Presenting Well

[BigBird]

This has probably been said on the BY before, but I am always very impressed with the way our players and coaches present themselves with the media and the public. Our UConn kids speak clearly and thoughtfully. They show respect for others, both on and aside from the team. Sure, it's fun to watch them play. How could it not be? But in addition to being top-shelf players, they seem to be very smart and generally nice young women. Could it be that we only <think> we are following a team? It's really more like adopting them.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The players are given specific training in media/public relations. I'm sure that is not unique. For many years now our team has been unique for their games - all of them - being televised. That and the print "horde" (now sadly diminished along with the newspaper industry) gave us a far greater opportunity for connection than most teams fans. With SNY's pre and post game half hours and the Geno A Show, with other one off shows now and again, we have every opportunity to connect with these players.

 

[Carnac]

This has probably been said on the BY before, but I am always very impressed with the way our players and coaches present themselves with the media and the public. Our UConn kids speak clearly and thoughtfully. They show respect for others, both on and aside from the team. Sure, it's fun to watch them play. How could it not be? But in addition to being top-shelf players, they seem to be very smart and generally nice young women. Could it be that we only <think> we are following a team? It's really more like adopting them.

I remember reading somewhere (it may even have been mentioned on one of Geno's TV shows) that our girls are trained on how to speak, and how to answer questions during media interviews BEFORE the media is allowed access to them.

I believe Chris Daley handles those chores. I believe it's part of the "Chris Dailey finishing school" that all of the girls that have come through the program have attended.
It's no accident that they come across as intelligent and articulate; and they're always politically correct. Even when an interviewer tries to ask them a loaded question.

 

[UcMiami]

I think the documentary on the 1995 team just shown gives the origins of the 'finishing school on media relations' - Lobo was absolutely swamped by interview requests from local and national media after the TN game at Gampel, and was really the first 'superstar' of women's basketball. Uconn scrambled to protect her and the rest of the team from the crush of interest generated through the end of that year. Since that year, interest in WCBB has grown and starts at younger ages, down to junior high level, so recruits coming in have already dealt with more media than those 1990s kids ever did. But the uconn team continues to have the largest media following in the college game and continues to teach recruits how to handle it.

I am pretty sure a number of other schools work with their WCBB players to prepare them for the increased interest. With 24/7 news outlets and most people having recording devices available, athletes need to be aware of the pitfalls. As do the general public as well - very easy to become an unwilling internet star for all the wrong reasons.

 

[Joe6cats]

I remember reading somewhere (it may even have been mentioned on one of Geno's TV shows) that our girls are trained on how to speak, and how to answer questions during media interviews BEFORE the media is allowed access to them.

I believe Chris Daley handles those chores. I believe it's part of the "Chris Dailey finishing school" that all of the girls that have come through the program have attended.
It's no accident that they come across as intelligent and articulate; and they're always politically correct. Even when an interviewer tries to ask them a loaded question.

Yes indeed. And it starts with how the coaches recruit. Excellent basketball skills is just part of it. We go after girls who are smart beyond high basketball IQ, articulate. and team players. No wonder we lucky fans think of them as family.

 

[BigBird]

Yes indeed. And it starts with how the coaches recruit. Excellent basketball skills is just part of it. We go after girls who are smart beyond high basketball IQ, articulate. and team players. No wonder we lucky fans think of them as family.

That was what I was really trying to say in my initial post. I was aware of the interview training that players are given. But seriously, listen to Kia Nurse speak and you (should then) realize that she is very bright, thoughtful, and extremely articulate. That isn't atypical for our athletes. My guess is that those characteristics were mostly formed long before arriving in Storrs.

In my several years as a sportscaster, I got to meet the families of our (local) team's players. They were first-rate folks and kind in so many ways. And they raised their daughters to be likewise. At UConn, this kind of positive influence is so obvious.