All Entries Tagged With: "Angel McCoughtry"

A Few Softball Questions For Jeff Walz

Our intrepid reporter was not armed with any deep probing questions but she did gain some interesting insights into the mindset of Jeff Walz, coach of the University of Louisville women’s basketball team. She interviewed him a few weeks before Chauntise Wright was injured.

By Sonja Sykes

You’ve been the Lady Cards head coach for 20 months now. How are things going?

Our time in Louisville has been a very fast but exciting time. So much has happened in such a short period that my staff and I are trying hard to make sure we enjoy every moment. I am very fortunate to work for a great athletic department with Tom Jurich and Julie Hermann. They have both made this a very smooth transition.

What’s the biggest challenge about being a head coach?

The hardest thing are the months May through September. During the season, the daily schedule is pretty much set and you know when your next trip is, who your next opponent is and you prepare. The other months consist of lots of speaking engagements, RECRUITING and many nights spent out in the community. I have loved every minute of my time here and once I get adjusted, I know it will become easier.

Where are you in regards to your career?

I am very excited where I am at this point. I have had the opportunity to work at Western Kentucky, Nebraska, Minnesota and Maryland as an assistant before becoming the head coach at Louisville. I know that my time at those four schools and winning a National Championship at Maryland helped me get ready for this job.

If you weren’t coaching basketball, what would you be doing?

If I was not coaching basketball I would be a teacher. My undergraduate degree is in Secondary Education with and emphasis in Business Education and I have a Masters Degree in Education from Western Kentucky.

Do you get pre-game nerves, and if so, how do you overcome them?

I really don’t get pre-game nerves as a coach. I used to more so as a player but have learned to relax more before the games as a coach. I have a great staff and we prepare as hard as anyone to make sure our players are ready for game day. When the players are prepared, it allows a coach to focus more on the game instead of being nervous.

November 10, 2008 | Sonja Sykes | Comments 0

Angel McCoughtry: Pre-Season All American

By Sonja Sykes

The Associated Press now acknowledges the skills of Angel McCoughtry but she says it’s not about her.

McCoughtry, a senior forward on the University of Louisville women’s basketball team, has been selected to the AP All-American first team. She collected the third most votes, behind Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris and UConn’s Maya Moore. It’s her second visit to the AP list, collecting second team honors last year.

It’s also a nod to the “Yes we can” philosophy that Angel carries with her these days about her and her teammates.

“I’m humbled by this honor. It was a dream of mine to bring national recognition to Louisville women’s basketball.” she commented yesterday. Note the wording of the statement. Not about her, not about the pride of the recognition, but about Louisville women’s basketball.

For Angel, the past two seasons have been all about the “yes we can…look what we can do” scenario. It was evident Monday night in the Lady Cards scrimmage. Barking out positioning and sets to the younger players on the court. Giving the high fives and hugs when teammates made big plays. Passing on shots to give other teammates the opportunity. In short, fulfilling the needs of the team, not the needs of the self.

Angel will be the “go to” crunch time player this year as she has been since her sophomore year. But she’ll do it in a team concept and won’t hesitate giving up the ball to the open player. Witness the Rutgers game last year in the Big East tournament. With seconds remaining and the game on the line, she was positioned…driving to the basket for a crucial shot..soaring through the air toward the hoop…and then tossing the ball to a wide open Candyce Bingham for an easy basket. It spoke volumes about the unselfishness, the team mind set and the maturity of the Cards leader.

Congratulations to Angel for another in a long list of accomplishments. An award and honor that she’ll enjoy briefly, and then return to the concentration and focus of making her team on the court the best they can be.

November 05, 2008 | Sonja Sykes | Comments 0

Giant Steps For Lady Cards

For those Card fans who recognized early on that women’s basketball has a great future at U of L, this has already been a memorable year. The Lady Cards, over the last half of the season and during the conference tournament, began taking the steps that will usher in a new era.

No longer will Lady Card teams be intimidated by the Rutgers, the UConns, the wildness at West Virginia. The returning talent on this team, which will be further strengthened by a top 10 recruiting class, is committed to making U of L a national contender in women’s basketball in short order. But first comes this year’s NCAA tournament and some more fine tuning.

Sonja’s Comments:

“I really canâ€™t say it much better than that. David nearly took down Goliath tonight. In Goliathâ€™s back yard, in front of family, friends and a bewildered ESPN crew. I wish Rebecca Lobo would just go ahead and get married, ya know? Give Angel and the girls all the props you can find for them. And stay tuned, folksâ€¦because the Big Dance is gonna love the way the Cards take to the floor. Rest well, ladies. You put on one heck of a show fora nationwide viewers tonight, and letâ€™s hope the Selection Committee was watching.

“Of course, it wouldnâ€™t matter to Angel if we get a #4 seed or a #14. Sheâ€™s gonna lace â€˜em up, set her jaw and come after you whether itâ€™s Tennessee or Tennessee-Martin. Whether itâ€™s in Hartford, the heartland or Hart County. And, her teammates feed off the frenzy.

“Geno, you won your Invitational, got your title and #1 seed. But, I hope you learned something more than all that. I hope you realize that thereâ€™s a new star rising in the Big East, and itâ€™s directly over the Ohio River. I hope we get you again. In the tourney, on a neutral court and without Rebecca Lobo fawning your every move. A rookie coach almost stole your crown, danced with your prom queen and finished your punch and cookies. Sleep well, Geno. Maybe with one eye open â€¦”

* * *

A shame the Women’s Big East Conference Tournament has to be played on any team’s home court. It’s not good in either women’s or men’s basketball for that matter. Officials are swayed. It’s a weakness, a human frailty, impossible to deny or overcome. What’s really laughable or downright sad — take your pick — is that the home court bias or lack of fortitude is so obvious in far too many cases.

March 11, 2008 | Charlie | Comments 0