University of North Texas Athletics
Getting To Know: Michael Akers
8/21/2020 2:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
DENTON - In an ongoing series, members of the UNT women's golf team will tell fans a bit about themselves, answering some questions about golf and some about off-the-wall topics. This week's installment is with our fearless leader, head coach Michael Akers, who puts an end, once and for all, to the argument of who has the best and worst taste in music on the team.
Q: How old were you when you started playing golf?
A: I was about 3. My dad cut down a 3-wood and putter for me.
Q: Why were you initially interested in playing golf?
A: I wanted to go with my dad on the weekends.
Q: Why did you keep playing golf? Was it just a matter of realizing you were pretty good or was it something more than that?
A: I played many sports when I was young, but I ended up being the best at golf. When I got to high school, I was obsessed with the game.
Q: What is your favorite thing about the game?
A: It is the fact that, at the end of the day, it falls back on you. In this world we live in, of blame and pass the buck, golf is true. You either did well or not, and you have to look at yourself first.
Q: What is your favorite club in your bag?
A: My Ping driver, named Darth Vader.
Q: What is the best course you've ever played?
A: I have played many famous courses, but I will say Muirfield Village GC in Ohio is the best.
Q: What is your favorite golf memory?
A: I have numerous great coaching memories, but winning the 5A Kansas State Championship in high school certainly was incredible. Our team was like the Bad News Bears, and we somehow defeated the very powerful private school out of Wichita.
Q: What is your favorite hobby when you're not playing golf?
A: Recently my boys and I have become avid fishermen.
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration through the years?
A: I am always asking what others do. You never stop learning, but I have to say my wife, Tamara, has been my biggest inspiration.
Q: Why did you choose to come to UNT and leave what you'd built at Texas State?
A: We were not planning on going anywhere. We had just built a new house in New Braunfels. It was certainly hard, but I felt like I needed a new challenge. (Men's golf coach) Coach (Brad) Stracke and I have been friends for years. He is uber competitive, so I knew that would be good to be around. Of course, (donor) Bruzzy (Westheimer) was engaged and already making a difference. UNT was closer to family. Ultimately, I believed I could get to the national championship at UNT.
Q: What is your favorite aspect of coaching college golf?
A: It's 100% the lifetime of friendships I have made with my players.
Q: Are you a dog or cat person? Do you have any pets?
A: Dogs. Titan passed away last year, and it was very traumatic.
Q: You can take three things with you to a deserted island, what do you take?
A: Fire starter, knife and clothes! (Have you seen 'Naked and Afraid'???")
Q: If you could have dinner with three people - dead or alive - who would it be?
A: Eddie George, Abraham Lincoln and Condoleezza Rice.
Q: What is the best movie ever made?
A: I love movies, but Caddyshack is my favorite.
Q: How long did it take you to watch “Tiger King”?
A: Not long. Tamara and I watched it during quarantine.
Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: It's a tie between “Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” and “Ozark."
Q: Who is your favorite band or musician?
A: 3 Doors Down!
Q: Who on the team has the best taste in music aside from yourself? Who has the worst?
A: My assistant coach would have the best taste in music, and all of my players are tied for the worst!
Q: What do you have to say to all the haters on your team who say you have the worst taste in music?
A: They will probably end up asking me to rap at their wedding receptions. I've thrown out “It Takes Two," by Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock at a few weddings.
Q: What is your favorite type of food?
A: Fro Yo (is that considered food?)
Q: You can pick any restaurant in the world to eat a meal, and the tab is covered. Where are you going?
A: Well, I can't remember the name of the place, but it is in Tokyo. When I coached at UCF, we went there for a tournament. I had real Kobe beef, and it was amazing.
Q: You have one day left on Earth, what's your last meal?
A: Bang Bang shrimp tacos from Bonefish.
Q: Favorite type of dessert?
A: French Silk Pie
Q: What do you get out of getting the chance to coach international students? Does it create more curiosity about the world around you?
A: Coaching international students has been amazing. I have realized the commonalities of humans far outweigh our differences. I have seen the most diverse group of ladies accomplish great things. I am also thrilled my sons get to spend time with people from all over the world. It has been very educational for them. At the end of the day, I don't care where my players come from or what they look like, as long as they believe in earnings As and Bs and birdies and pars.
Q: Which of your players' home countries would you most like to visit and why?
A: I wish I had the time and resources to visit them all! I do have an open invitation from an old player to go to South Africa and spend a week in the African bush country and another week on the beach in South Africa. That would be cool.
