Murray State University Athletics
Lady Racer Family Growing Under Williams
11/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Joi Williams, the new women's basketball coach at Murray State, knows she has her work cut out for her as she tries to build the program into a winner. Some coaches might be tempted to focus on strategy, recruiting and conditioning to the exclusion of all else.
But Williams knows that would be a mistake. She realizes that building team unity and being involved in campus and community life are as important as anything she does on the court.
"It's important that we do things together off the court," she said. "I tell recruits that we're a family. That would be a joke if we didn't do things together outside of basketball. I want our kids to feel like they have a family they can come back to after they graduate."
To that end Williams has organized team activities. The first Saturday after school started they had a four-mile run and they tailgate together at every home football game. In this year's homecoming parade they walked as a team and threw candy to the crowd.
"Walking in the homecoming parade allowed people to see that our kids are excited about the upcoming season and hopefully it will generate some interest in our program," she said.
Other activities are more service oriented. Trips to local schools to play games and read with the children are planned, as are trips to local retirement homes.
"Its important for us to give back to the community," Williams said. "And when people see us and meet us personally they're more likely to come and see us play."
"I'd like to encourage people to come out and support us. With all the hard work our kids put in they need to feel like they have people cheering them on."
Of course, she's also eagerly anticipating her first season as head coach.
"I'm excited about the year coming up," she said. "We're picked ninth and we can use that as a motivating factor, particularly since only eight teams make the conference tournament."
And although the Lady Racers have had little success over the years, Williams is determined to build a winning attitude.
"I want our kids to believe they can compete and win ballgames instead of just hoping they can win," she said. "And that hasn't been the case around here for a while."
