POSES & PRO’S So, I learned to play because of my dad. When I would go out onto the court between games, he would always give me pointers. From a very young age I had a very sharp skill set because I had the best mentor, so I kind of had a leg up when I started joining teams and playing for school.
From there you basically had your choice of colleges you wanted to play for, correct? What was it like for you to play professionally, after college? Kate: Mostly, and I ended up choosing to play for the University of Colorado. We were always in the Top Ten and it was really challenging. We played in the NCAA Tournament. I had to put a lot of time and effort into basketball. After college I played professionally in Ireland for a year, which was a learning experience, before I came back to the States to play for the Colorado Chill, which was part of the NWBL at the time. Kathryn: She’ll never brag, but she was really good! And she set a record in the Big 12 Conference for making something like 44 consecutive free throws.
ent. What made you decide to pursue a different career path rather than keep playing basketball? Kate: I’d always wanted to do other things, too, it’s just that basketball took
The idea of starting at the bottom rung of a new career was scary. That’s a big part of the reason I kept playing as long as I did. Every country across the world has their own professional leagues and I probably could have followed that path for longer, but after a couple of years, I just knew it wasn’t what I wanted to do anymore. So I moved on to sports journalism. My first job was at the Ellensburg Daily Record, where I could write about what I knew: sports. I’d found my niche.
College led you both to some interesting places, and then beyond. How do you feel that the choices you made during and after college have led you to what you do now? Kathryn: I actually think that both of my majors are really useful in my job. Theatre and drama still come into play, because teaching is as much performing as it is relaying information. As a yoga teacher, I’m in front of people all the time, so having a background onstage is really useful in knowing how to keep peoples engaged.
My English degree is helpful, too, because I learned how to communicate with people on a deeper level. Kate’s vast reservoir of footwear are proudly displayed in her closet. Also, good storytelling is From fashion to workout sneakers, Kate has a pair for every occasion. another crucial part of beKate: We had a really good ing a teacher. Plus, in life, team and I wanted to be able to contribute up so much time. But I majored in Com- and especially when teaching any subject as part of that team, so I just worked super munications while I attended the Uni- really, you have to stay curious and be a hard to be good at basketball. versity of Colorado Boulder because I consumer of knowledge or your topic will also always wanted to be a writer. Bas- become stagnant and you’ll lose the attenAfter a few seasons with the Colora- ketball was something that I loved, but it tion of your students. It’s all those things do Chill, though (and while Kathryn was also one of those things where you that come together into one great packwas in L.A., learning to teach yoga) think, ‘I’ve put so much time and effort age that makes what I do an absolute joy. you felt it was time to move on from into this. I’ve spent 10 thousand hours your role as a professional basketball and have become an expert in this, I Kate: Like I mentioned, I wanted to be a athlete to something a little differ- guess I should see it through a little more.’ writer after college, but I’d put so much ef140 • CH+D • Fall 2019
