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Friday, February 1, 2008
Stephanie Tolkinen
St. Paul, MN
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Stephanie Tolkinen splits her time between coaching the Park of Cottage Grove girls basketball team and teaching physical education at Pine Hill Elementary. After serving as the assistant coach for 5 years, Tolkinen jumped in as the Wolfpack’s head coach in 2005. “She has been a huge asset for our program,” states Park Activities Director Phil Kimmel. Stephanie shares what it’s like to take over a program and coach one of the best teams in the state.
HSSTM: How did you decide to get into coaching?
Stephanie: I have always loved sports and have played many different ones at different levels. I played basketball through high school in Mobridge, SD, and went on to play at Black Hills State University. I think when I was in high school I decided that I wanted to coach. I worked with our youth summer teams in my community and was a student assistant coach for a year in college. I really enjoyed it and it helped me confirm my desire for coaching basketball.
HSSTM: What was the transition like when going from assistant to head coach?
Stephanie: Because I had been an assistant coach for 5 years, I knew the girls in the high school program and had already been very active with our local youth association. I changed a few things that I thought would help us get to the next level, but we had a great group of kids coming up at that time.
HSSTM: With the success your team has been having, do you see more college recruiting at Park?
Stephanie: We have had increased interest over the past few years. A coach would come to watch a certain player and then would see others with ability as well. The girls playing AAU ball in the summer has contributed to the college recruiting as well.
HSSTM: How do you prepare your student-athletes for the recruiting process?
Stephanie: I am still fairly new to this experience myself. I have tried to get together with the athletes and their parents and find out their college and academic interests. I will pass along any information from colleges to my players. I also will contact coaches to find out about their interest in the players. I let my kids know that I will help them in any way I can. If they have a question that I can’t answer, I will find it out for them.
HSSTM: What is the most satisfying part of coaching?
Stephanie: I would have to say the relationships I have made over the years. I have coached a lot of wonderful student-athletes and have many that I am still in contact with. I also have met many coaches and parents along the way that have given me support. The memories I have of the many people I have crossed paths with are invaluable. Basketball has been very good to me.
HSSTM: What are your long-term coaching goals?
Stephanie: I would like to see the program sustain its success. We have put a lot of time into developing our youth and would like to see the carry over into the high school program. I have three kids of my own, so I will take one year at a time. I would love to see our girls in a state tournament and capture a few more conference titles.
HSSTM: Can you offer some words of wisdom for young athletes who want to be a part of the Park success?
Stephanie: Dream big and work hard to make those dreams come true. If someone tells you that you can’t do something, work harder to prove them wrong. As John Wooden said, “Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.”
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