We are in the last week of our conditioning challenges and next week we finish up with the weight room challenge and another written challenge. Next week will also be the week where teammates have the opportunity to step up and save a teammate if they were unable to complete the challenge. I am very happy with this Lone Star Conference Challenge concept and it has been a great way to start off the new season.
On October 11th at 2 p.m., we will have our annual Alumni Game. I love this weekend! On Saturday night we all get together and laugh and talk about the "good old days" and then on Sunday they get their game faces on. It is always alot of fun. I thought I would take a little bit of time and update our fans on where and what some of our alumni have been up to.
My first graduating class consisted of two seniors that transferred to ASU from Incarnate Word. I will forever be in debt to Kylie Nabors and Marloes Roetgerink. They sacrificed a year of their lives (they both had to go to school longer to gradaute when they tranferred) to come to ASU and help turn this program around immediately. Marloes is playing basketball professionally over seas and last year her team won a championship and she was the most valuable player! Kylie is the head coach at her alma mater East Central High School in San Antonio.
Two other players transferred to ASU also, Jaclyn Nowlin and Esponosha Gilliam. Jaclyin is now a coach in Levelland, is married and expecting her first baby!!! After graduating from ASU, E pursued a Masters Degree in Social Work at Texas State and is currently a social worker at South Austin Hospital. She is engaged to Alexis Cooper (former ASU football player). This is a quote from E "I really want everyone to know that playing basketball and being coached by wonderful people, truly changed me into a honest, hard working, dedicated, competitive, and loving person." Now, I think E is giving us too much credit, because she was a very special young lady when we recruited her!
These transfers made a difference, but they be no means turned this program around on their own. When I arrived in San Angelo there was a core group of players willing and eager to do what ever I took to be successful. The returners that stuck it out were Kimberly Moore, Crystal Whalon, Keely Kolar and Kami Williamson. To this class we added a JUCO transfer Tammara Ringer. The one freshman on the team my first year was Kelli Ann Goble from Ozona. I loved her spunk, but I never thought she would play much for the 'Belles. Pretty funny uh? Kimberly Moore is married and living in Houston. She is an occupational therapist at a veterans hospital. Crystal Whalon lives in Austin and has just published her first book and she is a graphic designer and motivational speaker. Look for her designs on all our apparel this year. Keely Kolar lives in Austin and works (most likely runs) her parent's advertising firm. Tammara Ringer just got married in August to William West, who is also an ASU alum. They live in Pflugerville and after receiving her MBA at Texas State she is now an Internal Auditor for the State of Texas. Kami Williamson is the head coach at her alma mater Menard High School. She was such a great competitor and I know she is a great coach.
Also, attending the Alumni Game will be Sharon Ballenger Beam and Whitney Holting. Sharon is married with an adorable two-year old daughter, Mazzy. Sharon is also the head coach at Lake View High School. Whitney graduated from ASU's Physical Therapy program and is now currently working as a PT. Way to go Whitney! Christy Johnson lives here in San Angelo and recently had a baby with Marlow Rockwell (fomer player for the Ram basketball and football team).
Some of the more recent alums that will be playing are Lauren Weishuhn, Kandra Lakey, and Miranda Damiano. Kandra graduated last year and Lauren and Miranda will finish up this year.
I have been very fortunate to get to coach such outstanding young women and I am really looking forward to seeing all of them again. If you get a chance, please come out to see them. It is always alot of fun.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Breakfast with the 'Belles
This week’s challenge was the Tarleton State Challenge. The ’Belles had to run seven laps (seven teams in the LSC South) around Unidad Park. This equates to 2.8 miles. Once again, the ’Belles were successful in this challenge. The times ranged from 19:08 (Ashley James) which is booking it to 23:44, which is still not too shabby. We had a couple of players not compete in this challenge because of injury, so one of their teammates will be called upon to save them!
It just so happens that my back gate opens up to Unidad Park, so someone had the bright idea that I should cook breakfast for 20 people. For those of you that know me, you can stop laughing now! I have to admit I was considering "cooking breakfast" before they asked me. Now, my idea was to go to the bakery and buy breakfast. That really seems like the sanest thing to do in this situation or really any situation that involves cooking.
