Streaks Basketball Alums: Casey Williams 2015

What was your favorite class (classes), favorite teacher (teachers)?

Surprisingly Math was one of my favorite subjects in school and I genuinely loved taking AP Calculus with Mrs. Kniker. It was a very challenging and work-load heavy course as it spanned over the course of a full school calendar year, but I feel like the competitive side in me loves a challenge. Not only did Mrs. Kniker teach that course on a college level, but it in fact did give me 8 college credits after passing the AP exam. She was the best to learn from. 

 

If we want to talk about least favorite teachers though, I did take Psychology at the high school and that teacher was something else…. Thank goodness he is retired now!  (Note- This is Casey’s humor, taking a jab at her HS coach.)

1981 Illinois Girls AA State Tourney

 

Don’t Wait ‘til Post-Season: Using Awards to Promote a Winning Culture

Early in my coaching career I did not give any post-season awards. It went back to my experience as a high school football and basketball player. 

The entire season my coaches promoted the value of a “team-first” attitude- it was all about the team not the individual. 

Then we got to the banquet, and they gave an MVP Award. It seemed the focus was not on the team’s achievements but the suspense of who would be the MVP. Players who had been great team players left the banquet feeling disappointed and perhaps unappreciated. 

As a result, I chose not to give any individual awards for much of my career. 

WNBA: What’s Up? How Do We Find Out?

Poor Coverage

At this point, I am not sure where the WNBA is headed. One problem is that the WNBA does not have the best reporters covering the league on TV and in the print outlets. 

I listen to a lot of NBA, College Men’s BB, and WNBA podcasts, read a lot about the leagues, and watch TV programing. It is striking how often in college men’s and in the NBA coverage there seem to few, if any secrets out there. The reporters are always saying, “Inside sources tell me,” or “executives are telling me.”

If WNBA reporters are connected to management, coaches, or players- it does not come across in reporting. 

As in many sports a significant program in understanding what is going on is that the primary source of info is ESPN. ESPN has become primarily an entertainment network, not a news network. And what complicates it is that ESPN owns rights to the WNBA, so it is obvious they want as much as possible to just promote the sport and avoid the negative. 

My point is that the WNBA is in a worse position than we realize- the WNBA is in a worse spot than anyone is telling us.

Ted Lasso Wisdom: A Coaching Clinic

I always love a great clinic, the opportunity to learn from the best coaches in the sport. Ted Lasso doesn't do a lot with X/O's, but he deals with the MORE important things- team work, goal setting, handling success, handling adversity, and so much more. 

I am taking some of Ted Lasso's great quotes, and matching them up with quotes from some of the greats in sports and psychology. It is quickly evident that Ted Lasso totally understands how to be a great coach!!

Massey Quiz #14- People of Galesburg

Can you identify these 20 people? The quiz is designed to celebrate how wonderful Galesburg is, and test your knowledge of our community. Enjoy and have fun!!

The answers are at the end of the quiz. Keep track of your score and read exactly what your score indicates. If you would like- share your score on the Facebook or Massey Blog under the comments.