After news broke last week of his retirement, former IUP women’s basketball head coach Tom McConnell joined Todd Marino and “The Voice of the Crimson Hawks” Jack Benedict on Indiana in the Morning this morning to break down his storied career with the Crimson Hawks.
Conversation started with the question that’s clouded the minds of fans and media representatives alike for a while: why was now the time to call it a career?
“My wife and I, as we said many times, did a lot of talking, a lot of wrestling and a lot of praying…” he said. “In the end, we just felt this was the time and we have great clarity and peace with it.”
Talks continued with all three reminiscing on McConnell’s career at IUP. Topics consisted of former players, the growth of Education Day and postgame interactions at the KCAC.
McConnell discussed the 2016-17 season that saw the returns of Brittany Robinson and Lauren Wolosik, who missed the prior year due to injury. He thanked Frank Trenney – the team’s athletic trainer – for getting both players back on the court, and he also shared a story about Robinson and how she created awards from paper plates that she would pass out at the team banquet.
McConnell also shared his thoughts about the Education Day game, which was something he brought to IUP after coaching at Division I Old Dominion.
“I saw it grow there,” he said. “What I didn’t anticipate was the connection between our players and the different schools. We, then, had a chance to go into some of the schools and reconnect with them and our players would talk, motivate, challenge, and encourage through different presentations. That part of it became very special for us.
“Then, during the last couple years, the education department at IUP got involved and they took it to another level. It became extra special once the education department and what that staff did – they know who they are – was really special.”
After minutes of reminiscing, McConnell was asked what his next step in life was. He said that family will be a “big part” during that next stage, but he added that he would like to stay involved with the game as much as possible.
“I want to teach,” he said. “I love to teach. I love to present and motivate, but it was just time to stop doing it on a daily basis. The players deserved someone who was willing to do it.
“One of the things in the job description of a coach is to make this a positive experience for your players. So, I hope to do that moving forward, however that might be.”
Benedict, who called IUP women’s basketball for more than 30 years, talked about what set McConnell apart from other coaches he saw over the years.
“I think the overall atmosphere that Coach has presented to the women, the closeness… I think that whole comradely is special.”
When asked if he had recommended anyone for the vacant position, or if he had any idea of who his successor might be. He said that there isn’t anyone at the moment, but he “had a lot of great assistants, and there are several of them who have been amazing.”
McConnell ends his career with a 197-50 record, carrying four PSAC West championships, two PSAC tournament championships and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Atlantic Region championships and NCAA Elite Eight Semifinals.
To view the full interview, visit our WCCS Facebook page.
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