Today’s Streaks Alumni Profile is with Chris (Kennedy) Amelon from the GHS Class of 1990.
I got to know Chris as a basketball player for the Streaks. Chris had grown up playing sports and was always a “heady” athlete in both basketball and softball.
Most importantly, she was always are great teammate and a leader with her work ethic.
Today she lives in Iowa City, and is a huge Hawkeye fan.
Favorite Teachers/Classes at GHS…
Loved American Studies with Mr. Devore and Mrs. Stewart, I loved Psychology with you, and even found chemistry with Mr. Spencer not too bad :)
Some of favorite memories from GHS…
I think I remember most those sweaty summer league games with no air-those were very free playing and super fun. I loved Homecoming week and powder puff football! I loved the fight song-Hi O Silver Away!
Education after GHS…
I attended the University of Iowa where I graduated in 1994 with a BA in psychology and a minor in political science. After 4 years in Iowa City, I was in love with the city and my future husband Ron, and we settled here and never left.
Adult Life…
I spent time as a stay at home mom until my kiddos were school age then I began a career in strength and fitness coaching, which is what I remain in today…
All of us who are Caitlin Clark fans need your take on Caitlin, since you have followed her for quite sometime…
Ah Caitlin Clark….I have a few insights for you from that close up look and also seeing the evolution from her Freshman year to her Senior Year….
Caitlin did not have fans to watch her in person her first year, as it was a return from CoVid. The fame and attention really didn’t happen until halfway through her junior year. The last second shot against Indiana and then Iowa’s deep run in the NCAA all the way into the National Championship. After that her life would not be the same here in Iowa City.
By her senior year it was a constant parade of celebrities to watch her play. Sue Bird, Jason Sudekis, Travis Scott, Nolan Ryan, David Letterman. It was a full time job for the Iowa ticketing and marketing to handle all the requests they got. It was crazy and a complete frenzy by her senior year. Every road arena was also sold out-schools that had never sold out a game. Secondary market tickets reached a Taylor Swift level of price.
The unknown part of Caitlin really was the time she spent by herself and manager working on her game at the arena…No crowds, no teammates (she preferred to shoot by herself to limit distractions). Hours and hours relentlessly honing her craft. There is simply NO substitute for getting in the gym and doing the work.
Getting Caitlin to be patient and be aware of poor body language was the Iowa staff’s biggest challenge. A lot of time and effort was spent making her aware of her actions and how they may effect her teammates. Getting her to understand that with all her talent, they could not achieve as a team until she learned not to be so reactive. A sports psychologist was brought in not just to work with the team but also Caitlin herself. She made tremendous strides (although not perfect) in this time. As a result, the team reached heights that no Iowa team had reached. Back to back appearances in the National Championship.
I think in many ways Caitlin misses that nurturing presence of the Iowa coaches in the WNBA. They did not get enough credit for all the work they did with Caitlin in this regard. It was a tough love at times, they would kick her out of practice. They would show her videos of her body language. It was a bumpy process….
Finally, I would tell you Caitlin is like Beethoven….The Iowa coaches knew they just needed to give her a piano and let her play. She would hit some bad “notes” from time to time, but in the end it would develop into the most extraordinary player the women’s game had ever seen. Their ability to see all of Caitlin’s potential and nurture it is some of the most untold stories nationally.
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