Marquette University Athletics
Terri Mitchell's USA Basketball Experience -- Entry 1
7/11/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 11, 2008
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - My adventure with USA Basketball has begun! I can't begin to tell you the excitement I have to represent our country as I help coach the U18 Women's Basketball team. I arrived here in Colorado on Wednesday (July 9) and Carol (Owens), Bill (Fennelly) and I spent time planning practice and coming up with the best way to prepare a group of individuals to become a cohesive unit in two short weeks. First off, let me say how great it has been to get to know the awesome people within the USA Basketball organization. I won't go into all the names, but without a doubt, Carol Callan is first class all the way and has made my time here a joy. It is also good to work with Carol and Bill. It is fun being an assistant for Carol and sharing stories with Bill. Plus, I am getting some great drills that I can't wait to implement next year. Well, I think they are great but maybe the players won't!
The biggest factor for us is the word "USA" that is on the front of the players' jerseys and our coaching gear. That is what it is all about. It is no longer about an individual, it is so much bigger than that. We are representing our nation at a time when Olympic Games are not too far away. It is an absolute privilige to be chosen to do this, but it doesn't come without a price. We are working hard, and I am missing a good chunk of recruiting. But, I believe so much in giving back and what a great opportunity this is for me to give back!
I hope to teach these players what it is to be unselfish, to dig down to levels they never thought possible, and to do all that with integrity and character. Our ultimate goal is to win the gold which requires dedicating your life for the next three weeks to be the best.
It has been so much fun to plan and run a practice in July. I can't help but to jump ahead in my mind and think of the excitement I will have in October when I get to coach my own team and see how they have grown since winning the WNIT Championship. This whole experience is making me a better coach and ultimately a better person. I certainly have much to be thankful for!
We had our first practice last night. The players were excited and very coachable, and thank goodness for that because they have a lot to learn! This morning we had to get on them more. You can tell they are adjusting to what it is to have a college practice - maximum effort all the time. There is no more picking and choosing when you want to give effort! They are a good bunch who will definitely get it. Now we just have to remember that tonight is only our third practice together and it is all baby steps right now learning the system. I hope they took to heart talking and hustling, because those are things that can make all of the difference in the energy level of practice.
That's all from here, but I will be keeping you posted along the way. I have more work to do - all the things that keep me busy with my own job. There is never a dull moment, and I wouldn't trade it for anything!!
Go USA!
