Goodbye, Good Luck and Thank You Coach Carolyn Kieger

Last season was my first full season covering the Marquette University Women's Basketball team. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot about the game and the school. Right from Day One at Media Day, I was impressed with Head Coach Carolyn Kieger.

As a player, Coach Kieger was a four year starter on the Golden Eagles, a three year captain and is still the all-time assists leader for the team. She went on to become an assistant coach at the University of Miami, before returning to Marquette in 2014.

In her years at Marquette, Kieger compiled a record of 99-64. Making that record more impressive is her first season, the Golden Eagles were 9-22. She turned around the team and made them contenders in a few short seasons.

From Media Day through the season, Coach Kieger faced the press win or lose. She held her team accountable without ever laying blame. She made them tougher and stronger. Last season, they remained a powerhouse despite injuries to key players. She always had time for the press, whether in media sessions or informally around the arenas. She was a real joy to cover.

Unfortunately for Marquette, they lost to DePaul in the Big East Conference Tournament, then lost to Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Women's Tournament. It was a disappointing end to a tough, but exciting, season.

Shortly after the season ended, Kieger accepted the job as Head Coach at Penn State University. I congratulate Kieger and wish her well, but I will miss her at games. Still, I think it is great for the sport for former players to continue to succeed in the coaching field. While there are many ex-players coaching, there is always room for more. 

Goodbye, good luck and thank you to Coach Kieger. I don't cover Penn State, but I will be following her there/

Carolyn Kieger and me in Chicago, IL-March 2019.

The Big East Women's Basketball Tournament

The Big East Women's Basketball Tournament is coming to Chicago's Wintrust Arena March 9-12 and I will be "On the Beat" as always. I wrote an early preview of the tourney for the Patch at The Big East Women's Basketball Tournament Comes to Chicago. I also wrote several stories on Big East women's basketball for Global Traveler.

I had my first up close look at collegiate women's basketball at last season's tournament. The championship game saw DePaul beat Marquette. As exciting as it was to see my alma mater DePaul win in their home city, that game was only a small part of the excitement of the tourney.

That weekend launched me on a mission to cover and watch more collegiate women's basketball this season. The first step in that goal was Marquette's Media Day last November. I got to meet and talk to the coaches and the players.

Right from Coach Carolyn Kieger's opening statements, you could see Marquette was on a mission this season. She talked of high expectations. She stressed that the seniors needed to lead like last year's seniors. The others needed to step up their game to fill supporting roles.There was a real calm determination to her speech, but there was also the fun element.

She talked about wanting the players to experience all of this. That really hit home with  me, because I always try to soak in my moments. I always try to appreciate the special moments I have, like standing on Marquette's court interviewing this great team.

As of this writing, Marquette is meeting all expectations. Sitting in first place, they were undefeated until dropping a game last week. Still, they remain the team to beat, despite DePaul being the defending champs.

Of course, you can't count out DePaul. They sit in 2nd place and seem to be improving. Coach Doug Bruno isn't ready to concede the league title just yet.

Of course, there are other teams who might have plans for that title, too. The Big East isn't a 2 team league. Butler, Providence, Villanova and the others are all capable of putting a run together.

I am really looking forward to the tourny. It's going to be a weekend of great basketball, elite athletes, drama and entertainment.

You can go to BigEast.com to get all of the latest news and the tourney info. I hope to see Wintrust packed with basketball fans!

Carolyn Kieger and me in Milwaukee, WI-November 2018.

On the Beat With the Marquette Golden Eagles

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of covering the Big East Conference Women's Basketball Tournament in Chicago. The title game featured the DePaul Blue Demons defeating the Marquette Golden Eagles. I was so impressed with those teams and the tourney in general. I decided then to expand my coverage of the Big East.

That expanded coverage started last Monday, when I attended Media Day at Marquette. Held at the Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, I joined many other media members in talking to the team and watching some of the practice.

Head Coach Carolyn Kieger opened the session by talking about high expectations for the team. She quickly added that "execution beats expectations." You can hear her opening statement in the video below.

I talked to Coach Kieger later, complimenting her on the team's play in the Bog East tourney. Of course, the ultimate outcome was not the desired one for the team, but with 2 consecutive title games, including winning the title the previous season, the Golden Eagles should be proud of their accomplishments.

She cautioned the team about resting on their laurels and I don't see that as a problem. This team is hungry and loaded with talent. With six returning seniors, including the 2018 Big East Player of the Year Allazia Blockton, this team has the experience (and the post-season experience, too) to have another run at the title.

Coach Kieger further impressed me when talking about the final season for the seniors. She talked about wanting them to leave their mark and to enjoy the journey. I am a big believer in soaking in the experience and took a moment to just absorb my surroundings.

I was actually standing on the court for Media Day with a major college basketball team. I was talking to a classy coach who is a former standout player during her days at Marquette. I was about to talk to some of the best athletes in the country.

Just a year ago, I couldn't name one of these women though. I am admittedly a newbie on the women's collegiate basketball scene, but my interest is ever-growing. Despite not garnering the coverage these women deserve, they do have a very loyal fanbase.

I thank Marquette University for their hospitality. I thank Assistant Director of Communications Megan O'Shea for facilitating all. I thank Coach Kieger and the team for their time and consideration.

I have several stories from Media Day which will appear here over the next few weeks. I will also have additional coverage as the season progresses.

You can read one of my recaps on the Patch at On the Beat at Marquette Women's Basketball Media Day. You can read my recap for Global Traveler at The Marquette Golden Eagles.

Check out Marquette Women's Basketball for more info on this team. Also, check out BigEast.com for more info on the conference. Of course, you can also check back here for my recurring coverage, including more stories from Media Day.