2At the start of the 22/23 Korea Basketball League (KBL) Season, KGC Ginseng Corporation Professional Basketball Team (the Cheong Kwan Jang Red Boosters as of the 23/24 Season) was labeled a weak team due to a change of coaches and the departure of star players. However, new coach Kim Sang-sik and the team shattered these predictions, seizing a wire-to-wire victory in the league, without losing their first-place position throughout the entire season. They further surprised everyone by becoming the inaugural champions of the East Asia Super League (EASL) and winning the Playoff Championship Game, earning the triple crown for the season. Coach Kim, renowned for his caring leadership, was central to uniting the team amidst difficult circumstances. When he received the Coach Award at the Professional Basketball Awards, the players chanted "Kim Sang-sik!" in unison. Fans affectionately call him “Sik-beoji” meaning 'Father Sik.' He feels as loved by fans as any of the players in his team do.

"A word to my fellow coaches? Of course, congratulations, and as a fellow coach, I want to say, 'You've worked hard, you really deserve what you’ve earned.' I know better than anyone how stressful it is to be a coach of any team.”

During his active years as a player, Kim was known as the 'Moving Missile' for his outstanding 3-point shooting.

"What I remember most from my college days is, without a doubt, the Ko-Yon Games! Not just the day of a match, but the training during the preparation period was really tough. The drills were so relentless that everyone was on the verge of tears. As a freshman and sophomore, I couldn't show signs of weakness to the seniors and had to secretly sneak up to the rooftop at night to sigh and look at the stars. And during those secret escapes, there were freshmen teammates who'd join. Myung-bo and Kyung-yeop might have been among them."

김상식 감독 인터뷰 영상(쇼츠)

Also known as “Asia's Beckenbauer” and “The Eternal Libero”, Hong Myung-bo led Ulsan HD FC to back-to-back victories in the football league. Famous for his commanding charisma, he firmly took a star-studded team in hand and secured the league win early on. The nation's most beloved former national team player has once again proven his unwavering ability as a leader.

"On this special year marking the 100th anniversary of Korea University football, I am happy to lift the championship cup as a football club alumnus. Using this as a driving force, I hope both myself and the younger generation will go further."

“Naturally the regular matches when I was a student are most memorable. The match that is especially unforgettable is the one I didn't play in. In my senior year, I was the team captain but missed the final regular match because I had to play in the South-North Unification Football Tournament. Although we won 3-2, I deeply regret not being able to step on the field myself."

"After I won last year, Sang-sik visited me in Ulsan and told me to “pass the torch of victory” to him, and now I am truly happy that he also won. To Kyung-yeop, congratulations - I hope that he gets some good rest. And to Sang-sik, I’d like to extend my support as he starts the new season."

Hong is continuously contributing to the advancement of the university by making generous donations and participating in the 100th anniversary commemoration.

"Thanks to my time at Korea University, I was able to advance to the professional level and receive tremendous love from fans. Being able to do interviews like this, and the very fact that I am remembered as 'Hong Myung-bo, alumnus of Korea University' holds great meaning for me. Korea University has always been a great influence on my growth, so it's natural for me to strive on behalf of the university.”

It's no exaggeration to say that LG Twins' championship, achieved after 29 long years, was a hot topic not only among baseball fans but for the entire nation. Yeom Kyung-yeop, appointed coach last year, took on the challenge of quenching the burning thirst of LG fans who had waited fervently for victory for almost three decades. Known as 'Yeom Zhuge Liang' for his strategic prowess, he faced immense pressure because of the enormous expectations. However, he delivered victory with unwavering leadership and outstanding team management.

"The responsibility and pressure were so great that even my family opposed me taking on the LG head coach position. But I thought that this was my last chance. I'm glad I was able to achieve the long-awaited championship with the players united and the supportive fans behind us."

"In the competitive world of professional sports, it's remarkable for all three championship coaches in a single year to be Korea University alumni, and even more so that they're all from the Class of '87. It must be the result of them striving as coaches for their players and fans. Hong started off with two consecutive championships, so Sang-sik and I will work even harder."

Yeom’s father also graduated from the College of Law at Korea University, making him a second-generation Korea University alumnus.

"Back then, many student athletes went to departments other than the Department of Physical Education. My father graduated from the College of Law, so I followed him and majored in law in the Class of ‘87. Jamsil Stadium is both LG's home stadium and where the Ko-Yon Games are held, so it's even more meaningful to me. Back then, the Ko-Yon Games were huge events that drew as many spectators as the Korean Series."

Great coaches are often given titles like Jijang (Leader of Wisdom), Deokjang (Leader of Virtue) and Yongjang (Leader of Courage). Let's look forward to the continued winning streak of the Class of '87 coaches from Korea University, who are equipped with outstanding leadership, strategy, and charisma.