“You have to be a psychologist in this day and age to be a coach. You have to know when to put the hammer down. But also know when to pick them up.” — scott Burrell
were always out playing in the neighborhood or at the local park, trying to find a game. I actually started playing really young, because I wanted to do everything that my big brothers did — and my big brothers played basketball. My first organized opportunity was with the fifth grade CYL [Catholic Youth League]. I was only in fourth grade, but I must have hounded every volunteer CYL coach. They eventually let me play, so I was a fourth grader on the fifth grade team. We actually did really, really well. I had my first taste of winning very young. SB : My family got me involved as well. My dad
coached football – so I was hanging around Yale my whole life. He coached New Haven baseball and Hillhouse lacrosse. I remember growing up and going to Yale games. I remember going to watch the Giants and the Jets play at Yale Bowl. So it was watching sports — and picking up little things while watching. kl : It was the same for me. My brother played
college basketball. But even when they were both in high school, I would go to every single game. . . . They gave me the opportunity to play. SB : My older brother played Little League baseball. I
was six — too young to join — and I wanted to play so badly. My parents signed me up early, and I played shortstop. I was doing well. My brother’s team was winning. kl : You were the ringer. SB : [laughing] A too young ringer. One day, I came
home from practice. We got dropped off by the coach, and I came in crying. My mom tells me I said to her, ‘They found out!’ I got kicked out of the league for a year until I was old enough.
do your players ask what it was like when you played? kl : They want to know about our experience in
2007 — winning the national championship and
what it takes to get there. Steph [assistant basketball coach Stephanie Hiriak, ’10] played with me on the team, and she’ll sometimes share stories about what we did and how we did it . . . how hard they have to work to get there. It’s a storied history at Southern going back to AIAW [Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women]. They were final four for three years in a row. We always remind them of the legacy — and the tradition that we are trying to build here. SB : The only time they asked me about it was during
my interview. . . . They asked me about Michael [Jordan] and playing for Chicago. Since then no one has asked me about that. . . . I think they are trying to feel me out as a coach. . . . I don’t want to make it about me. It’s about me coaching them and making them better.
But if they ask you? SB : But if they ask me? Sure, there is a lot to tap into.
what are some of the strengths of the current teams? SB : I lost 60 points a game from last year’s team . . .
three and a half starters. I have two guys coming back. Mike Mallory was a sixth man who came off the bench, and Desmond Williams is coming back as well. They are very talented players. I’ve got to find the pieces to fit around them for us to be successful. We brought in five new guys this year, and I think we have some good players to fit those spots. Obviously losing two guys who averaged 18 points a game is going to be tough. But the new guys are going to get the opportunity. I hope they are excited about the challenge. kl : I am going to second Scott. We certainly have
some strong pieces of our puzzle. They’ve all been working really hard. They push themselves and that is all I can ask for. Do we have the opportunity to win this year? Yes. If we keep our focus and stay together as a
continues Winter 2015 | 23