Interview with Coach Scott
Recently, I sat down with Coach Scott, our new Director of Athletics, to talk about her goals for Ellis athletics, what it was like to be a college athlete and coach, what advice she has for student athletes, and much more.
You have basketball roots on both sides of your family. Was there any pressure to play ball because of that?
“I don’t think it was pressure. It was just more of the norm growing up. I was always in a gym somewhere, running around or watching high school and college basketball. I don’t think it it was necessarily pressure because no one was like, “You have to play basketball,” but I think it was the only thing I knew, and I wanted to play. I was excited to create my own path through basketball since I had seen so many teams and I was excited to do my own thing- both of my parents are from Pittsburgh. My dad went to Avonworth High School and my mom went to Carrick High School. In college, my dad went to Duquesne and my mom went to Pitt, and they both played basketball there.”
What was it like being an assistant coach in a Division 1 basketball program?
“I was an assistant coach at La Salle in Philadelphia, and it was really enjoyable for me. A really great learning experience. Whenever I was playing at Pitt, probably my junior or senior year at college, I figured out I wanted to coach. I had the option of playing ball overseas, but I was interested in teaching and learning the game from a different aspect. When I got the job at La Salle, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was so eager to learn as much as I could about coaching, and more importantly, develop a close bond with the girls and for them to know that they could trust me, not only as a coach, but as a positive mentor.”
Describe what is was like to be a college student and college basketball star. Do you have any advice for student athletes?
“I loved playing basketball in college and just being in college in general. And I think being an athlete in college teaches you a lot of things, and so much time is your own. You have to make decisions based on time management, and you have to go to practice, games, and classes. There are so many things you have to do-it’s like a full time job. I think it teaches you a lot of responsibility and character, and sometimes I just drive by Pitt and think, “Oh, I wish I was still there and still playing.” I loved it so much, and I think it was comparable to coaching because I was just basically teaching the girls some of the things that I learned throughout my college career. I could give them advice about decisions good and bad that I made playing in college.”
Click here to read the full article in The Ellisian Times.
Back
“I don’t think it was pressure. It was just more of the norm growing up. I was always in a gym somewhere, running around or watching high school and college basketball. I don’t think it it was necessarily pressure because no one was like, “You have to play basketball,” but I think it was the only thing I knew, and I wanted to play. I was excited to create my own path through basketball since I had seen so many teams and I was excited to do my own thing- both of my parents are from Pittsburgh. My dad went to Avonworth High School and my mom went to Carrick High School. In college, my dad went to Duquesne and my mom went to Pitt, and they both played basketball there.”
What was it like being an assistant coach in a Division 1 basketball program?
“I was an assistant coach at La Salle in Philadelphia, and it was really enjoyable for me. A really great learning experience. Whenever I was playing at Pitt, probably my junior or senior year at college, I figured out I wanted to coach. I had the option of playing ball overseas, but I was interested in teaching and learning the game from a different aspect. When I got the job at La Salle, I had no idea what I was doing, but I was so eager to learn as much as I could about coaching, and more importantly, develop a close bond with the girls and for them to know that they could trust me, not only as a coach, but as a positive mentor.”
Describe what is was like to be a college student and college basketball star. Do you have any advice for student athletes?
“I loved playing basketball in college and just being in college in general. And I think being an athlete in college teaches you a lot of things, and so much time is your own. You have to make decisions based on time management, and you have to go to practice, games, and classes. There are so many things you have to do-it’s like a full time job. I think it teaches you a lot of responsibility and character, and sometimes I just drive by Pitt and think, “Oh, I wish I was still there and still playing.” I loved it so much, and I think it was comparable to coaching because I was just basically teaching the girls some of the things that I learned throughout my college career. I could give them advice about decisions good and bad that I made playing in college.”
Click here to read the full article in The Ellisian Times.
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