Deaf Player Coach’s Inspiration
Utah Valley freshman Shari Kelsch may be the best story of the tournament. Kelsch, who has been deaf since birth, came off the bench to play in both the Wolverines’ games.
She is an expert lip-reader and is vocal on the court. Wolverines coach Cathy Nixon said Kelsch doesn’t use sign language, but her teammates have hand signals they use to communicate. Dixon said few people who watch Utah Valley play know she’s deaf because she talks so much while playing.
“She’s been my inspiration this year,” Dixon said.
Smooth operation
Despite initial fears of overcrowding and a proposed venue change, the tournament at North Idaho College has gone smoothly.
Christianson Gym has adequate seating and more than adequate staff. NIC athletic director Jim Headley said the volunteer work from the students and staff has been more than he could have hoped for.
“I can’t say enough about how well this tournament has gone despite only having a week to put it together,” Headley said. “The community has bent over backwards, including the local high schools providing gym time for all the teams to practice.”
One of the keys to the tournament’s success has been NIC board of trustees member Bob Ely doing the stats for every game. Headley also thanked Paul Manzardo for organizing the student help, and Erna Rhinehart for taking care of the media.
NIC players get scouts’ attention
NIC women’s coach Greg Crimp was contacted about his players by various four-year programs after the Cardinals’ opening-round victory Thursday night.
The centers of attention were interior players Shawna Rainer and Jana Nearing. A scout from the University of San Francisco, which has qualified for the last two NCAA tourneys, asked about both players. Most area colleges were represented, and Crimp said he is also trying to find sophomores Angie Dickson and Mandy Jacques a scholarship.
More recruiting
The University of Idaho men’s team is recruiting several players, including CEU’s K’Zell Wesson and Noel Jackson. The Vandals also are looking at NIC guards Shawn Myrick and Andre McKanstry, but those two probably will head elsewhere.
An age-old ruse
NIC men’s coach Hugh Watson’s birthday was Friday, but he wasn’t too eager to share details. When asked by Headley how old he was, Watson first claimed he was 41, but then said, “I can’t lie to you Jim, I’m 42.”
However, a check of his resume shows he got his undergraduate degree from Lee College in 1968. If the age he gave is correct, he would have been 13 or 14 years old at that time. Apparently, the well-liked coach earned his B.S. in just that.