Heidi Buehler

Heidi Buehler, UCC's all time leading scorer, left a post on my Facebook wall that's a great reminder as to why I coach. I can't remember our exact won-loss records when Heidi played between 2000-2002 (although I do know we won a LOT of games!) but I do remember the road trips, our talks in the office, the time we spent laughing, and the intensity that she brought to every team practice and individual workout. It's a great feeling to know that you've made a positive difference in someone else's life!

Here's Heidi's post: "Thanks for the B-Day wish. . .I miss you too Dave:) You are a huge reason I am the person I am today. I can't say that I have ever had someone in my life that has pushed me and cared about me as much as you have. I know that I am only ONE out of 100 people you have helped over the years but I must say that UCC was life changing. Thank you. . .I have much LOVE for You."

Seattle University Hall of Fame

My dad, Richard Stricklin, and I have worked together in one capacity or another for over 20 years. First I was his assistant coach at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California, then we were co-coaches, then he was my assistant here at Umpqua for several years. And even though he is no longer involved on a daily basis he still scouts, watches game tape, and works with our post players when his time permits. It's been a great partnership over the years!

Last week, "Big Coach" as the players have affectionately called him since 1990 (thanks to Donna Gondringer Jasper), was inducted into Seattle University's Athletic Hall of Fame and quite honestly, it's about time!

Just look at his numbers and how well they have held up over the last 52 years. He played at SU from 1954-57, back when freshmen weren't eligible to play at NCAA schools and long, long before the shot clock and three point line were even considered. Yet despite those disadvantages he is still eighth on Seattle's all-time scoring list with 1,595 points; fourth on their all-time rebounding list with 924 rebounds and second on the SU free throw list as well with 495.
Over the course of his career Big Coach averaged 18.8 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Kind of makes you wonder what he could have done with an extra season!

As a basketball coach and fan I couldn't be more impressed. As a son, I couldn't be prouder!!

Stanford Cardinal Basketball Examiner: Will Westhead style challenge Stanford women's supremacy?

UCC's style of offense and Kristi Fallin are mentioned in this Bay Area article:

Stanford Cardinal Basketball Examiner: Will Westhead style challenge Stanford women's supremacy?

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At UCC We Like Being "Abnormal"

"Winning is not normal and those who constantly win follow an "abnormal" path. The discipline, dedication, and sacrifices are incomprehensible to those thousands standing outside looking in, who are capable of joining he winning team, yet unwilling to pay the price of admission."
(Author Unknown)

The Best Player to EVER Come out of Onahill, Idaho

is without a doubt UCC sophomore Cassie Scheffelmaier, who after being named 1st Team All NWAACC Southern Region, recently signed a National Letter of Intent and received a full basketball scholarship to Carroll College in Helena, Montana.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/womensbasketball/2009-04-28-3435027022_x.htm

At the beginning of the season I was working on our web page rosters when Cassie walked in to the office, saw what I was doing, and quickly informed me that she wasn't really from Kootenai, Idaho like I had listed. Kootenai was the name of the high school but not the town. When I asked her where she lived Cassie told me that the nearest town was Harrison but they received their mail in Cataldo. "Well, where do you live?" I asked again while laughing. "Just out in the country on a hill." Cassie replied. So I hit the delete button and erased Kootenai from the web page roster and typed in "Onahill" instead. (On a hill) Cassie and I both laughed for a while and then forgot all about it.

Until we played in the Clackamas Thanksgiving Tournament and the starting lineups were announced. "At guard, a 5'8' sophomore from Onahill, Idaho. . .Cassie. . . Scheffelmaier!!" I smiled, Cassie chuckled, and her parents, who made the trip over from Idaho laughed out loud. Then Cassie proceeded to turn in arguably the best single game performance in the history of the NWAACC, not to mention Onahill, Idaho, when she scored 50 points and grabbed 21 rebounds!

After that game every announcer declared that Cassie was from Onahill at all home and away games and not a single person ever caught on to our inside joke. However, one of the coaches recruiting Cassie did mention that their whole staff spent nearly an entire day trying to locate Onahill before finally giving up and deciding to ask us where the heck it was!

I think it's safe to say that there will never be another player like Cassie Sceffelmaier from Onahill, Idaho. Who knows? Maybe next year the roster can list her new home town as Hanna, Montana!!

University of Oregon Announces Signing

The following article showed up today on the University of Oregon's athletic department web site:
http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=4307&SPID=236&ATCLID=3735717&DB_OEM_ID=500

Kristi Fallin Signs at University of Oregon

When our players are being recruited by four year schools I tell them that there are four factors to consider: location, school, basketball program, and money and they need to decide which of these factors are the most important. Are they willing to take less money in order to go to a good program in an great location? Do they want/need a full scholarship even if it means playing on a lousy team in a bad location? Etc. Etc. Lots of possibilities. Most get two of the four. The lucky ones get three of the four. Kristi Fallin got all four!

On Monday Kristi signed a National Letter of Intent and accepted a full scholarship to play at the University of Oregon, which is only an hour away. She is going to be coached by newly hired Paul Westhead, who besides winning both NBA (LA Lakers) and WNBA (Phoenix Mercury) Championships, runs an offense that wants to get a shot off in the first five seconds of each possession and generates a lot of three pointers at the end of the fast break and sideline break.

Last season the leading three pointer shooter in NCAA Division 1 made 116 threes. Kristi made 118. We play fast but not as fast as Westhead's shoot first ask questions later style of play. Kristi has a chance to be very, very successful in that system.

Follow the links below to read about Kristi's signing on the NWAACC website, in The News-Review, and on Douglas County Sports Online
http://www.nwaacc.org/news.php?id=744

http://www.nrtoday.com/article/20090504/SPORTS/905049921/1012/NONE&parentprofile=1056

http://www.douglascountysportsonline.com/sportsline/kristi-fallin-to-play-basketball-at-oregon.html

Happy Birthday Linda!!!

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "My chief want in life is someone who will make me do what I can!" I've always tried to be that "someone" in the lives of our players and have tried to help them reach their goals by raising their level of expectation, by putting them in a position to succeed, by teaching them, by patting them on the back and when necessary, kicking them in the butt. (figuratively, of course!)

That "someone" in my life is my wife Linda. I don't want to be too personal or go into too much detail but I can tell you that Linda completely understands my overwhelming desire to compete and to win and so willingly takes care of a million little things and a few dozen big things so I can do what I do best. She gets little recognition and not enough appreciation and yet without her help and influence neither I, nor Taylor nor our basketball family would be nearly as successful.

Happy Birthday Linda!! I love you!!