As with most domestic challenges, I turned to my mom for help. I probably started by telling her how young she looked today and then I asked "Mom, how would you like to get up at 6:30 a.m. and cook breakfast for all the ’Belles and the coaches?" I might of said "help cook breakfast", but she is no dummy! She immediately agreed, which I am sure is not surprising to any of you mother's out there. I am her sweet baby girl after all, whether I am three or 43.
At this point, the stress started to build. We had to decide what to cook, how much to cook, when to cook it and how to have it hot and ready when they finished their brisk almost three-mile run. My first thought was pancakes and bacon. Mom was not too fond of the idea of making at least 60 pancakes. Good point. I asked Mary Adkins, one of our very lovely and helpful secretaries, if she had an electric skillet??? I really don't know what that is but it sounded good. She told me she had an electric warming pan and suggested biscuits, gravy, bacon and eggs instead of pancakes. Great suggestion. Thanks Mary.
The only glitch in this plan was the gravy, which obviously my mom would have to make. How much flour? Do we need bacon grease, etc, etc. Stacy came over and they attempted to make the gravy. Mom made bacon for the grease (Stacy had bacon for dinner). I took Bailey to her first girl scout meeting and when I returned the backdoor was open to let out the smoke and a pan with some white clumpy stuff was in the sink. Not a good sign. Now don 't get me wrong, my mom is a great cook and she always has to make the gravy but it stresses her out every time!
Next plan, Stacy was on the Internet looking up gravy recipes. Did you know you can use butter instead of grease? Moral of this story, you are never too old to learn new tricks. (I am not calling my mother old here, but I had to use that saying.) The gravy tasted great and we were ready for the morning.
Did you know that it is dark at 6:30 a.m.? Who knew? Anyway, I got up to make the biscuits and by that I mean I took them out of the bag and put them on the cookie sheet. I also started the bacon and then I deserted my mom to finish it up while I went outside to watch the ’Belles run. Bailey and Kannon were excited the ’Belles were running in the park and coming over for breakfast. When the ’Belles arrived on our back porch we were ready to scramble the eggs. I am happy to say that nothing was burned and everything was warm and tasted great!
Not a bad way to start off a morning. A 2.8-mile run and a good warm breakfast.
Thanks mom!
It just so happens that my back gate opens up to Unidad Park, so someone had the bright idea that I should cook breakfast for 20 people. For those of you that know me, you can stop laughing now! I have to admit I was considering "cooking breakfast" before they asked me. Now, my idea was to go to the bakery and buy breakfast. That really seems like the sanest thing to do in this situation or really any situation that involves cooking.
As with most domestic challenges, I turned to my mom for help. I probably started by telling her how young she looked today and then I asked "Mom, how would you like to get up at 6:30 a.m. and cook breakfast for all the ’Belles and the coaches?" I might of said "help cook breakfast", but she is no dummy! She immediately agreed, which I am sure is not surprising to any of you mother's out there. I am her sweet baby girl after all, whether I am three or 43.
At this point, the stress started to build. We had to decide what to cook, how much to cook, when to cook it and how to have it hot and ready when they finished their brisk almost three-mile run. My first thought was pancakes and bacon. Mom was not too fond of the idea of making at least 60 pancakes. Good point. I asked Mary Adkins, one of our very lovely and helpful secretaries, if she had an electric skillet??? I really don't know what that is but it sounded good. She told me she had an electric warming pan and suggested biscuits, gravy, bacon and eggs instead of pancakes. Great suggestion. Thanks Mary.
The only glitch in this plan was the gravy, which obviously my mom would have to make. How much flour? Do we need bacon grease, etc, etc. Stacy came over and they attempted to make the gravy. Mom made bacon for the grease (Stacy had bacon for dinner). I took Bailey to her first girl scout meeting and when I returned the backdoor was open to let out the smoke and a pan with some white clumpy stuff was in the sink. Not a good sign. Now don 't get me wrong, my mom is a great cook and she always has to make the gravy but it stresses her out every time!
