Recently, I took a moment to check in with my lead reporter at Black College Nines, Michael Coker, since our busy season of covering HBCU baseball was winding down and there were some serious matters I wanted to (but hated to) address.
Michael wears many hats. Besides being a major part of our efforts at Black College Nines, he’s the executive director of Black College Championships, the organization that runs the Black College World Series which he dreamed of years ago and founded three years ago. To top it off, Michael is a member of and special consultant to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and a founding member of the HBCU-Pro Sports Media Association.
I finally corralled Michael and asked him of the news he dropped on me just prior to the recently played 2023 Black College World Series. That’s when he revealed to me that he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Prostate Cancer.
Coker’s first treatment took place in his Florida hometown, but was then cleared to participate in the Montgomery, Alabama-based Black College World Series where he underwent his second chemotherapy treatment. Now, Michael is publicly opening up for the first time about his cancer battle.
Michael Coker on the far right with the 2023 Black College World Series Champions Florida Memorial University Lions
Though he knew that it would be physically challenging, Michael told me he wanted to continue being part of what he started and to be able to continue pushing HBCU baseball to the forefront nationally. But, now it’s important, he says, for him to make others aware of the importance of Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) screening because when prostate cancer is detected in its earliest stages, the prognosis can be excellent.
In 2013, Michael Coker was first diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and beat it. It returned in 2015 and had surgery to beat it again. In 2021, Coker had radiation for his prostate cancer and thought he had nipped it in the bud. But, according to Michael, doctors discovered his cancer during a routine physical in May of 2023, when he took a PSA test. The cancer had mutated, spreading into his ribs and lymph nodes, thus being diagnosed as Stage 4.
“It’s late-stage cancer, so eventually, it’s gonna probably get me,” Coker said, adding that he wished he had gotten tested sooner. “The West Broward Church of Christ membership has been my absolute strength throughout all of this, along with my family.”
“I wish this had been caught earlier. The next time you go in for a basic exam or your yearly checkup, please ask your doctor for a PSA test. Caught early, it’s 99% treatable.”
“I hope my story will save just one life as I encourage others to get screened. My goal this past year was to see my 63rd birthday. I did that on March 22nd. My goal now is to help save at least one life by coming out with this news.”
I was inspired to sit and talk with you at breakfast in the hotel lobby during the World Series in Montgomery. My prayer is for your miracle. You work so hard and inspire so many. You are Legacy Living Mr. Coker. Humility and service to mankind are qualities I witnessed during my time around you. Forever grateful for you and the opportunity to be part of your historical event.
Black College World Series 2023
Love you my Friend!
Praying for you Mr. Coker. I am also battling prostate cancer. Keep fighting!!!
You are in my thoughts and prayers Michael. Keep fighting!
My very talented Christian Brother in Christ. Stay strong, for God is on your side. Many Blessings, for you still have a lot of work ahead, legend Mike Coker. My prayers.meb
God bless you. You are in my prayers.
Praying for you my friend. We all sometimes admit we’re invincible, but through all our peaks and valleys here in this life we find out that just isn’t true. I cherish our friendship and hope besides praying for God’s will, if theirs anything I can do I would hope you let me know. The hardest thing about this and tuff to understand is how will God use this for his glory? We know he will. Love you my brother!