University of Minnesota Athletics
An Experience to Remember: Kelly Roysland
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
But she is much more accustomed to hearing his voice from the stands, instead of from the court.
On Nov. 5, both Royslands had a unique experience, as Mike, the head coach at Minnesota-Crookston, coached against Kelly when his Golden Eagles faced the Golden Gophers in Minnesota’s final exhibition game of the season.
Kelly’s Gophers prevailed easily, winning 86-47. But both Roysland’s said more important than the score was the experience, which neither will ever forget.
“It was a different situation, one that I never thought would occur at the collegiate level,” Kelly Roysland said. “I’m so tuned into his voice during games, and it was definitely different to hear him from over there and coaching against me.”
She said she had mixed feelings about going against her dad, who is in his first season coaching for Minnesota-Crookston.
“On one hand I wanted to have a good game,” Kelly Roysland said. “We were supposed to beat out Crookston, because they’re Division II and they’re young and inexperienced. But on the other hand, it was hard for me to really want to blow them out. I didn’t want to make my dad or his program look bad. I want his team to be successful.”
Said Mike Roysland, “I think the pressure was really on her. I didn’t have to get out there on the court and have to perform. What was really ironic was to be able to talk about your daughter in the huddle. We were going to try and not leave her alone. We wanted to make her hit (shots) off the dribble.”
Roysland held up her end of the bargain, scoring 19 points, including four three-point baskets, to go along with four rebounds and two steals.
Even though Mike Roysland did his best to only focus on what his team was doing, he couldn’t resist making comments to his daughter when he thought she made a good play.
“There were a couple times when I’d be running by and he’s say something to me,” Kelly Roysland said. “Once he said Haven’t you made enough shots already, stop shooting.’ And he told me Nice backdoor cut’ after I got fouled and went to the free throw line.”
Although it was unusual for Kelly to go up against a team her dad coaches it happened one other time when Mike was coaching a high school volleyball team that faced Kelly’s team. It certainly wasn’t new for her parents to be a part of her sports experience.
Kelly’s mom, Kim Roysland, coached her in volleyball and golf for six years at Fosston High School, while Mike was an assistant coach on Kelly’s AAU basketball team that won the national championship.
“Coaching is in our whole family,” Kelly Roysland said. “Sometimes it would get to be a lot, because it was a family affair at practices. But looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel lucky. I don’t think many people get to have both of their parents as coaches.”
While Mike Roysland hasn’t coached his daughter for awhile, he said he still tries to give her bits of advice.
“I help her with some of the little things,” he said. “I never get into what she needs to do within the team concept, that comes from Coach Borton, but I tell her things like whether her crossover is hard enough or if she’s not reading a situation correctly. We might get into a discussion like Did you not see when you had the baseline wide open?’”
He may still notice her small mistakes, but most importantly Mike Roysland said he has seen Kelly improve drastically every year, making her ready for the role of being the team’s only senior and a go-to player.
“She’s improved in her knowledge of the game and her ability to read situations,” Mike said. “She’s got a great handle of what needs to take place and how it needs to go to lead this young club. She’s not afraid to take responsibility. Some nights she’s going to have a good game, and some nights she’s not going to have such a good game. But she’s not afraid to put things on her back and say, This is the direction we’re going to go.’”
Mike should still be a steady presence at Williams Arena this year, despite his new job. The Golden Eagles usually play on different nights than the Golden Gophers, so he will be able to watch his daughter play her senior year and go back to his role of cheering from the sidelines.
And for all of her dad’s years of advice and constant encouragement, Kelly said she wants to give something back to him after she graduates in the spring.
“It’ll be fun for me when I’m done playing to go and watch his team play and maybe even help out a little bit,” she said. “I want to be supportive of him, just because he’s so supportive of me. He’s always had my back; it’s never been a question.”
Story by Emily Wickstrom