Next plan, Stacy was on the Internet looking up gravy recipes. Did you know you can use butter instead of grease? Moral of this story, you are never too old to learn new tricks. (I am not calling my mother old here, but I had to use that saying.) The gravy tasted great and we were ready for the morning.
Did you know that it is dark at 6:30 a.m.? Who knew? Anyway, I got up to make the biscuits and by that I mean I took them out of the bag and put them on the cookie sheet. I also started the bacon and then I deserted my mom to finish it up while I went outside to watch the ’Belles run. Bailey and Kannon were excited the ’Belles were running in the park and coming over for breakfast. When the ’Belles arrived on our back porch we were ready to scramble the eggs. I am happy to say that nothing was burned and everything was warm and tasted great!
Not a bad way to start off a morning. A 2.8-mile run and a good warm breakfast.
Thanks mom!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
It takes a village and a few good recruits
You know the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, well it also takes a village to have a successful basektball program. The 'Belles have won a bunch of games in the past nine years, but I didn't do that alone. Stacy Duffell has been my assistant coach in some form or fashion for all those years (we have also had some very talented dedicated players to help us out!). Stacy played basketball for me for four years at Incarnate Word. She also played softball at Incarnate Word and while she was finishing up her degree she was my student assistant. It was during that year that I was considering taking the job at Angelo State. That is a long story, but I can promise you this, if Stacy had not said "I will go with you" I would not be coaching at Angelo State University.
Stacy was not necessarily the most talented player I have ever coached, but she was the most dedicated and loyal player I have ever coached. She also was the most competitive, which is what makes her a great coach. No one wants to win more than Stacy and she would take you out before she let you beat her! I think one interesting note about Stacy's playing career for me is that I was ejected in her first college game and her last. I know that is hard to believe for those of you that see me always being so calm and cool on the sidelines, especially when I disagree with the officials! Unfortunately, that last game was in the 2nd round of the NAIA National Tournament. I can guarantee you that I did not deserve my second technical and I have video to prove it.
This program would not be where it is today with out Stacy's hard work and dedication on and off the court. This year, we are fortunate to have two graduate assistants working with us. Ashley Tipton played basketball the last four years at Carson-Newman University in Tennessee and Jezzall Quintana played two years at Northeastern State University. I am very excited about both of these young ladies are going to bring to our program. They are enthusiastic and hard working and they are willing to do what it takes to help us take this program to another level. Katie Rudolph was our manager last year and thankfully she is willing to help us out again this year. I told Stacy that Katie was our best recruiting job last year. She is awesome!
It does take a village, but you are kidding yourself if you think you can win without talent. We are beginning our fall recruiting, which consists of home visits and official visits by our recruits. I will keep you posted on how that goes. Wish us luck!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Coach what is a "6"?
We have been working with our small groups for a couple of weeks now. The other day in practice I was explaining what cuts we wanted to make and not make, etc. We use numbers to call our cuts. I was talking and Ashley James, a freshman, asked "Coach what is a 6?" Which was an excellent question, because I know over the last 2-3 practices I had used that number at least 10 times. With 10 returners I tend to forget that the five freshman don't know everything yet, which is why this small group work is so great. Secondly, the question showed me a little something about Ashley. First, she had the confidence to ask the question and she had the smarts to know she didn't know something. We are throwing so much at the freshman that I think sometimes they don't even know they don't know something! Kuddos to Ashley.
We completed our third challenge this morning (6:30 a.m. - ugh!) and once again everyone succeeded. ( They had to run 12 suicides on the football field. We gave them 30 minutes and Ashley James was first at 16:47 and the slowest time was 21 minutes. Nothing makes a coach happier than when players just go hard no matter what the time on the clock says.
