Post by doctorwho on May 6, 2009 7:31:31 GMT -6
By RICK ARMSTRONG the beacon news
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White TextA band on the run is what Kim Connell hopes to direct at Waubonsie Valley next winter.
"That's my philosophy, I like playing uptempo," said Connell, the former Rockford Boylan coach who has been named to replace Kris Kalivas, who will move to the same position at Metea Valley.
Quick Hits
Name: Kim Connell
Record: 258-106 (12 years) at Rockford Boylan
Highlights: Three sectional titles, six regional
"It's all good and well to say it, but it depends if you have the players who can do it."
This past year, Connell's Rockford Boylan team that went 32-2 and reached the Elite Eight of the Class 4A playoffs, had the talent and set a school record for wins in the Schaumburg native's 12th and final season at the private school.
She posted a 258-106 record, winning two NIC-10 titles, six regionals and three sectionals.
Connell said a return to her suburban roots was something she wanted to do for a long time.
"I interviewed two years ago at York and applied before that at Schaumburg," she said, noting that moving to a public school position with better pay and retirement benefits were factors.
She said the change, though, had nothing to do with a report in Monday's Rockford Register Star that said she "resigned in April after complaints that she had misused funds that parents had raised to pay for summer league expenses."
Waubonsie Valley Athletic Director Mike Rogowski said he was not worried about the report, which was inspired by some senior parents upset that four sophomores had played key roles on last year's team.
"(The complaints) were investigated by the police and they said there was nothing to it," Rogowski said. "I talked to their principal and athletic director and they said there was nothing to it. In fact, they had offered her a contract.
"I think she's potentially the total package and cares about her kids both on and off the court ... She's got a great work ethic, experience and it's a great fit."
Connell called the controversy a "blessing in disguise. It finally pushed me to do what I should have done several years ago."
She said she thinks she's making a step up in coaching in the suburbs.
"Out here, two or three out of the 10 teams in our conference might be competitive," she said. "To me, every night in the Upstate Eight will be a challenge."
The Warriors will return freshman starters Keiera Ray and Tami Morice from a team that went 19-9.
Font Size Email Bookmark Black Text
White TextA band on the run is what Kim Connell hopes to direct at Waubonsie Valley next winter.
"That's my philosophy, I like playing uptempo," said Connell, the former Rockford Boylan coach who has been named to replace Kris Kalivas, who will move to the same position at Metea Valley.
Quick Hits
Name: Kim Connell
Record: 258-106 (12 years) at Rockford Boylan
Highlights: Three sectional titles, six regional
"It's all good and well to say it, but it depends if you have the players who can do it."
This past year, Connell's Rockford Boylan team that went 32-2 and reached the Elite Eight of the Class 4A playoffs, had the talent and set a school record for wins in the Schaumburg native's 12th and final season at the private school.
She posted a 258-106 record, winning two NIC-10 titles, six regionals and three sectionals.
Connell said a return to her suburban roots was something she wanted to do for a long time.
"I interviewed two years ago at York and applied before that at Schaumburg," she said, noting that moving to a public school position with better pay and retirement benefits were factors.
She said the change, though, had nothing to do with a report in Monday's Rockford Register Star that said she "resigned in April after complaints that she had misused funds that parents had raised to pay for summer league expenses."
Waubonsie Valley Athletic Director Mike Rogowski said he was not worried about the report, which was inspired by some senior parents upset that four sophomores had played key roles on last year's team.
"(The complaints) were investigated by the police and they said there was nothing to it," Rogowski said. "I talked to their principal and athletic director and they said there was nothing to it. In fact, they had offered her a contract.
"I think she's potentially the total package and cares about her kids both on and off the court ... She's got a great work ethic, experience and it's a great fit."
Connell called the controversy a "blessing in disguise. It finally pushed me to do what I should have done several years ago."
She said she thinks she's making a step up in coaching in the suburbs.
"Out here, two or three out of the 10 teams in our conference might be competitive," she said. "To me, every night in the Upstate Eight will be a challenge."
The Warriors will return freshman starters Keiera Ray and Tami Morice from a team that went 19-9.