Editor's Note:  This is the most recent piece in a series of stories shared by Gorillas to Gorillas as we all embark upon this new "season" in our lives. These certainly are unprecedented times, for young and old alike. Our hope is for Gorilla student-athletes, past and present, coaches and members of Gorilla Nation to read these pieces, awaken their Gorilla memories and then compose their own story to share with us. There is strength in numbers.
 
A little under three years ago after an interesting experience as the head coach at my alma mater, the University of Missouri, the phone rang.  It was my former Warrensburg neighbor Jim Johnson inquiring if I had any interest in being the head basketball coach at Pittsburg State.
 
Pitt State I thought?  That's the place where Homer Cole yelled at me from tip off to final horn and Eddie Lomshek always wore shorts. Heck, Dr. Scott even said he yelled at me on occasion. But then I remembered my great mentor Gene Iba and the graciousness of then President Dr. Tom Bryant. I wasn't ready to retire and I always liked coaching there so Melissa and I decided to do it.
 
We really enjoy being Gorillas. Pittsburg is a great place to live, great people, great University with outstanding leadership and facilities, and a supportive community. (Please come to more games). 
 
Fast forward to the present and our lives have become more challenging. Our nation and community virtually shut down for an extended period of time; and, as we prepare to get back on our feet, more tragedy and unrest develops.
 
We haven't seen our players since Spring Break and probably won't see them again until August. We visit often by phone and have weekly Zoom calls with our entire team and staff. We talk about academics (team GPA 3.21, congratulations), basketball, strength and conditioning, and current events (COVID-19).
 
By the time this article goes to the website we will have had a discussion on racism and the events in Minneapolis and around the country. 
 
Recruiting remains a challenge. My staff has done a phenomenal job as we recruit virtually via Zoom and have been able to sign four players without us ever seeing them or them ever seeing us.  Relationship building is critical and we have been able to use technology to bring Pitt State to our recruits.  We have tremendous faculty and staff that are always ready to help. 
 
Our world is a little crazy right now. Unfortunately, one person can't fix it, but collectively we can be a part of the solution.
 
I hope we realize how special Gorilla Nation is. Thanks for letting me, and my family, in. Finally, we can see life "Through the Eyes of a Gorilla."
 
Stay safe and do the right thing. 
 
Kim Anderson

Kim Anderson recently completed his third season as head men's basketball coach at Pitt State. He has a 347-206 (.627) record in 19 seasons as a collegiate head coach, including the 2014 NCAA Division II National Championship as head coach at the University of Central Missouri. Anderson (Missouri, '79) became the Gorillas' 15th all-time head coach on Apr. 10, 2017, after coaching the previous three seasons at his alma mater – the University of Missouri.
 
Please share your own personal stories/thoughts via email to dwilkes@pittstate.edu. We want to share them! (PSU Athletics reserves the right to edit content for space and appropriateness. We cannot promise to publish every submission, but we will do our best.) Thanks Gorilla Nation!
 
Through the Eyes of a Gorilla Archives
Vol. I - Dan Wilkes, Associate AD/Communications (Apr. 3)
Vol. II - Levi Wyrick, Football/Track & Field Athlete (Apr. 7)
Vol. III - Amanda Davied, Women's Basketball Coach (Apr. 10)
Vol. IV - Chris Hanna, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 13)
Vol. V - Jeff Moreland, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (Apr. 15)
Vol. VI - Emily Hanenberg, Volleyball Athlete (Apr. 17)
Vol. VII - Ashley Balazs, Softball Coach (Apr. 20)
Vol. VIII - Peter Euler, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (Apr. 22)
Vol. IX - Caitlin Demarest, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (Apr. 24)
Vol. X - Tyson Cushman, Baseball Athlete (Apr. 27)
Vol. XI - Oscar Gonzalez, PSU Alum/Men's Basketball Athlete (Apr. 29)
Vol. XII - Russ Jewett, Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (May 1)
Vol. XIII - Ronald Moore, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 4)
Vol. XIV - Emily Regier, Volleyball Athlete (May 6)
Vol. XV - Wendi (Rickson) Horak, PSU Alum/Softball Athlete (May 8)
Vol. XVI - Josh Lattimer, PSU Alum/Football Coach (May 11)
Vol. XVII - Brad Buckley, PSU Alum/Baseball Coach (May 13)
Vol. XVIII - Piper Misse, Cross Country/Track & Field Athlete (May 15)
Vol. XVIV - Alexa (Bordewick) Dreiling, PSU Alum/WBB Athlete (May 18)
Vol. XX - Jen Gomez, Volleyball Coach (May 20)
Vol. XXI - Harlan Hess, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (May 22)
Vol. XXII - Kaity Kukowski, Softball Athlete (May 25)
Vol. XXIII - Eddie Lomshek, PSU Alum/Play-By-Play Broadcaster (May 27)
Vol. XXIV - Jenni (Miller) Croy, PSU Alum/Women's Basketball Athlete (May 29)
Vol. XXV - Jesse Wall, PSU Alum/Football Athlete (June 1)
Vol. XXVI - Marcus Canipe, PSU Alum/CC T&F Athlete (June 3)