Name:
Dawn Hoosier
Team:
Cincinnati Bearcats
Hometown:
Cincinnati, OH
I coach because...
I love the interaction with the players; to be able to influence their lives is a very special thing. There are so many life lessons learned through the game that can make them successful beyond the court. Basketball has given me opportunities that I never thought I would have. I hope to create those same opportunities in life for each young lady that plays at UC.
I also really like the Xs and Os side of the game. It’s a rush to know that you can out scout an opponent and see it come to fruition on the court.
What I expected coaching basketball to be:
More basketball than it really is. College coaching is a lot more like corporate America. I thought you “Just coached”. I am asked that question frequently. “Do you just coach?” Definitely not, there is much more to it then that.
What it really is:
It’s about knowing that you love the game and the people you build relationships through it and having the discipline and drive to do all the other tasks that aren’t as much fun.
Advice I would give to an aspiring basketball coach:
Remember why you wanted to be a coach in the first place and be true to that. Hopefully it was not for the money.
Why I love basketball:
It was always the thing I could turn to when everything else seemed too tough. It was always my outlet and it never let me down. Even with a loss, there were lessons to be learned. In turn I started to turn my life’s losses into lessons learned as well.
The women’s player that’s most fun to watch right now is...
Ivory Latta – although I’d like to see her be a little more humble.
The relationship between coaches and officials can often be best described as “love/hate”, how would you describe yours.
I just want an official without ego. Someone who will listen, will admit mistakes, while standing their ground if they are confident in their call.
I'd go crazy on a road trip without...
Decent food.
A player (past or present) that I’ve been the most inspired by is (and why)...
Madinah Slaise .
Three things I'd like to do before I die...
Jump out of an airplane; Travel to as many warm climate countries as possible; Live near a beach.
Working as part of a team with the other coaches allows me to...
To feel like part of a family of people who are driven towards a common goal. As boring as that sounds, achieving those goals together creates a bond for life. The sacrifices you make and the amount of investment it takes is unbelievable. Random people, as we call them just don’t understand. We are a family and the journey makes it all worthwhile.
The unsung hero of our team’s staff is...
Tammy Douglass and Niki Cianciola
Website I Visit Most Often: