MANKATO – Kevin Buisman’s eyelids felt heavier than dumbbells Monday after a four-hour sleep and way-too-early flight concluded a blissful stretch that saw him pack in 4,898 miles of air and car travel in 18 days.
The Minnesota State Mankato athletic director would gladly take that travel schedule every year.
He was counting miles, not complaining about them.
“It’s a great time to be a Maverick,” Buisman said.
His expense report reflects the currency of success.
Few athletic departments at any collegiate level have celebrated as much winning this year as the one that resides in Mankato.
Since March, six Mavericks teams have posted Top 5 national finishes in Division II, including two national championships and a national runner-up.
Success is nothing new for Buisman’s department. The Mavericks have finished Top 25 nationally in the Directors’ Cup (which measures overall performance) for 21 consecutive years.