Vicki (Fields) Stewart- Athlete, Mom, Coach

Vicki #10.

Vicki Fields (now Vicki Stewart) graduated in 1989 from Galesburg High School. She started as a guard on the 1988 team which won Galesburg’s first Regional title. She was a very good player, and she was an even better teammate. When we took our first team to University of Michigan to for team camp in the summer of 1989, Vicki went as the coach for the team.

When I first started coaching girls basketball, very few of the moms had been athletes. It was the dads who had athletic experience and “expertise” to share with their daughters. I always wondered how the first generation of athletic moms would handle their athletic experience and parenting a female athlete.

Vicki Stewart certainly gives us some insight into the positive role an “athletic mom” can have on her daughter. Vicki has certainly been a great role model and leader, not only for her daughter but for many female athletes.  

Massey- You grew up in a family with all brothers- what was good and what was bad about that?

Vicki- It was a true blessing growing up with all brothers.  When I was 6 months old, my oldest brother, Steve, passed away in a drowning accident.  He was only 15 years old and I never had the opportunity to know him. Greg, the next brother, decided to leave home when he was 17 years old.  My main memory with him is when I was 4 years old.  We were in the process of building a new home on Carl Sandburg Drive and Greg was driving me over to help with the build.  He had an old car and I remember sitting on a cassette case to prompt me higher in his car.  When he went to turn the corner the door opened and I rolled out of the car (we did not wear seatbelts back then).  I only had some bumps and bruises.

Mark and Jerry, my next 2 brothers, are the ones who I spent all my time with before they got married and left home.  I was introduced to sports at a young age and very blessed to have a brother, Mark, who would take me in the backyard to work on my skills in basketball and baseball.  He spent much of his time disciplining me in my work ethic and teaching the importance of practicing on a regular basis.  He would never let me quit on a negative note when I was working on my skills.  He used a variety of coaching techniques to get me to work hard and get better.  A huge memory in my life with Mark is being the bat girl for his Monmouth College and Pioneer’s baseball team.  I learned a lot by watching many football and baseball games as I grew up with athletic brothers. 

Jerry and I became closer after I finished university in Wisconsin.  I am thankful for the time they both took in building our relationship together.  Even though I did not grow up with Greg in the house, we have a wonderful relationship across the miles.  I believe this is all because of the wonderful parents we had, who taught us the importance of relationships.  Some would ask me if I was sad that I didn’t have a sister, but I was blessed with sisters-in-law that have made a huge impact on my life.

Vicki as coach in Michigan- 4th from left.

Massey- I was always impressed with your mom and your dad in their approach to you as an athlete. Your dad was more intense but it was obvious that both of them just wanted the best for their daughter. You now have a daughter who is an athlete, what have you taken from your parents as you deal with your athlete?

Vicki- My first response is that I am probably as intense as my dad at times.  I would have to say that my parents taught me many things about having a daughter as an athlete.  They always made sure that I kept my priorities straight in all my commitments.  I was taught to embrace my role as an athlete on a team, and how I needed to be dedicated to the team as a positive player.  Both of my parents made sure I knew the importance of respect towards the coach, other players and supporting staff on a team.  I was taught the importance of a strong work ethic and to never give up.  I always had the opportunity to share my feelings and concerns with my parents, which was important when I needed to work through situations or make decisions. 

I felt supported through the good and bad times in all my years as an athlete.  This has proven crucial when I’ve observed my own daughter struggling in volleyball, basketball or softball and just needing a safe place to learn from her mistakes.  I am told by many people who see my daughter and I in our relationship as coach/teacher/mother to an athlete/student/daughter, that we set a positive example for others.  I owe much of that to my own upbringing.

Vicki #10- 1988 team- GHS first girls bb regional champs. 

Massey- When I was first coaching, the girls just had dads who had played sports. I always wondered how you as a "first generation" female athlete would be as parents. How do you think you have been influenced as a parent by your experience as an athlete?

