University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Kelly Hagenson
Whalen's Blog: Reflecting on the Season and What's Next
4/7/2020 10:03:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Like everyone, the last month has been the most surreal time of my life. March started like any other March. We were traveling to the BIG tournament getting ready to make a run in Indianapolis. We felt really optimistic about our draw in the bracket. Our first three games would have been Penn State, Ohio State and Iowa. We had beaten Penn State in our first BIG game of the season, lost by three to Ohio State at home on New Year's Eve, and played Iowa very tough both times we faced them. We felt good going into the tournament but eventually the size and depth of Ohio State was too much for us. Our women gave it their best but it was Ohio State's night. Great job by them reaching the finals before falling to the eventual champion, Maryland.
Upon arriving home from the BIG Tournament, we began our spring break so our women went their separate ways. This week was a time of rest, recovery and a bit of reflection as our conference season had come to an end. All the while, the Coronavirus was becoming more and more prevalent on our TV screens and radios.
I was sitting in a gym recruiting the day it felt like our world changed forever. As I said leading up to March, we had heard some talk of Coronavirus and COVID-19 but until that point, it felt like it was "somewhere else." As I was sitting there watching some wonderful young players, it felt like every hour something was being postponed or shut down. First, the NCAA released that they were going to proceed with the NCAA Men's and Women's basketball tournaments, but without fans! By 8:30 that evening, the NBA had suspended the season. It was almost something out of a movie. I left the gym from recruiting that evening, and I knew things would probably never be the same.
Since that time, my husband Ben and our two dogs, Henry and Charlotte, have been staying home, washing our hands, cooking a lot more, going for some long walks, watching the news, Netflix and checking in on family and friends. We have had more time to connect as a family. We have played several card games of Rummy 500, which he has the overall lead, but I am winning this current game! We love to grill on our patio so that has been something that has brought a sense of normalcy for us as the weather in Minnesota is starting to warm up.
Work-wise, I have had to step out of my comfort zone and learn a lot more about technology and "ZOOM." This has been a great tool to stay in contact with our players and ensure they are staying safe and working hard in the classroom through distance learning. We have been able to recruit since March is also a contact period. Typically, we would be traveling all over the country visiting with players and their families.
What is next? I think that might be the most difficult aspect for us as human beings. When does this all end? In my opinion, we stay home, we stay safe and we support each other in any way possible during this time. Checking in on family and friends during this time I believe is extremely important. Three of my siblings are essential workers so they are still going to work as they normally would. We all have someone or know someone in a field that has to continue to go to work, so making sure they are doing okay is our responsibility as family and friends.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my student-athletes for their hard work and dedication this season. Without you there would be no University of Minnesota Women's basketball team. The energy you brought throughout this past season was an inspiration to me as well as Gopher Nation. I look forward to the time when we are all together again.
I would also like to thank my assistant coaches, support staff and administration for their unwavering support this season.
As always, thank you Gopher Nation. Our staff and student-athletes are, and always will be, committed to our number one goal here at the University. That is to build a program that the entire state of Minnesota can be proud of both on and off the court.
Best,
Coach Whalen
Upon arriving home from the BIG Tournament, we began our spring break so our women went their separate ways. This week was a time of rest, recovery and a bit of reflection as our conference season had come to an end. All the while, the Coronavirus was becoming more and more prevalent on our TV screens and radios.
I was sitting in a gym recruiting the day it felt like our world changed forever. As I said leading up to March, we had heard some talk of Coronavirus and COVID-19 but until that point, it felt like it was "somewhere else." As I was sitting there watching some wonderful young players, it felt like every hour something was being postponed or shut down. First, the NCAA released that they were going to proceed with the NCAA Men's and Women's basketball tournaments, but without fans! By 8:30 that evening, the NBA had suspended the season. It was almost something out of a movie. I left the gym from recruiting that evening, and I knew things would probably never be the same.
Since that time, my husband Ben and our two dogs, Henry and Charlotte, have been staying home, washing our hands, cooking a lot more, going for some long walks, watching the news, Netflix and checking in on family and friends. We have had more time to connect as a family. We have played several card games of Rummy 500, which he has the overall lead, but I am winning this current game! We love to grill on our patio so that has been something that has brought a sense of normalcy for us as the weather in Minnesota is starting to warm up.
Work-wise, I have had to step out of my comfort zone and learn a lot more about technology and "ZOOM." This has been a great tool to stay in contact with our players and ensure they are staying safe and working hard in the classroom through distance learning. We have been able to recruit since March is also a contact period. Typically, we would be traveling all over the country visiting with players and their families.
What is next? I think that might be the most difficult aspect for us as human beings. When does this all end? In my opinion, we stay home, we stay safe and we support each other in any way possible during this time. Checking in on family and friends during this time I believe is extremely important. Three of my siblings are essential workers so they are still going to work as they normally would. We all have someone or know someone in a field that has to continue to go to work, so making sure they are doing okay is our responsibility as family and friends.
I want to take this opportunity to thank my student-athletes for their hard work and dedication this season. Without you there would be no University of Minnesota Women's basketball team. The energy you brought throughout this past season was an inspiration to me as well as Gopher Nation. I look forward to the time when we are all together again.
I would also like to thank my assistant coaches, support staff and administration for their unwavering support this season.
As always, thank you Gopher Nation. Our staff and student-athletes are, and always will be, committed to our number one goal here at the University. That is to build a program that the entire state of Minnesota can be proud of both on and off the court.
Best,
Coach Whalen
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