Michael Plansky: Using Basketball to Welcome People with Disabilities into College Communities
To say that the Planskys are basketball people is an understatement. By the time young Michael was shooting on his first kids’ hoop on the driveway, his family had already built a rich legacy on the hardwood. Two older brothers won state titles in high school, his dad guided his sister’s team to another state championship, and his brother Mark was a key contributor on Villanova’s 1985 NCAA championship team. But little did Michael know that continuing the Plansky legacy was not the only thing the game would give him or gift the teams he led.
Once he had wrapped up a stellar collegiate career in both baseball and hoops at Fairfield University, Michael chose to follow his father into coaching. He cut his teeth on the sidelines as an assistant coach at Brandeis University for four years. Then he got the chance to learn at the side from a masterful leader at the University of Iowa, Tom Davis. Soon after he moved on to Saint Michael’s College, his squad sealed their first postseason conference title.
Things were progressing according to plan on the court. But off it, Michael’s life was about to change forever. Just as his team traveled to the NCAA Tournament, Michael’s wife delivered twins, who were born prematurely at 26 weeks. While they were in the NICU and then came home, he took the head coaching job at Salve Regina University. On the way to practice for the team’s conference tournament, Michael’s wife called him with stunning news: their son, Max, had cerebral palsy.
Some young fathers might have viewed this as a big problem, but Michael saw it as a blessing. He was determined to make his son part of his professional life, and as Max grew, he came to love basketball like just about every other Plansky man before him had. So through all the ups and downs Michael’s teams experienced over the next few years, Max was a constant companion at his side.
After leading Salve Regina to a regular season championship and program wins record, Michael led Endicott College to two conference tournament titles and NCAA berths. Then, after excelling as the athletic director at Marblehead High School and Dedham High School and in a leadership role, Michael founded the non-profit You’re With Us, which began after Northeastern University’s basketball team welcomed Max into their team and their hearts.
“I put the phone down, got in the van with the players, and I was in a fog,” Michael said. “When we got into practice, I told the guys, ‘Listen. I just got off the phone. Max has cerebral palsy. He’s never going to be able to do what you’re about to and try to become a better basketball team.’ I started to cry and so did they. Then I said, ‘Let’s have a good practice.’ We did, and then we had another and another.”
Michael brought the same level of passion and servant leadership to his own family and the extended clan that basketball brought when he left Salve Regina and became head coach at Endicott College – where The Basketball Strong Podcast co-host Tim DiFrancesco played ball. The team won a threepeat of regular season championships, went to the NCAA Tournament, and won the conference tournament twice, and Michael received two Coach of the Year awards.
As much as Michael stoked his son’s passion for basketball, several other coaches also poured time and energy into making Max feel like a real part of their teams. Bill Coen is a prime example. He welcomed Max into Northeastern University’s practices and even had him sit on the team’s bench during games. When the squad won, the players made Max a big part of their celebration and included him in their team photos. One player became such good friends with Max that he cut his hair every few weeks.
While Max was loving life as an honorary member of the Northeastern roster, Michael decided to pour all his energy into You’re With Us. The organization pairs kids who have a wide range of physical and mental challenges with students who buddy up with them, similar to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Parenting Max in a loving way and seeing how players have welcomed him into their hearts and lives has shown Michael a path for empowering teens and young adults with disabilities.
Many of the students who’ve signed up for You’re With Us state that they’ve gained even more than those they’re partnered up with. To date, well over 100 individuals with disabilities have been connected with a mentor and welcomed into local college communities as they are. You’re With Us is actively involved on over 20 campuses throughout Massachusetts and is expanding to other states soon. Michael has learned that Max isn’t just a great buddy to have on the bench, but also an inspiration who has touched lives and inspired others to give all they have to serve. Father and son are living examples of what it means to be Basketball Strong.
“You’re taking people from all different backgrounds and working together toward one goal: being the best team you can. We’re going to fight for each other and support each other. We can always do a little better. And it can be anybody – it’s so inclusive. When you get together, crap gets bad, and you fight through it, that’s Basketball Strong. And you’ve got to be the good in the world. Do whatever you’re doing, but welcome someone else into it and take them along with you.”
To hear the full story of Michael and Max, listen to Michael’s interview on The Basketball Strong Podcast. And check out the great work their charity is doing at https://www.yourewith.us.
