College Coaches speak out!

[Homer Hawks Site Administrator]

WOC Speaks Out - Larry Ray U of Arizona Coach
Posted by WOC on 10/25/2008, 7:16 pm

> Here we go. I will ask you the questions and you can answer them:
>
> Coach Ray: We met some years ago when you were at Florida. Do you miss being
> the head coach?
>
> Answer: I feel like a head coach here as Coach Candrea was gone in '04 and '08
heading the Olympic team. He is called away alot for various things and relies
on me to run things in his absence so I feel like I did when I was
"officially"a head coach.
>
> Coach Ray: Being at the number one D1 program in the country must make
> recruiting a lot easier than at most schools. Do you have to compete
> very mush for your athletes - who are all top choices?
>
> Answer: First of all, recruiting is never easy. The players we go after have
tremendous programs to choose from so you have to put your best foot forward
all the time. The thing that winning produces is that most players will, at
least, consider the UofA.
>
> Coach Ray: There was a lot of disappointment when our Olympic team did not
> take the gold. Do you think some of the veterans should not have been on that
> team and replaced by some of the current college players?
>
> Answer: . I feel that the '08 Olympic Team was the very best team EVER
assembled. Just because they didn't win the gold doesn't mean they weren't the best, it's very
difficult to beat good teams 3 times within a given tournament and my hat is off to Japan. I can't think of a current college player that could have replaced the 15 on the USA team.
>
> Coach Ray: You will be coming to our warehouse to do your slapping camp this
> Fall. Will you have DVD's for sale for the clientele?
>
> Answer: . When I come at the end of Nov., I will be both my DVD's on slapping.
"Teaching The Slappers" was my first and is a basic intro. into this skill.
"The Total short Game" is what I've learned 15 years later, covers feet and
hand positioning, hard and soft slaps, right handed short game, and the 2nd
half is on baserunning principles.
>
> Coach Ray: scouting rules to ban fall exposure tournaments?
>
> Answer: I think the restrictions we placed on ourselves, regarding
recruiting, is not a good thing. Ultimately, we are affecting the student-athlete and I
feel that the more opportunities young ladies have to perform in front of college
coaches, the better. The Thanksgiving tournament that use to be held in
California was a great opportunity for colleges to complete their unmet needs
during the signing period.

Thanks, ED

[Homer Hawks Site Administrator]

WOC Speaks Out - Lindsay Chouinard - Northern Illinois
Posted by WOC on 10/29/2008, 9:27 pm

Coach Chouinard: It has been one year since you have taken over at NIU. Has the administration been supportive of all your requests and ideas?

Answer: Northern’s administration has been open to my requests and ideas. The Athletic Director who hired me (Jim Phillips) has left, and Jeff Compher has done a great job of keeping the momentum. The direction of the athletic department and support given by the administration are why I chose to take this job. And even with change, their support has been unwavering.

Coach Chouinard: It appears you have fresh young assistants, much like you.
Do you feel good with them since they are all fairly young and inexperienced?

Answer: I am extremely confident is my coaching staff. While Megan and Kara are young, I think that is an advantage we have moving forward. We all have played at the highest level of collegiate softball and understand what it takes to be successful right now. Megan and Kara can relate to our players on every level. Playing top level division one softball, competing in the Women’s College World Series and playing at the professional level are accolades they garner together. I can’t think of many other coaching staffs who can say the same.

Coach Chouinard: How was your first recruiting class coming joining you this
Fall? Do you see a great improvement over 2008 with your team with these?
recruits? What are your strengths?

Answer: We have added eight new players to our team this fall and I am really excited to have them. Their energy and desire to be successful in this game is contagious within our team. And this attitude is the first step towards improvement. This fall we were competitive in every game that we played. I think that speaks volumes to the talent and impact these new players are having.

Coach Chouinard: Do you think you will be able to compete in the MAC this
soon after retooling and rebuilding?

Answer: Absolutely. I think we are competitive right now, and will be more so every subsequent year. We beat the MAC champions (Kent State) last year. It is all about finding consistency in our play. With hard work and dedication, the girls will play with more confidence and consistency.

Coach Chouinard: Who are your top recruits for this year? Do you have some?
great 2009's coming in next fall:

Answer: We have a great group of girls coming in next fall. The nice thing for us is we are now in a place where we can recruit the way we like to: instead of plugging positions we are looking for athletes who play the game the right way. Northern Illinois softball is in a great place as we move forward. Watch for us this spring!

[Homer Hawks Site Administrator]

WOC Speaks Out - Myra Minuskin - St. Xavier University
Posted by WOC on 11/7/2008, 1:39 pm


Coach Minuskin: You have been at St. Xavier for some time now. How many years have you been there? What was your highest finish in the NAIA National Tournament?

Answer: I have been at Saint Xavier for 8 years. Our highest finish at the NAIA National Championships was 7th place.

Coach Minuskin: Since you are an NAIA member you do not have the same rules and guidelines in recruitment and scholarships. Do you have a limit on the amount of scholarships you can give? Do you have a limit on how many games you can play during the season and the Fall?

Answer: In the NAIA, we can give the equivalent of 10 full rides but this includes all institutional aid (academic, R.A., etc.). We can schedule a total of 30 dates (including 2 scrimmage dates) between the Fall and the Spring.

Do you ever contemplate St. Xavier ever joining the NCAA?

Answer: I do not think SXU will join the NCAA any time soon. We were approached by the Great Lakes to take the spot of SIU-Edwardsville and declined. We are fortunate to be centrally located in our conference. Joining the NCAA would involve much more travel within the conference.

Coach Minuskin: What is your main recruiting area?

Answer: My main recruiting area is the Southwest suburban region and northwest Indiana. There is so much local talent that it is not necessary to recruit players from across the country. Also, the local athletes have the advantage of family and friends being able to see them play more often.

Coach Minuskin: Do you thing the NAIA is easier to comply with compliance issues?

Answer: NAIA compliance is easier in terms of recruiting restrictions. However, the NAIA academic requirements are higher than the NCAA.

Thank you.

Ed Serdar