New Media Broadcasters sports director Noah Friedman interviewed former Havre girls’ basketball coach Dustin Kraske to discuss the conversations that were had amongst his inner circle on stepping down from his position. He also talked about still being the principal at Havre High and what he will be in terms of value to his former players. After airing part two of the interview in which he discusses his legacy, the full audio of the interview and the transcription of the conversation between Friedman and Kraske is now on HiLineToday.com.
New Media Broadcasters Sports Director Noah Friedman: Coach, you made the decision to step down from your post as the Havre girls’ basketball coach. You cited family reasons to do so. Take us inside. What were some of the conversations like letting your players know about your intentions and beyond?
Havre High Principal and former girls’ basketball coach Dustin Kraske: They were, I guess, as you can probably imagine, it was emotional for me to talk with them and their families. We had an awards end-of-the-year wrap-up type-thing and it was tough to talk to them about it. It was a great experience. It wasn’t very easy, but necessary at that point in time. And then I’ve been doing some follow-ups with our kids because we’re gathering uniforms and being able to chat with everybody on a 1-on-1 basis has been very enjoyable for me.
NF: I can tell it’s still very raw in the sense that it was only a couple of weeks, but you’re still continuing on as principal and that’s a silver lining that we can take away from all this. But with that being the case, what do you anticipate the dynamic—-the future dynamic being like with not being around the day-to-day basketball, but still being close enough to support the players coming through and then seeing the ones finish out their careers?
DK: I mean, if I’m being selfish, it would be great for me. I’ve told our kids that, of course, we’ll be at all the home games. I would imagine that would be a different experience, but that is what it is. Working here, being around the kids every day has been incredibly rewarding for me. I know that that’ll continue. We’ve always talked about coaching and playing basketball. There are a lot of things that you are going to do in your life that are far more important than that and this is just one piece of the journey. And so I’ll selfishly be involved in all the other pieces that I can be for our kids here. It’ll be fun to watch them play. I think Havre High girls’ basketball has been strong for a very long time and will continue to do so because of the quality of kids and parents who are in this community.
NF: Dustin, you’ve mentioned being selfish and I’m really glad that you brought this up because I have another selfish question that I need to ask you. You’ve always been about the kids and I think everyone knows that and appreciates that, but this question is about you and you alone. Looking back on it, what’s been the best part about being the girls’ basketball coach at your Alma Mater for the last 18 seasons and what was the most rewarding part of coaching the kids who you give all the credit to?
DK: Well, yeah (laughs). It was being around the quality of kids that we have in Havre and the quality of kids that go to Havre High School. That’s the most rewarding thing. The willingness to want to work and get better and play together and have fun and handle things that don’t go well. And then of course, to celebrate when things do go well and go our way. It was just special. I’ve always kind of felt like being a Blue Pony was a special thing and Havre High girls’ basketball was just kind of part of that specialness or uniqueness of it and my role in their life will continue to be, I hope, somewhat involved in what they want to do after high school. That’s kind of been our thing.
The whole experience was rewarding. I worked with some great coaches, obviously. Fantastic players is probably an understatement. They were fantastic. Wonderful parents, everyone. I mean, we’re not going to agree on everything, right? Players, parents, coach. That’s just kind of is what it is. But, as far as putting a program together, it takes all of us to be really good and I kind of felt like that was always the case, I guess. That made for some very special seasons thrown together and what a privilege to be part of it.
It was a fun 18 seasons, no doubt about that and I don’t know what to say. It was incredibly rewarding. I told the kids, ‘You know, I really appreciate the fact that there’s a lot of people now around the state that feel like I can coach basketball’ because of how good they were. I really appreciate that. Yeah, it’s great. I don’t mean to ramble. It’s been very positive for me and I know it will continue to be that way. My work, my family. My daughter loves the Ponies and we’re going to continue to do that. When you’re a school guy and you’re at Havre, I mean, I’ve been lucky enough to work at Havre High School with all these wonderful folks that are here, it’s great. To still be involved is going to be wonderful for me.
NF: Mr. Kraske, when I’m usually meeting new folks and doing interviews, I usually like to hit them with an ice breaker. But I’ve decided because this is pretty much the last interview that I’m doing with you as the Havre High girls’ basketball coach, I know that we’ll still be in contact regardless because of the community aspect.
But in a 2020 interview, because I was able to do some research, you said when it was all said and done when you wanted to retire retire that you wanted to be in the cattle industry because you’re a Havre person. Havre High, MSU-Northern. Farming is in your background. How much closer do you feel like you are to that dream now that you have made this decision to step down as the girls’ basketball coach, but still, as you mentioned, just being in the moment and being in the components with your wife and your daughter, Delaney and just envisioning the future for what it can be as a person in the Havre community besides being the principal?
DK: Well, I don’t know. I haven’t thought that much about life after the high school. I mean, there’s been some thinking with it. But I’m lucky enough to where my hobby is, I suppose like everybody, you want to be a cowboy, I guess. I’ve really enjoyed that work. I enjoy working with my family with that. We work with great people, obviously, so that’s kind of fun. Yeah, we’ll kind of see, I guess. Am I closer to that? Yeah, because I’m getting older. So I guess we’ll see when that is on a full-time basis. I don’t know. I just haven’t thought much about that component yet in my life. I’m not quite ready for that, to do that full-time. We’re not in a spot, but we’re getting closer, I suppose. Thank goodness I have a young daughter who is going to be young and refreshed, I suppose.