This is the first year that we have implemented the Lone Star Conference Challenge. Like most good ideas, this was not an original. I borrowed it from UNC-Ashville. We were looking for ways to build the team concept in everything we do, including weights and conditioning. This challenge allows us to do that while we are also getting into game shape. Each week we have a new challenge that is given one of our opponents name. For example, last week we defeated ACU and today we demolished Kingsville! Let me tell you, even if you are playing pick up sticks, if one of the sticks is a Wildcat you want to beat it!!!! During the week Coach Duffell and our new graduate assistants prepare the players for "winning" these challenges against our future opponents. The day we attempt the challenge is just like a game day. They should be confident and well-prepared to beat the opponent (succeed at the challenge). This is exactly what we are attempting to do with our on court practices. Practices are much more challenging, mentally and physically, than the actual competition. When it is game time, they should be prepared and confident. That is our job. Put our players in a position to succeed!
Honestly, I haven't felt this good about a team's attitude in a couple of years. What a great feeling!
We completed our third challenge this morning (6:30 a.m. - ugh!) and once again everyone succeeded. ( They had to run 12 suicides on the football field. We gave them 30 minutes and Ashley James was first at 16:47 and the slowest time was 21 minutes. Nothing makes a coach happier than when players just go hard no matter what the time on the clock says.
This is the first year that we have implemented the Lone Star Conference Challenge. Like most good ideas, this was not an original. I borrowed it from UNC-Ashville. We were looking for ways to build the team concept in everything we do, including weights and conditioning. This challenge allows us to do that while we are also getting into game shape. Each week we have a new challenge that is given one of our opponents name. For example, last week we defeated ACU and today we demolished Kingsville! Let me tell you, even if you are playing pick up sticks, if one of the sticks is a Wildcat you want to beat it!!!! During the week Coach Duffell and our new graduate assistants prepare the players for "winning" these challenges against our future opponents. The day we attempt the challenge is just like a game day. They should be confident and well-prepared to beat the opponent (succeed at the challenge). This is exactly what we are attempting to do with our on court practices. Practices are much more challenging, mentally and physically, than the actual competition. When it is game time, they should be prepared and confident. That is our job. Put our players in a position to succeed!
Honestly, I haven't felt this good about a team's attitude in a couple of years. What a great feeling!
By the way, a "6" is a dribble hand off.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
NCAA Rules - In case you have insomnia
Since we just wrapped up our second week of pre-season practice, I thought I might share with you what the NCAA allows us to do. During our non-championship segment we can work out with our team eight hours a week. Only two of those hours can be in the gym with a ball. During those two hours, only four players can be in the gym at one time. Thankfully last year they began allowing us to have two groups going at one time, as long as there is no intermingling of the groups. We use both of our gyms to avoid "intermingling". The other six hours are for weights and conditioning. Study hall, tutoring and community service activities do not count in the eight hours. We also have to give them two days off a week.
Since all they really want to do is play pick up games, they can do that on their own. No coaches are allowed to watch these games. They can also so choose to come to the gym and shoot on their own. We have a great shooting machine called The GUN, which rebounds the ball for them. I really hope they are taking advantage of this machine!
Friday was our first running challenge and I am happy to report that all 14 girls (Lindsey Leatherman is hurt) completed the challenge successfully! They had to run 15 x 100's and the fast group averaged 12-14 secs and the slowest group averaged 14-16 secs. They worked hard this week and it paid off on Friday. Just like during the season. Practices are harder than the actual competition and when it is time to compete they should feel confident and prepared.
Our goal as coaches is to put them in a position where they can be successful. What a great job to have. Well, I am off to my oldest nephews wedding in Fort Worth. Bailey is the flower girl and we are very excited about welcoming a new Walling to the family.
Have a great weekend!
Since all they really want to do is play pick up games, they can do that on their own. No coaches are allowed to watch these games. They can also so choose to come to the gym and shoot on their own. We have a great shooting machine called The GUN, which rebounds the ball for them. I really hope they are taking advantage of this machine!
Friday was our first running challenge and I am happy to report that all 14 girls (Lindsey Leatherman is hurt) completed the challenge successfully! They had to run 15 x 100's and the fast group averaged 12-14 secs and the slowest group averaged 14-16 secs. They worked hard this week and it paid off on Friday. Just like during the season. Practices are harder than the actual competition and when it is time to compete they should feel confident and prepared.
Our goal as coaches is to put them in a position where they can be successful. What a great job to have. Well, I am off to my oldest nephews wedding in Fort Worth. Bailey is the flower girl and we are very excited about welcoming a new Walling to the family.
