New coach gives Belles fresh start
Katie McVoy
Inside Saint Mary's Sports
Friday starts another season of Saint Mary's basketball and fans are anxiously waiting to see the handiwork of new head coach Suzanne Smith.
Former head coach Dave Roeder left the program last year after four years and four consecutive losing seasons that culminated in a 4-22 season last winter. Smith will have her work cut out for her in turning this program around.
"There is a long history of where the [basketball] program has been and it will take some time to change that," athletic director Lynn Kachmarik said earlier this year. "Having a full-time coach, however, will be the first step in changing that history."
Having a full time basketball coach is definitely the first step. The Saint Mary's basketball team has never had a full time coach. MIAA rival schools, such as Hope College have had full time coaches for years that can recruit for the teams and produce successful squads.
For the first time in its history, the Belles basketball team will be able to truly focus on recruiting and team development. These important issues, which have had to fall to the side when sharing a coach with a full time job, should afford the Belles the ability to make some serious strides this season. Fans have supported the basketball team through the dry years and this season their waiting may pay off.
In addition, the Belles have welcomed Sherry Donnelly to the program as an assistant coach. Donnelly is a basketball player herself and recently tried out for the WNBA. That kind of playing experience should work nicely with Smith's energy.
"[Donnelly and Smith] are going to bring this program to a new level. This year the women are going to get what they deserve," Kachmarik said.
What the basketball players deserve is a more successful season than in year's past. This season the new coaches and the players will have to start a change that may take place over a long period of time. Although fans cannot expect the Belles to finish first in a very competitive MIAA following a very difficult season last year, they can expect the Belles to turn in a more competitive finish.
Saint Mary's should have little trouble placing higher in the MIAA rankings than Olivet College that finished last season with only two league wins, and Adrian College that finished with only four league wins.
Friday night the Belles will take the first step on a road to improvement and victory. Fans should enjoy a more successful season this year with the youth and energy of a new head coach and a team that is looking to make strides.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 14, 2000
