Independent file photo SMSU’s Brad Bigler calls out a play during their game against Winona State University on Dec. 2, 2017.

MARSHALL — There’s a hashtag that’s frequently used by fans of the Southwest Minnesota State University athletic programs: #M4L.

It stands for Mustangs for life, and it often symbolizes how folks will still identify as Mustangs long after graduating and leaving the SMSU campus.

Probably no one embodies the M4L mantra as much as men’s basketball coach Brad Bigler. After a five-season career as a player on the team (1997-02), Bigler first began his SMSU coaching career as a graduate assistant in the 2003-04 season. After two years as a GA, he became a full-time assistant prior to the 2005-06 season and would be promoted to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator a season later.

After former SMSU coach Greg Stemen resigned to take a job outside of coaching, Bigler spent a year as interim head coach before being named the permanent head coach on April 8, 2010.

Stemen said during the NSIC Tournament that Brad Bigler is the face of SMSU basketball.

“In his time at Southwest and looking at their winning percentage in the men’s basketball program — he is the common denominator for that success,” Stemen said on Sunday.

The numbers bear that out, as well. When Bigler joined the program in 1997, SMSU men’s basketball had an all-time record of 273-516 (.346 winning percentage) in its 30-year history. In the 22 seasons since Bigler first joined the program, the Mustangs have a record of 398-260 (.605).

Bigler is the face of SMSU men’s basketball not just for what he’s done on the court, but off the court, as well. That was his goal from the outset, as he said in a press release upon being named the permanent coach in 2010.

“I look forward to the challenge of bringing quality people to SMSU and building on the traditions set before us,” Bigler said in that 2010 press release. “This program is more than just wins and losses. I want this program to make a positive impact on the Marshall community. These young men have the power to do special things and it’s my job to bring it out of them.”

If you ever listen to Bigler talk about his players, it’s immediately evident that those goals haven’t changed. If you haven’t already done so, take some time to listen to Bigler’s interview with Marshall Radio’s Ryan Rohlik from after SMSU loss to Northern State University on Tuesday night. He cares about the guys on the team. Not just as basketball players, but as young men.

As the young men leave the men’s basketball program, there’s still a deep connection between the team and its alumni. If you scan the stands on most nights, you will often see a number of former players who come back to support the team.

I don’t think anyone could put it better than how Bigler ended his radio interview on Tuesday.

“I’m proud to be a Mustang, and I know there’s a lot of us out there that feel the same way.”