FOND DU LAC — After winning the FVA in 2023, the Fond du Lac boys basketball team (9-4,7-1) had a down year in 2024.
But in 2025 they are in first place and they say it’s because they have a lot of moxie and are one gigantic family.
“I would do anything for these guys,” Cardinals head coach Nick Ford said.
When Ford took over the Fond du Lac program six years ago, he says he wanted to build a family-based culture.
“It’s more than just basketball for us – it’s about the team and supporting the culture and community as a whole,” he said.
“It’s great because we don’t have to worry about anything because he has our back,” senior guard Marvin Haslett III said.
But his relationships with his players go much further than basketball.
“He’s like a father, you can talk to him about anything,” senior forward Eli Braatz said. “He’s at your disposal around 2 a.m.”
The players say their coach is doing everything he can. In fact, most days Ford picks up his star player, Haslett, to go to and from school or training.
“I call him dad, I mean he’s everywhere for me. He was there for everyone,” Haslett said.
“It’s the little things that just add up. I wish there was some event that really changed us and made an impression on us, but we keep doing the little things. We’ve built a relationship if you’re consistent,” Ford said.
After a three-game losing streak early in the season, the Fond du Lac family turned things around. Ford says they were simply missing the secret ingredient.
“We call it moxie,” he said. “Coming up with the statement that everything is OK – you have to accept the results, you have to believe in who you are and believe in what you do and do it to the best of your ability and accept the results.
Like every team, the Cardinals have aspirations to try and prove themselves, but in the end, only one thing matters.
“As long as we keep our coach happy, I feel good wherever we go,” Haslett said.
