University of Massachusets Athletics
Looking for the Right Chemistry
 |  Kathy Coyner and the Minutewomen open the regular season against Charlotte on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Mullins Center. |
Nov. 13, 2000
Scott Masters
The Maroon & White
From early morning biochemistry classes to afternoon workouts and practice to late night study, point guard Kathy Coyner believes the busy schedule helps her stay focused. Coyner, a second-year team captain for UMass' women's basketball team, has a daily schedule many could consider torture, but to the senior it's all part of the learning experience.
"I think in many ways my busy schedule helps me in the classroom and on the court," said Coyner. "I believe it makes me get organized and think about what I have to do."
Many thought playing basketball and majoring in biochemistry might be to much to handle. "I never thought about studying anything else," said Coyner. "I have always wanted to be a doctor, to some this is hard, but put me in an accounting class and I'll think that's hard."
Upon arriving at UMass from a small high school in Belpre, Ohio, Coyner did not know what to expect. With doubts of considerable playing time, Coyner was forced to work hard to adjust to a different style of basketball.
Playing for Belpre High School, Coyner was a pure scorer, averaging 23 points a game. But at UMass, Coyner learned through three years of tutoring from head coach Joanie O'Brien, that how you run the team is more important than how many points you score.
"Every player has to adjust from high school to college, but I think it was important for Kathy to adjust to that different style of play early in her career," said O'Brien. "I believe Kathy was lucky her freshmen year to be able to come in and learn under some great players, but it was her sophomore year where she had the chance to really learn and grow as a point guard, and I think it showed her junior year."
In her three years at UMass, Coyner has averaged just under nine points a game but more importantly, has led the team in assists the last two seasons. Coyner has always been able to shoot the ball, but being the floor general is different. Coyner has been picking her shots carefully the last couple of seasons, but could see a lot more attempts this year.
"I will be looking to score a little bit more this year," said Coyner.
According to O'Brien the learning process has been worthwhile and can see the year being bright for Coyner and the Minutewomen.
"I expect a lot of great things from her this year," said O'Brien. "I have seen Kathy mature completely as a basketball player and as an individual."
Coyner comes into the 2000-01 season with great expectations and hopes of a run at an Atlantic 10 title. With many ups and downs over the previous three years, the second-year captain leads a young, but experienced Minutewoman team.
"At UMass, I determine how well I play based on how well I run the game, how I manage the game situations," said Coyner. "I need to get the ball to my teammates at the right time. It doesn't matter how many points I score. I could score two points and we could still win the game.
"I am really looking forward to this season, we are a young team, but I also think we are experienced too. Our young players got a lot of playing time last year, and I think that will help us this year."
The Minutewomen are coming off a season in which they were forced to rebound from a dreadful 0-6 start. The team climbed out of the hole and managed to finish second in the A-10 with a 10-6 record. It was a start to a season that nobody on the team wanted to have, but it could benefit a squad that returns eight letterwinners and four starters.
"We will not let that start happen again," said Coyner. "We all learned from [the 0-6 start], and we know what it felt like."
With players coming from different backgrounds and different lifestyles, teamwork can become difficult for a young team. Freshmen arriving at a large university to play basketball, often have to deal with new surroundings. An experienced Coyner is happy she is a part of it, and looks forward to sharing her past experiences with her new teammates.
Learning and growing together can be a great aspect of a team if the right chemistry is present.
"We get along great off the court and I believe that is very important," said Coyner. "When things are going the wrong way, it helps to have a close team to get over the hump."
Team chemistry on the court is not the only type of chemistry Coyner worries about. Coyner is also extremely worried about her biochemistry classes, and she devotes hours and hours of time to studying for them. But all the hard work that Coyner has shown on the court, the same attitude is paying off in the class room. With the idea of always wanting at be a doctor, Coyner finds time for her education and hopes to continue the experience by attending medical school following graduation in the spring.
With a gift of playing basketball, plus the hard work has been the basis of Coyner success, but to her, a great deal of the credit should go to her parents. According to Coyner, the ability to survive college chemistry is due to a family gene that makes chemistry a little easier, but it is the support of the family that makes Coyner grateful for all of her experiences.
"The support I have received from my parents and family is one thing that I will never be able to repay," said Coyner. "They have made it possible for me to achieve the things that I have achieved. They have never pressured me into anything that I didn't want to do and they have supported me in my choices."
Coyner's family support, combined with her hard work ethic, will help her lead the Minutewomen this season. It will also help her become the future Doctor Coyner she is striving to become.