Programs that count: Hoops to Heels

Thursday, November 19, 2009

For each game, the women’s basketball players know which jerseys, shoes and warm-ups to wear, but when it comes to a job interview, the answers sometimes aren’t as clear. That’s where Hoops to Heels, a mentor program for the women’s basketball team, comes into play.

Warming Up

For most student athletes, every minute goes into practicing, competing and school. Senior guard Kelly Kohn said she realized that there was life after basketball, and that she needed to be prepared to go into the real world. Through the Hoops to Heels program, Kohn has developed basic interview skills and learned how to build a résumé. Kohn said it was the small things — such as etiquette and dress code — that have helped her feel more comfortable as she made the transition as a student going into the job world.

“I don’t feel like I’m going to be thrown to the wolves when I get out there,” Kohn said.

Kohn also said the program brings in professional women to speak and practice basic skills of professionalism with the team. Kohn, who said she wanted to work in the sports marketing or broadcast field after she graduates, has been able to sit down with women who work for ESPN to get an inside view to what the field is like.

Key Players

One of the women who has worked with the players is Diana Robertson, director for the department of student housing at the University. Robertson has been a part of the program since its inception in April. Community members, faculty and professionals like Robertson work with the program in hopes of inspiring the players to look beyond their college basketball careers.

Trena Anderson, the director of women’s basketball operations, said the program had been in the works for about three years.

“These women we work with want us to be successful,” Kohn said. “They’re committed to helping us with what we want to do.”

“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and patience to succeed and become like these women,” senior guard Sade Morris said.

Future Stardom

Morris said she wanted to continue with basketball as a coach or maybe go into teaching after she graduates. Morris said she appreciated getting the extra help for career development. The mentors’ guidance in mock interviews and social networking have shown Morris what she’ll need for life after college, she said.

Anderson said it was an opportunity for the players to talk about something other than basketball. She said coach Bonnie Henrickson wanted players to be well rounded and expected them to represent the team well in their futures.

“The players need to realize they can wear something other than sweats to class every day and that they should if they want to be recognized as professionals,” Anderson said.

— Edited by Jacob Muselmann

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