciting one for the LLTC Lakers, as they looked to capture their first championship in school history. Starting out hot early, the Lakers jumped out to a 51-37 lead and shot 50% in the first half. After a few runs by Providence University in the second half, the Lakers looked to finish them off. Every time players for the Providence Pilots made a shot, Lakers would turn around and made a big shot for LLTC. It was a great team win for the LLTC Lakers, as they outlasted the Pilots 95-81. Six Laker players were in double figures as they brought the NIAC Championship home to Leech Lake!

Interim President Pat Broker states, “There is tremendous pride and excitement that we all feel at our College and throughout our community in recognition of these talented and dedicated young men and women who love the sport of basketball! The fact that Coach Brady Fairbanks was named Coach of the Year adds to our pride as he is an excellent role model for our young people throughout our community. We are fortunate to have Coach Brady Fairbanks and Coach Tara Goodsky working with our players at Leech Lake Tribal College.”

The Lady Lakers finished out their tough season with a strong finish at the AIHEC Division 2 Championship. The six ladies started off the AIHEC tournament with a couple of losses. Alyss Mountain, Averi Holthusen, Sunshyne Kingbird, Heather Strong, Sara Seki, and Candace Jacobs didn’t give up and fought their way down the bracket. They played Oglala Lakota College in the championship game. Averi Holthusen won “All-Tournament” player, and Candace Jacobs was recognized with a star quilt for achieving a 4.0 while being a student-athlete.

Despite some lost games, there is still plenty to celebrate with these young women. The reality of being a student-athlete, and a female one at that, comes with a tremendous amount of challenges. These young women are mothers, caretakers of their family, while working and doing homework at the same time. The weight they carry on their shoulders is much to commemorate. They are role models throughout the college campus and community. They are on their own individual marches to greatness in pursuing their education and come together as a team and family on the basketball court. In their recent AIHEC Championship, they showed just how great they can be.

NIAC Men’s Champions 2017-2018

Coach of the Year:
Brady Fairbanks 2017-2018

Men’s NIAC All-Conference Players 2017-2018

• Kevin Hanks
• Josh LaDuke
• Nate Howard *Honorable Mention

Women’s NIAC All-Conference Players 2017-2018

• Averi Holthusen
• Sunshyne Kingbird
• Alyss Mountain *Honorable Mention

3 Women’s NIAC All-Conference Players 2014-15:

• Danielle Jourdain
• Tonya Morris
• Tamara Porter

3 Men’s NIAC All-Conference Players 2014-15:

• Challenge Johnson
• Jeremy Neadeau
• Josh Redday

Students must be currently enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits per semester in good academic standing to be eligible to play. Students must maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students must have amateur status. Individuals who have received any form of compensation for play are ineligible to participate in that sport. Participants will display good sportsmanship at all times in practices and competition. Students will adhere to all established LL TC Athletic Department conduct and disciplinary policies. Violations of these policies can result in dismissal from the team. Students must have current physical, medical insurance, and other relevant medical information on file with the athletic department.