Vicki- It has been huge in my life as a parent to have the experience as an athlete throughout my life.  I started at a young age playing baseball on an all boys team, which gave me an interesting start in sports.  Generally, girls did not play baseball, and the boys would make fun of a girl for trying. This definitely developed toughness in taking on challenges that seemed difficult.  I then decided to move into softball to participate with girls my age and develop in a sport that I could excel in for high school.

I also started basketball at a young age, when I started to attend your basketball camps in the summer.  In Grade 6, there was a group of us girls (from Churchill) who wanted to play in the boys YMCA league.  We took this challenge on and it helped us develop in our skills to play at a higher level. As I progressed through high school playing basketball and softball at Galesburg High, then continuing to CSC and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I developed many tools to put into my parent belt that would be used to then impact my children.  As an athlete, I gained leadership skills, patience, strong work ethic, dedication/commitment to sporting teams, strong discipline, positive team experience, great friends, and coaches who impacted my life.

Massey- How did you end up in Canada?

Vicki- After I graduated from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, I moved back to Galesburg, to start my career in coaching and working in physical therapy as an assistant/athletic trainer with schools.  Within a year, I met a youth pastor in town who had moved to Galesburg after graduate school in Indiana.  He was a Canadian named Roger.  We were introduced by a good friend who thought we would be great together.  He heard that I played softball and asked me to play on the slo-pitch team for the church.  We started dating and were married in April of 1996. 

We moved to Farmington Hills, Michigan, where we lived for 4 years.  Roger was employed as a youth pastor for Farmington Hills Church of God.  We had our son, Stephen, in June 1999.  Within the next year, we then moved to Morden, Manitoba, where my husband became a Senior Pastor for the Church of God.  In September 2001, we had our daughter, Sarah. 

I started coaching softball and substitute teaching in Morden before we moved to Edmonton in August 2004.  I began working as an educational assistant at Millwoods Christian School, where Stephen was attending school in Kindergarten.  Within a couple years, I went back to University to complete my after degree in Education.  I graduated with my Bachelor of Education in Dec. 2010.  I have been teaching at Millwoods Chrisitan School since March 2011.  I was recently promoted to Department Head of Physical Education and Athletic Director for Jr. and Sr. High.  My husband has been the Senior Pastor at Journey Church of God since we moved to Edmonton.  He also is a bus driver part time for the Edmonton Public School District.  Stephen just graduated from high school and is attending Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, studying Behavioral Science.  Sarah is currently a junior in high school, and has started to explore her university options for volleyball or basketball.  Unfortunately in Canada, there are no softball options for university.

Massey- It appears you are going to be a Canadian forever? From your experience, what is better about Canada vs. USA?

Vicki- There are a few factors that seem to make Canada a better option for us.  First, we have medical coverage available to everyone.  Alberta has medical coverage for all people who live in the province after 3 months.  I also have extra medical to cover our family’s physical therapy, dental, eye and other expenses.  Second, the education system is different when comparing the curriculum/standards and the teacher’s are paid at a higher salary.  Third, it is much more culturally diverse. Canada seems to be more unified and there is less racial tension. It is inclusive of all nationalities and cultures, and the diversity is rarely a lightning rod for controversy.

Massey- You were involved coaching your daughter? What coaching did you do? How was that experience like?

Vicki- I started coaching my daughter in softball at age 6.  We played community softball for the Southeast Zone.  This is where I met one of my closest friends, Barb and her daughter, Kristen, who is a dear friend to my daughter.  We coached together for many years in this zone until it was time to move to a higher level of softball in our area.  We started club softball and I moved into the role of an assistant.  Sarah was one of five very strong pitchers on the team, and together we had the opportunity to help the River City Hornets finish this past season as the fifth ranked U16 team in all of Canada.

