If you would have asked me when I was 8 what my favorite sport was, I would have said either floor hockey or canoeing. But, by the time I was 9, I’d found basketball. The Awesome Aces were my first team. My friends and I were so pumped up for our first game only to lose 6-4. I continued to play elementary basketball, attended bb camp including pace setter and Gustavus, and really grew to play competitively when I started 7th grade. I “tried out” for the B-squad only to be told that the coaches wanted to keep my grade level together. We had four centers and four quarters, so I suffered through a season of playing one quarter per game. Not to be deterred, I tried out again in 8th grade and was to told the same thing. Finally in 9th grade, I was allowed to play with the B-squad. I had a great two years there and two great years on the varsity. To this day, one of my biggest disappointments is not advancing to the state tourney in basketball. As a junior my team lost in the district finals and as a senior I fouled out in the last two minutes of the district championship, and my eighth grade replacement entered the game and scored the winning basket. We won the first round of regions and fell in the region finals to MACCRAY, in double overtime. MACCRAY had beaten us previously twice that year, so it was all the tougher of a loss. It was 1990 and I think we were really ahead of our time as we played an uptempo game, utilizing the full court press, on the line up the line, help and recover man to man defense.
On to the next phase of my life – Concordia College! I was actually recruited to run cross country and track and field at Concordia but when I made my visit, I entered the field house and knew I would have to give basketball my best effort. I played JV my freshman year, JV and varsity my sophomore year, then took a year away to devote time to my studies, and returned for my senior year where I learned some very valuable lessons that have assisted me as a coach. My education about my role on a team was defined in college when I went from 6th player to end of the bench water girl within about a month. Looking back from a coaching perspective I can understand the reasoning behind that move, going with a younger, stronger player, but it was very hard to accept for me. I am however thankful now for that lesson! After graduation, I took two years off of basketball, other than playing in rec league and then began the adventure of coaching here in Pine Island. I coached two years in the boys program and then made the switch to the girls, where I’ve been for the past nine years.
Since the implementation of Title IX, which allows girls equal access to athletic opportunities and facilities, there have been many changes. You’re fortunate that your daughters are growing up in a time in which female athletes are as deep a part of the fabric of High school as male athletes.
I’ve seen many changes in the game of basketball in my career including using the smaller ball, the advent of the three point line, the switch to alternating possession instead of actually jumping up the ball on a jump ball, the double bonus, letting a player continue to play with 5 fouls and then switching back again to fouling out, and now the switch from quarters to halves. Possibly in the future and hopefully, in my opinion, the use of a shot clock in HS girls BB.
Basketball, and athletics in general have played and continue to play a major role in my life. It’s how I decided what college to go to, how I met my husband, how I determined what career field to enter, and what led me to Pine Island. Not only that, but it has taught me major lessons along the way. Here are just a few of the characteristics that participation in athletics has taught me and that I try to pass on to your daughters.
Persistence
Patience
Attitude
Determining and accepting your role
Leadership
Understanding
Hard work
Being a role model for others
character
It’s always very gratifying to see parents in the stands supporting their daughters. Supporting your daughters in athletics does more than just provide some conversation around your dinner table. Girl's participation in athletics has grown from 1 in 27 in 1972 to now 1 in 3. Girls who participate in high school athletics have a lower chance of osteoporosis and depression. They have higher self esteem and are less likely to engage in risky behavior like using drugs or becoming sexually active. Girls in athletics are more likely to have a positive body image and therefore less likely to suffer from eating disorders. If you are the parent of one our athletes, we coaches appreciate the support that you give your daughters. I’d like to ask you as parents to do one thing - your daughters need to know that win or lose, starter or role player, you love her, appreciate her effort and aren’t disappointed in her. As one of your daughter’s coaches, I hope that my passion for athletics and being a positive role model can aid them in having an incredible high school basketball experience. I feel so fortunate to be able to continue to channel my love for girl’s basketball into coaching. Thank you for allowing me to play a role in your daughter’s life.
