Jennifer Watson: Winningest Coach in Bard Women's Basketball History

1. Jennifer Watson, welcome to your first Raptormania! profile!

Thank you very much! It is a pleasure to talk to you, I love your website.

2. In a 1997-98 game against VassarCollege, the Bard women's team scored four points. So far this season, the Raptors already have five wins! How do you explain the turnaround?

I think the biggest reason for our continued growth as a program is the commitment from the players to be taken seriously. I know a lot has changed over the years before I arrived, but even since my first season (2004-05) we have made huge changes in regards to the whole mentality of sports at Bard. My players understand that they can be great students and also dish out some hurt on other teams ? I like that balance.

3. What is it like to already be the all-time winningest coach on Bard women's basketball history, with 14 wins? Has your life peaked?

You know, I don?t see it getting much better than this! In all honesty, I am very proud of this program and the women who have not only played for me, but also all of the women who paved the way for this success. I expect big things in the upcoming years, so I plan on crushing that record before I retire to the Bahamas.

4. Has it been fun, seeing the reactions of opposing coaches as the previously moribund women's program at Bard has roared out to a 5-2 start?

Yes, it has been great for us this season. We were picked to finish pretty low in the pre-season Skyline poll. I like to be the underdog because then we can sneak up behind teams and totally surprise them. We still have work to do to get to the point where we are in the top 2-3 Skyline teams, but we?re on our way.

5. It appears Elyse Rivas is on track to at least approach the Bard all-time scoring mark. What makes her an elite scorer and player?

Elyse is a great player because she is tenacious inside. She describes herself as ?blunt? and that?s how she plays in the paint, she just gets it done. A few years ago, I would have never predicted that Elyse would grow this much as a player because she was very rough around the edges, but she has transformed into a better person, a better player and a better teammate and leader, so I am so happy that she is on pace to set this record.

6. You had a wildly successful career as a professional player overseas. Can you provide an example of a story you have used from that time with your players, and do you think your players respect you more because of what you've accomplished?

 I think more than my Professional career, I talk a lot about my college days, which weren?t successful. I find that I have learned so much more about basketball, life and myself from all of my losses and struggles than I have from my successes. It?s all about getting knocked down and getting up  again. One of my favorite sayings is, Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow  That?s what I love about this team, no matter what, they always try again tomorrow.

7. The Skyline Conference: daunting, or just another set of opponents to vanquish?

I think we are much more suited to this conference than the NEAC, so for me, I feel confident that we can do some damage in this conference.

8. Your favorite website is reportedly EBay. What is the most interesting purchase you've made on EBay this year?

I have bought some crazy stuff on Ebay, but I have to say that it?s been awhile because I just bought my first house, so my Ebay fund is currently paying my mortgage! I was looking on there last week for a shuffleboard table though, so you never know!

9. As the winningest women's coach in Bard history, what possible reason could the athletic department have for not naming the floor after you?

I am glad that you mentioned this, I plan to talk to Kris Hall about this immediately! haha

10. Who is the most underrated player on your team, and why?

Whew, tough question. I think there is a lot of talk surrounding our scorers on the team, when defense specialists go unnoticed. I think one of our biggest ?under-the-radar? players is Sophomore Alyshia Linville. She knocks the snot out of some people on defense, is always bumping people around and has no problem making player?s lives miserable. I have a funny story about her actually. We took the team to England in January of 2007 to play 2 games over there and in one of our games,Alyshia dives out of bounds to save the ball, makes the save and falls out of the door of the gym. So, we are waiting and waiting and a good 10 seconds goes by, I start to walk toward the door thinking she is tumbling down a set of stairs of something and she runs back onto the court with a huge smile and yells, ?I?m okay!? I love that hustle.

11. With your tenure a roaring success, and Coach Wood about to set the men's record for most wins by a coach, do you believe there is something about New Hampshire that breeds championship coaches?

Well, I think it?s common knowledge that New Hampshire is a breeding ground for amazing people and things. Granite, maple syrup, The White Mountains, Woody and I...what more could you ask for?  There is a rich tradition of basketball in NH, which is surprising because it?s such a small state. Woody was the one who told me about the job at Bard because he was my coach when I was a Senior in college, so we have known each other for about 7 years now. I am so happy that he is on his way to much deserved success.

12. Jennifer Watson, thank you for participating in this Raptormania! profile. Best of luck in this and many seasons to come.

Thanks a lot Raptormania, it was a pleasure.