Watch the video above: Huskies women’s basketball team head coach Lisa Thomaidis continues to inspire on and off the court
SASKATOON – Lisa Thomaidis is in the midst of her 15th season as head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s basketball team and in early 2013 was named head coach of the Canadian women’s national team.
Last week, Thomaidis was recognized by the Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport as one of 20 of the most influential women in sports and physical activity in 2013.
“Really honoured to be on that list,” said Thomaidis, “you look at some of those names, well, all of those names and they are the headliners in sports in this country. (I’m) very fortunate and happy to be on it.”
Thomaidis is a four-time Canada West coach of the year and two-time CIS coach of the year.
Once again this year, Thomaidis has the Huskies rolling, sitting atop the conference at the midway of the season.
“As close to perfection as we can be in was she (Thomaidis) wants and what she demands,” declared fourth year Huskies guard Kabree Howard. “That’s what’s making us a great team that is going to win those close games”
What happens at practice and on game days only shows a small portion of Thomaidis character. It’s her work off the court that ultimately makes her one of the nation’s most influential women.
“She makes sure we are well rounded people,” added Howard. “We have conversations on our team about how women should present themselves in sport and in the world. It even ties into my academics and the expectations we have outside the court”
Former player and current Huskies assistant coach Jill Humbert agrees.
“She’s also very good at making you aware of how to be a better person and for women in society, how we can be strong and we don’t need to be demoralized and we can be empowered.”
Improving the skills of their players is an important aspect for any coach. Thomaidis also makes sure her athletes leave the Huskies program as better people.
“It’s one of the main reasons why I continue to coach in the CIS and university level. It’s so rewarding for me to see players come in and student athletes come in as 17-year-olds and see them leave as great people and great citizens that are going to go on to do great things.”
For her part, Jill Humbert isn’t surprised that Thomaidis was recognized for her role in women’s sports in Canada.
“She is so ambitious and so driven and has so many amazing qualities. As a player I always understood that, but now working under her and working with her, I see a whole new side of her and everything that goes into what she does; all the hard work, all the prep, all the research and all the professional development. She’s really incredible and very inspiring.”
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