GLENCOE GIRLS HEAD COACH

September 28, 2019

Hello Glencoe Families!

We are gearing up for another great year of Glencoe basketball. Our Glencoe Youth Basketball Board has made significant strides in improving the experience for the kids in our community. I cannot thank them enough for their tireless work and servant leadership. They truly pour their hearts into our youth program and they are able to produce incredible results. Please help me in thanking them whenever you get the opportunity!

Every year I share a little bit about the slogan that we choose at the high school level, so I’m going to stick with that format for my third year and third letter to you all. You might have heard a TED talk by a woman named Rita Pierson. She spoke about being an educator and she mentioned a mantra that she had her students say every day in her class. It goes like this, “I am somebody. I was somebody when I came. I will be a better somebody when I leave. I am powerful and I am strong. I deserve the education that I get here. I have things to do, people to impress, and places to go.” One of our high school athletes really liked this and asked if we could have our slogan be “we are somebody,” and thus our slogan for the year was born. It will embody their responsibility not only as a Glencoe athlete, but as a daughter, a friend, and a member of our community. It also speaks to their feelings of often being underestimated by their opponents, and their desire to prove them wrong.

You may have also seen a video on the home page of the website titled, “Play Like A Girl” that some past and current basketball players took part in last spring. They shared their personal stories of hardship, disappointment, and ultimately their resilience during their basketball careers. Being an athlete is not easy at any level. It requires an increased amount of responsibility, commitment, and sacrifice. It is important for us to acknowledge what our athletes give up to participate in athletics, but also highlight what they gain. If you get a chance to watch the video I hope you are reminded, as I was, that each of them has a voice to be heard and a story to share. It is important to me to remind our high school girls that they leave an impact wherever they go. Their influence is either positive or negative, but never neutral. As I remind our athletes of this, I must also remind myself of this as a coach and always be thoughtful about how my impact is felt by my athletes. I encourage all of our coaches at all levels to think about the impact they will leave and challenge all of us to make it a positive one. We are somebody, too, and we have work to do. Looking forward to another great year of Glencoe basketball. ROLL TIDE.

Our adapted mantra:

“We are somebody.

We were somebody when we came.

We will be a better somebody when we leave.

We are powerful and strong.

We deserve the experience we get here.

We have things to do, people to impress, and places to go.”

SEPTEMBER 2018

Hello Glencoe families!

I hope everyone had a great summer and are getting back into the swing of things with school and sports as we transition into a new year. I learned a lot my first year at Glencoe. I learned how close this community is and how much everyone is willing to pitch in to ensure the best possible experience for everyone. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of help and support that everyone has given me. Thank you!

Every year I choose a new slogan for the year and a purpose behind that slogan. Last year you may have seen our warm ups that said, “No grit, no pearl.” It was a very meaningful slogan for us last year as those seniors welcomed their 3rd coach in 4 years. I felt it was important for me to acknowledge that their journey had not been easy and that their ability to face adversity with grit and toughness would only turn out positive outcomes for them.

This year, we are moving forward with a new slogan. This year we will wear, “Fear the Girls.” I believe it is important for girls to remember that they can be feared when they walk into a gym and that it can be a positive thing. I hope that it is a constant reminder that we should be tenacious and relentless in our efforts on and off the court, keeping in mind that It is hard to beat someone who never gives up. As I stand in the Glencoe High School gym I see banners from the 80’s & 90’s when Glencoe girls basketball dominated their class. Our own Kory Messmer played during that era and describes Glencoe girls basketball at that time as a LEGACY.

There is a solid foundation on which we stand as Glencoe athletes from our youth programs to our high school teams. Wearing the “G” should instill a sense of pride and confidence. It should echo years of success and triumph. I hope that our high school girls will lead the way, and they will remind us all what it means to fear the girls.

As tradition for me as a coach, every year prior to our first game, I read a poem titled “Little Eyes Upon You.” It is important that we remember that we are somebody’s hero and it’s up to us to set a positive example. If you are interested, please read below:

There are little eyes upon you

And they’re watching night and day.

Take in every word you say.

There are little hands all eager

To do anything you do;

And a little girl who’s dreaming

Of the day she’ll be like you.

You’re the little angel’s idol,

You’re the wisest of the wise.

In her little mind about you
No suspicions ever rise.
She believe in you devoutly,

Holds all you say and do;
She will say and do, in your way

When she’s grown up just like you.

There’s a wide-eyed little girl

Who believes you’re always right;

And her eyes are always opened,

And she watches day and night.

You are setting an example

Every day in all you do;
For the little girl who’s waiting

To grow up to be like you.

OCTOBER 5, 2017

Hello all!

I’m very excited to be a part of the Glencoe community. I met many of our young ladies over the summer (and a special young man named Caleb, too), and have had so much fun just getting to know the kids. I’m very anxious for my first season with the Crimson Tide to start, which is approaching quickly!

I will be sharing with the high school girls this year my personal philosophies and values for the game of basketball. I believe in core values that represent who we are in the core of our being, demonstrating strong morals, discipline, and character. Teaching basketball is so much more than just teaching basketball, it’s about applying lessons learned to our everyday life. Our commitment, positivity, determination, and respect only improve relationships and outcomes. I strive to be a positive female role model for my athletes and help guide them toward growth and success.

I started basketball at the age of 6 playing Parks & Rec. My basketball experience was full of ups and downs, but what kept me playing was one of my coaches. He loved the game of basketball and it was contagious for us kids. He was a teacher of the game and that’s what I hope to be. I try to coach young kids with the same zest and love for basketball as he did. It is so important for these kids to have fun and enjoy their experience. A sense of belonging and camaraderie goes a long way for young athletes. As far as the girls are concerned, I would love to see them sharing the ball with each other. I would also love to see aggressive on ball defense and good help side if they get beat. Learning to help each other and support each other is important, and trust takes time to develop.

Jeremy, Rian, and Jeff have been so devoted to the youth of our community during this whole process. They take so much time and care to put things together and ensure that these kids have a memorable experience. Their commitment to youth basketball is inspiring. Tryouts for competitive teams are steadily approaching, and I know this can be a stressful time for kids. If your child is nervous, please have them come to the skills camps in October so they can meet us and other kids their age. I find it is usually helpful to see a familiar face when tryouts come about.

As a community, it is important that we support each other and our young athletes. These teams will experience failures and successes in the coming months. It is crucial that as parents, coaches, and role models, we teach them how to win with class and lose with grace. At the end of the day we all share one common goal: that these kids have fun playing the game of basketball. We are all one big team and I look forward to seeing some new and familiar faces at our basketball games this winter.

Best,
Kassi Conditt