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Help, I've fallen and I can't get up!
Before you call 911, let me explain. I started working out with a personal trainer yesterday and I can't get out of bed today!
The Belles also started our conditioning program yesterday getting ready for the first running challenge. Stacy asked me to compare the two workouts. I don't know if that is really possible, but I will give it a shot.
Warm up
Me - 10 minutes on the treadmill
'Belles - Dynamic stretching (this alone would have done me in)
Work out
Me - wall squats, modified lunges, other various weight bearing exercises while I had to balance on some rubber ball contraption!
'Belles - 4 or 5 sets of 1 x 200, 2 x 100
Cool Down
Me - I sat on a leather couch, drank some water, and discussed when I might dare come back
'Belles - Two times around the track - jog the curves, walk the straight aways (by the way Bailey wanted to do this with them, so we jogged the first curve and then she saw Kannon playing with Stacy on the high jump pit, so we were done)
The next morning
Me - can't get out of bed
'Belles - Hopefully jumped out of bed eager to go to class and anticipating today's workout!
I will leave it up to you to compare the workout of the 18-21 year old college athletes to the workout of the 43 year old mother of two who hasn't been a college athlete in 20 years.
By the way, my trainer said I was in pretty good shape! Of course I am paying her a ton of money.
More importantly, I was very pleased with the 'Belles workout yesterday. The effort was great and I thought the conditioning level was pretty good. The first group a.k.a. the fast group consisted of Alix Flores, Camille Perkins, Kori Hall, Jasmine Fuller, Cassi Wright and newcomers Ashley James, Leah Lemaire, and Morgan Youngblood. After the first 100, Camille and Alix who did not win, commented about how old they were. We have a couple of freshman that were very impressive on the track. Lets hope they can shoot, pass and dribble along with that speed!
FYI - Lauren Holt looked great!!!!!
Thank goodness my computer is by my bed, so I can at least post on my blog. I might have to text Stacy to let her know I can't get up and make it to practice today. But, I have banned cell phones from the Junell Center, so that might be a problem! Oh well, I guess we will just see how long it takes for someone to come looking for me.
The Belles also started our conditioning program yesterday getting ready for the first running challenge. Stacy asked me to compare the two workouts. I don't know if that is really possible, but I will give it a shot.
Warm up
Me - 10 minutes on the treadmill
'Belles - Dynamic stretching (this alone would have done me in)
Work out
Me - wall squats, modified lunges, other various weight bearing exercises while I had to balance on some rubber ball contraption!
'Belles - 4 or 5 sets of 1 x 200, 2 x 100
Cool Down
Me - I sat on a leather couch, drank some water, and discussed when I might dare come back
'Belles - Two times around the track - jog the curves, walk the straight aways (by the way Bailey wanted to do this with them, so we jogged the first curve and then she saw Kannon playing with Stacy on the high jump pit, so we were done)
The next morning
Me - can't get out of bed
'Belles - Hopefully jumped out of bed eager to go to class and anticipating today's workout!
I will leave it up to you to compare the workout of the 18-21 year old college athletes to the workout of the 43 year old mother of two who hasn't been a college athlete in 20 years.
By the way, my trainer said I was in pretty good shape! Of course I am paying her a ton of money.
More importantly, I was very pleased with the 'Belles workout yesterday. The effort was great and I thought the conditioning level was pretty good. The first group a.k.a. the fast group consisted of Alix Flores, Camille Perkins, Kori Hall, Jasmine Fuller, Cassi Wright and newcomers Ashley James, Leah Lemaire, and Morgan Youngblood. After the first 100, Camille and Alix who did not win, commented about how old they were. We have a couple of freshman that were very impressive on the track. Lets hope they can shoot, pass and dribble along with that speed!
FYI - Lauren Holt looked great!!!!!
Thank goodness my computer is by my bed, so I can at least post on my blog. I might have to text Stacy to let her know I can't get up and make it to practice today. But, I have banned cell phones from the Junell Center, so that might be a problem! Oh well, I guess we will just see how long it takes for someone to come looking for me.
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