Corry's Corner - October 2022
October 03, 2022 | Women's Basketball
September has been a busy and productive month for everyone in our program - players and coaches alike. The NCAA contact period for high school recruits began on the first. It allowed us coaches to watch high school open gyms and visit with senior prospective student-athletes. In four weeks, our coaches traveled from the west coast to the east coast and made stops everywhere in between.
Three weekends in September were filled with official visits. We hosted prospective student-athletes and their parents. Forty-eight hours were filled with meetings, tours and activities geared towards building a stronger relationship with possible future members of our program.
While recruiting occupied most of September, it did not overshadow the growth of our program this past month. Seeing players improve on the court is an expectation for a coach. But, it is the off-the-court growth that truly inspires us. Throughout September, I caught glimpses of our players' greatness.
First, I witnessed their creative side. In our first team fashion show, they were challenged to present their best 90s outfit. Each prepared well and strutted as they walked through Coach Sam's living room. The blast from the past provided them an opportunity to be creative and vulnerable, as it was many of their first experiences in a fashion show. Living in the 1990s, I would have worn every outfit modeled.
Second, I witnessed their scholarly side. Our growth in the classroom is numerical and evident to the eye. Our weekly grade reports from our academic coordinator highlight their scores and results on assignments. We can easily identify and recognize their success. There have been four different academic "Big Dawgs" this month, an achievement none of them take for granted. Papers, lectures and group assignments continue challenging them to reach their full potential.
Third, I witnessed their analytical and inquisitive side. They were challenged to participate in a team murder mystery game. Unlike an escape room, the game required them to become a character in the story. They would portray this person for an evening as they analyzed clues to determine who was the group's criminal. Developing their character was essential to the evening, and each of them successfully became someone else. By the end of the evening, when the details were revealed, only a few of them would make strong detectives. Nonetheless, they used their curiosity and intuition throughout the game.
I witnessed a team willing to try new things, to trust what we asked them to do. None of these things required a basketball. None of these activities required a basketball court.
This month provided glimpses into the minds of our players. We spend hours with them on the court, evaluating who they are as a basketball player. We also spent hours learning about them as people. We have a group of young women who are creative, intelligent and inspiring. When presented with a challenge, they accept it. When given an opportunity to shine, they do. Finding out that your players trust you is priceless. With it comes great responsibility on us as coaches. It's a responsibility we accept as we move into this new season.
Hail State!
Corry Irvin
Three weekends in September were filled with official visits. We hosted prospective student-athletes and their parents. Forty-eight hours were filled with meetings, tours and activities geared towards building a stronger relationship with possible future members of our program.
While recruiting occupied most of September, it did not overshadow the growth of our program this past month. Seeing players improve on the court is an expectation for a coach. But, it is the off-the-court growth that truly inspires us. Throughout September, I caught glimpses of our players' greatness.
First, I witnessed their creative side. In our first team fashion show, they were challenged to present their best 90s outfit. Each prepared well and strutted as they walked through Coach Sam's living room. The blast from the past provided them an opportunity to be creative and vulnerable, as it was many of their first experiences in a fashion show. Living in the 1990s, I would have worn every outfit modeled.
Second, I witnessed their scholarly side. Our growth in the classroom is numerical and evident to the eye. Our weekly grade reports from our academic coordinator highlight their scores and results on assignments. We can easily identify and recognize their success. There have been four different academic "Big Dawgs" this month, an achievement none of them take for granted. Papers, lectures and group assignments continue challenging them to reach their full potential.
Third, I witnessed their analytical and inquisitive side. They were challenged to participate in a team murder mystery game. Unlike an escape room, the game required them to become a character in the story. They would portray this person for an evening as they analyzed clues to determine who was the group's criminal. Developing their character was essential to the evening, and each of them successfully became someone else. By the end of the evening, when the details were revealed, only a few of them would make strong detectives. Nonetheless, they used their curiosity and intuition throughout the game.
I witnessed a team willing to try new things, to trust what we asked them to do. None of these things required a basketball. None of these activities required a basketball court.This month provided glimpses into the minds of our players. We spend hours with them on the court, evaluating who they are as a basketball player. We also spent hours learning about them as people. We have a group of young women who are creative, intelligent and inspiring. When presented with a challenge, they accept it. When given an opportunity to shine, they do. Finding out that your players trust you is priceless. With it comes great responsibility on us as coaches. It's a responsibility we accept as we move into this new season.
Hail State!
Corry Irvin
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