Cabrini’s basketball teams have been very successful this year, causing everyone to wonder where this success comes from? Both coaches Kathleen Pearson and Timothy McDonald have been named a CSAC coach of the year. We reached out to them to dive deeper into how they manage to do it.
Why were you named a CSAC coach of the year?
“The biggest reason I was named coach of the year is because our women’s basketball team has performed well all year,” Kathleen Pearson, head of the women’s basketball team, said. “We finished with our regular season conference with 16-0 record in league play.”
“I believe I was able to win the award because we have really talented players who come together and take my instruction and criticisms extremely well,” Timothy McDonald, head of the men’s basketball team, said. “They have taken the floor each day and have competed at a very high level.”
How did your team’s success this year play a part in you being honored with this award?
Pearson said she won the aware because of her team’s successes and added, “A number of factors have contributed to [the team’s success] but the main one is our team chemistry.”
“The success of the team has everything to do with me receiving this award,” McDonald said. “I can draw up a million plays and implement any defensive style in the world but if the players don’t go out and play well, it really doesn’t matter.”
How did you prepare for CSAC ?
“We prepared for the championship the same way we prepared for any other game,” Pearson said.
“The same as we did for every single game, mentally and physically: come in and play our best,” McDonald said.
What emotions come to mind when thinking of being named coach of the year?
“Humbled and grateful, since my colleagues voted on it, but honestly, there are so many other great coaches,” Pearson said. “The award should go to the team because they are the ones who deserve all the credit.”
“To be honest, I was just happy for our team and our assistant coaches. It is exciting,” McDonald said. “ It just shows how hard we worked and is a symbol of the success we have had this season.”
With being name coach of the year is the pressure on to win CSAC?
“I do not think the coach of the year award creates the pressure to win; I think it is more that our team is expected to win because we are the top of the seed,” said Pearson. “We have to head into the championship with confidence and have that same expectation to win.”
“That is one of the greatest things about coaching and working at Cabrini,” said McDonald. “There is always pressure and expectations to win CSACs.”
How are you going to prepare your team for next season?
“In order to keep the success going, we plan to rely on our core values,” Pearson said. “Commitment, loyalty, grit, gratitude and responsibility.”
“The same as we do for every year: go out and recruit the best players for our team,” McDonald said. “Then work with the group to grow our team chemistry.”
