Q & A With Women's Basketball's Stacy Stephens
10/29/2015 11:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
In the second in a series of question and answer sessions with the Sam Houston men's and women's basketball assistant coaches, GoBearkats.com features Stacy Stephens.
A former All-America player for the University of Texas in Austin, Stacy played four-years professionally in the WNBA and overseas. She is in her second season as part of the Bearkat staff after serving at her alma mater as a special assistant with the women's basketball team.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO COACHING?
After playing professionally and running my own basketball camp business for years, I learned that I wanted to make a positive difference in young people's lives just as so many coaches had made in mine.
I have had the privilege of playing for great junior high, high school and summer league coaches. My high school coach, Buddy Hawkins, is a master at teaching the game of basketball. My summer coach, Joey Simmons, was fabulous at pushing athletes to play at a higher level. My college coach, Jody Conradt, is a Naismith Hall of Fame coach (and also in the Hall of Honor at SHSU).
Coach Conradt impacted my life by teaching me work ethic, and consistency. My assistant coaches while at Texas, Kathy Harston, now an administrator at The University of Texas taught me to never let up. Fred Applin, now a Head Coach at Charleston Southern University, taught me to continue to have fun as I grew as a player and a person. Karen Aston, now head coach at The University of Texas and also my former employee, taught me the importance of the details in everything you do.
My goal is to bring all these fabulous attributes that I have learned from my coaches and help share these life lessons with athletes at Sam Houston State.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE JOB HERE AT SAM HOUSTON?
I wanted the job at Sam Houston because I had spent two years at UT Austin working behind the scenes in basketball operations, and it made it obvious to me how much passion I had to be on the court coaching. I also believe that what Sam Houston has, as far as location, support and the drive to be at the top is a great place to help build a career.
WHAT DO YOU LOOK FOR IN A PROSPECT WHEN RECRUITING FOR THE BEARKATS?
#1 skills – what can this recruit bring to the table (athleticism, scoring, rebounding, toughness, leadership)
#2 attitude – will this recruit bring a winning attitude to the team, or will they be detrimental to the team
#3 upside – is the recruit still continuing to get better or have they leveled off. The drive to continue to improve is actually a huge, positive in my opinion.
WHAT'S THE BEST PART OF YOUR JOB AND THE HARDEST?
Best part of my job is working with the student athletes at Sam Houston. The young women on the team are not only good basketball players, but they are smart, caring and hard working. It is fun to go to practice and be around athletes that want to get better, and have fun doing it.
The hardest part of my job is when you have to stop recruiting someone, because the scholarship is taken, they choose another school, their grades, attitude or whatever reason it could be. I invest in young athletes, and sometimes when it does not work out, it is hard to say goodbye, but I always wish them luck in their future endeavors, because it is a true hope of mine that they will succeed in anything they attempt
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO BE AWAY FROM BASKETBALL?
I love movies!!! Cartoon movies (love Pixar, anything with Minions, Mulan, Beauty and the Beast, Meet the Robinsons --- just to name a few). I also love movies like Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Star Trek (live long and prosper) – and just about anything in between. The only movie you won't catch me watching is a horror movie. I definitely do not do scary! (Go ahead make your jokes)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOMENT SO FAR AS A BEARKAT COACH?
Last season when the team played so hard, and together as a team to upset SFA at Johnson Coliseum.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PRO TEAM (BASKETBALL OR ANY OTHER SPORT)?
I really enjoy watching teams that play hard and together – San Antonio Spurs (even though I'm really a Mavs fan), the San Antonio Silver Starz, and of course I cheer for my alma matter Texas Longhorns (as long as they aren't playing the Bearkats!)
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE?
“Be who you are, and say what you think – because those who mind, don't matter and those who matter, don't mind.” Dr. Seuss
The truest quote I have ever heard in my life.
