|
|
|
|
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Wise Words
Greater Louisville, KY
|
|
|
After a career that took him all the way to the limelight of college sports as women’s head basketball coach at Western Kentucky University, Coach Steve Small is once again working with kids at Basketball Academy, and he has a lot to share with the kids he’s teaching. HSSTM talked to Coach Small about his attitude toward life and coaching.
HSSTM: How did you get started in coaching?
Small: I started out in 1972 as the middle school coach at Mount Washington Middle School in Bullitt County. I coached football, basketball, track and field. In 1980, when they opened Bullitt East High School, I took the job as girls’ basketball coach.
HSSTM: How did you get to Western Kentucky University?
Small: In 1984, I accepted a position as assistant coach for women’s basketball at Western Kentucky University, then became the head coach in 1997. I retired from that job in 2001 and was director of sports tourism in Bowling Green for five years.
HSSTM: So how do you like what you’re doing now?
Small: I think of myself as a normal Joe who got to do what I loved for 31 years and get paid for it. It was never a job.
HSSTM: How did you hear about Basketball Academy?
Small: I met Kenny Hilpp and other partners through Steve Carrithers. We talked and I fell in love with watching this place go up. To me, it’s like I’ve gone to heaven early.
HSSTM: You seem to be good at motivating people.
Small: I love to hear someone say, ‘We can’t get it done.’ I love to organize and get things done. We got a complete renovation of the Bullitt East High School locker room done for a fraction of what it would have cost to contract the work. I knew a plumber, a carpet vendor, a cabinet maker, a paint store owner — I got them to provide these things for pennies on the dollar. Now the school has a brand new locker room that everyone can be proud of.
HSSTM: How do you help your players keep the proper perspective on life?
Small: I tell them, ‘It’s just a ball with air in it, but while you’re here, why not give it your best shot.’ I talk to them about goals. I tell them to keep their priorities in order. First is God and family, second is education, third is basketball.
I also tell them, ‘The most important ingredient in your gym bag is your attitude!’
HSSTM: What do you say to your own children?
Small: I have two daughters, 14 and 34. I tell them, ‘I have two hands, one to put my arm around you and one to slap you upside the head. Both are necessary.’
If there’s one thing people say about me, they’ll say ‘He cares.’ That’s true. No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care.
HSSTM: You have a lot of quotes and sayings. Where do you find them?
Small: One time I was looking for a quote for a meeting. I looked through all my books and couldn’t find what I was looking for. Then I looked at the soda bottle and there it was – ‘No deposit, no return.’ That was it. A kid may have talent, but are you willing to go home and practice this in your driveway or your garage? You’ll get out of it what you put into it.
HSSTM: Any final advice?
Live. Learn. Pass it on.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
|
|
How do you prepare your players to stay focused and keep nerves in check for regional or state tournaments? ...
More 
Archives
|
|
 ™
|
|
About Face
by: Tom Lane
Rachael McAllister never saw it coming. “She’s dribbling, I’m on her right. I reverse my stick. Her follow-through went straight up into my nose. At...
More
|
Give Thanks for Your Sports
by: Cheryl Hart
From time to time, all athletes need an attitude adjustment. You hear them after a game complaining, “I just stunk out there, and the coach...
More
|
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
Fall Sports and College Tests: Do They Mix? ...
More
|
|
|
 ™
|
|
A collection of this month's best action photos.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hoops & Justice
by: Paul Najjar
As Susan Yates, she was a standout basketball player for Sacred Heart Academy from 1982-1986. Her awards and accolades included:...
More
Archives
|
|
|
|
|
You need to upgrade your Flash Player to version 9 or newer.
|
|
|
|
™
