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Two players received Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Awards 3rd seed in the SCAC Women’s Basketball Tournament. The first SU Women’s Basketball team to advance to the semifinals of the SCAC tournament. Four players named to the All-Conference Team: 2nd team – Shae Seagraves & Anna Fareed. Honorable Mention – Staley Mullins & Chelsea Leeder Senior Shae Seagraves is the first SU Women’s Basketball player to be named to the SCAC All Tournament Team Chelsea Leeder is the first SU Basketball player to be named Newcomer of the Year in the SCAC First 17 win season in over a decade
Kerri states that her job definitely throws “curve balls,” but her faith helps her stay grounded. With all of the adult problems her players face (death of a friend, divorcing parents, accidents, etc.) Kerri hopes that these young women see her as a coach that really cares about them as people. “My belief system and my faith definitely resonate as I try to give comfort and direction. Some of my players are of a different faith than me or they do not really have a faith. Even though we are different, I hope they develop a trust in me and feel comfortable sharing with me and seeking direction. What a blessing to be around young women on a daily basis!”
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“We deal with all kinds of life issues off the court, but when we step between the rectangle lines of the basketball court, we are all about getting better and working hard.” Kerri starts each practice with a “Thought for the Day.” And at the end of practice, they either give positive comments to each other, or confess individual weaknesses and strengths. She states, “I can recall one time this season when I forgot to have our session as I stated announcements and plans for the week. The team ASKED if they could compliment their teammates! I knew the team was “getting it” when they longed to praise one another. WOW!” For Kerri Brinkoeter personally, she has a few sayings of her own that keep her motivated and enthused. One quote by Eleanor Roosevelt states, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” And Kerri also shared this fact, “The only place where success comes before work is the dictionary!” And finally, from the Bible comes her strength: “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” I Corinthians 9:24. “This verse means a great deal to me because as a Christian woman, it is important to understand and realize that I am to coach in such a way to win the prize. Of course I have compassion, but I am commanded to do my job to become the best. Mediocrity is not acceptable. Working hard and working smart are imperative.”
Being Mom, Head Coach and Wife, Kerri states that juggling everything is sometimes a challenge. “I have to be extremely organized to get everything done; lunches made, kids to their activities, practice planned, game film watched, prepare for class, call recruits, have player meetings & find time to cook dinner!” Many times she feels stretched, when time is limited, but she states that she is intentional in spending time together as a family, and works to give them undivided attention. “I do my best to incorporate my family into my work life and they LOVE spending time in the gym with mommy and the team. I enjoy balancing the “struggles” of family life and work. I know my children love watching the team and they enjoy that mommy coaches basketball!” Many people involved in sports have a hero who influenced them, perhaps a late, great athlete who won many awards. However, Kerri’s heroes are her parents. “My parents were always there for my older brother and me. Not only were they present physically, but emotionally and spiritually, as well. My parents sacrificed greatly to send me to Southwestern University. They gave up luxuries like vacations & new cars. My mom even went back to work fulltime when I was in high school so mom & dad could prepare to have two children in college.” She states her parents drove over six total hours on weeknights to attend her basketball games. Their sacrifices, according to Kerri, allowed her to have an exciting, amazing college experience. Now as a parent herself, she fully appreciates their sacrifice, devotion and unconditional love.
Coaching also involves motivating players, day after day, practice after practice and game after game. “Enthusiasm and loving the job we do, is essential to success,” states Kerri.
Parents who have young athletes should encourage them to work hard at the sport they love, but to be a kid, as well, according to Coach Kerri. Kerri states that if college athletics are in your kids’ future, there will be “intentional steps that must be taken” for your child to be recognized and for you to find the “right fit” for you and your family. She further encourages parents to help their kids find a school they love “as if they were not playing athletics.” Even though connecting with a coach and team is critical, Kerri asks this question, “If they have a career ending injury, would they still enjoy being at this university?” She says the answer must be “Yes!”
In conversing with Head Coach Kerri Brinkoeter, I could hear in her voice the authority, the enthusiasm, the compassion, and the determination all wrapped up in the sound of her words. She was concerned at the time of our interview about an ill friend. At the same time, she was doing her best to answer my questions, and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be on our cover. If I had a child considering a university where she could thrive, on and off the court, I would certainly head up the road a few miles to one of the most beautiful campuses in Texas, to meet Kerri Brinkoeter. Read her quote at the beginning of this article again. She lives what she speaks, and that is why she’s Head Coach of a great women’s basketball team in our own community. Marcy Lytle
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