As for basketball, I started coaching at the Jr. High (Grades 8 and 9) Millwoods Christian School program in 2007.  The first thing I had to learn in this program was that these students held an understanding very different from mine of what commitment to practice and winning was all about.  It was a huge adjustment for me as I had players who did not work on their skills in the off-season.  It was just a time of the year to play basketball and have fun. The challenge was difficult, but I did learn a lot as I moved into my second year of coaching.  I spent time developing a program that would hopefully achieve success in many areas of the lives of the female athletes who wanted to play basketball.  It wasn’t just about the skills in the game, but helping them to develop as people in being disciplined and responsible.  I decided to take a year off as I was in university full time studying for my teaching degree. 

After I graduated I went back to coach as an assistant at the high school level with Millwoods Christian School.  During this time, I learned many great things about the x’s and o’s of the game.  I was able to get many new drills and ideas to help develop a team from ground zero.  Then the time came when my daughter was in Jr. High and I was asked to move to her team.  I was honored to coach her and the girls on that team.  They had a strong work ethic and needed guidance in skill development on the court.  In Sarah’s freshman year, the basketball team set a school record by going undefeated in the Tier 2 league and winning the Premiere City Championship.  I was blessed to then move back to the Sr. High Women’s team as Sarah entered her sophomore year. 

In all the years of coaching my daughter, I would not trade it for anything and would definitely say that we have developed quite an understanding together.  There are times when she needs the mother side from me and then there are the times she needs that coaching voice to get her back in the game.  I take pride in her abilities and strong work ethic that she has developed over the years.  She is a gifted athlete and displays strong leadership on each of the teams she’s a part of.  The real difference between the two of us is that she has an ability to elevate her game and her performance when she becomes upset or angry, whereas those emotions would affect my play in an opposite manner.  She is definitely driven to compete.

Vicki- Your brother is my regular UPS guy. How often do you get back to Galesburg? What do you miss about Galesburg?

Vicki- Since we have moved to Edmonton, Alberta, we don’t get home as often.  Before my dad passed away, we were pretty regular in getting home for Christmas and even during the summer when we could.  The drive is long and at Christmas, the roads we have experienced have been rough many times.  We normally try to visit once a year, either at Christmas or in the summer, as we prefer the warmer weather.  My mother has been out to visit us when her health is good.  My brother, Jerry and his wife, Rebecca, came out for a visit and loved this area.  We took them to Banff National Park up in the Rocky Mountains, which are close by. It is a challenge to be so far away from my family, but I am thankful for the way we stay in touch.  I definitely miss the sporting community in Galesburg.  That was special for me as a child growing up and then as an athlete for Galesburg High.  There is a strong sense of belonging and until you are out of that type of setting, you don’t truly understand what we had there in our years together.

Massey- Having played sports, having a daughter who has played sports- what advice do you have for a young player who says they want to play?

Vicki- I highly encourage all young players to be involved in sporting activities.  It is important to try different type of sports to find your passion and desires of your heart.  There are so many individual or team sports to help a young player develop as a person and acquire many skills that will be used later in life.  It is not just about the skill in the sport, it also involves the opportunity to meet so many people and develop relationships, traveling to many great places and possibly playing at higher levels of competition.  I would let them know it may not always be easy as they try to develop in that sport, but working through it develops perseverance.

Massey- What are your best high school memories?

Vicki- As a sophomore, I remember struggling in my skills, but I was determined to play varsity.  The coach challenged me and I committed to a strong work ethic plan to improve my skills.  I was so excited when I had the opportunity to dress in a Varsity uniform and be a part of that team as a support.  It was a privilege to play on the court for Coach Massey and the team. 

My next best memory is when we won the regional title and continued to develop as a team/program at Galesburg High.  We had a group of players who wanted more and were willing to make the commitment together as a team. 

The final memory that will stick with me forever is the home game against Moline in the play-offs.  We lost the game, but it was the only game where I had the opportunity to play in front of so many fans.  We played so hard and the fans were so supportive, especially our parents.  It was an honor to have played with athletes who left a mark at Galesburg High.  I am thankful for those years with Shannon, Linda and Melanie.  Coach Massey has impacted my life in many ways and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a player for him.  His investment in me is becoming more and more evident as I continue to follow in some of the same coaching paths he has travelled, and for that I am most grateful.