An interview with coach Specketer

A sit down with Women's basketball head coach Betsy Specketer. Coach Specketer has been the head coach of the women's basketball team for 15 years and has won over 300 games.

What does 300 wins mean to you?

Quite honestly, I've never really been too concerned with total wins. I do know that success comes a little easier with a strong staff, great players, and an administration that provides the necessary resources to be successful. I've been very lucky - I've had all three.

Over your 300 wins, what wins stand out the most or meant the most to you?

Without question, the win over North Idaho at North in the 2006-07 Region Tournament final. We came into the tournament as the 3^rd seed and beat 2^nd seeded CSI in the semi's, which set up the championship game with North, the #1 seed. Most probably thought we didn't have a chance going into that game. We were definitely the underdog, playing the number one seed in a packed gym on their home court. We also had only one sophomore on a squad that had lost to NIC three times during the year. And, as a program, we had lost in three straight region championships. But this team believed and came together like no other I have ever coached. We got on roll with wins over Snow and CSI and seemed to ride that momentum into the championship game with North. We jumped out to a 20 point halftime lead and north never recovered. It was a huge win for our program - our first trip to the National Tournament - and for me personally, one I will always remember as special, with a very special group of players.

What's it going to take for you to reach 400 wins?

Again, I'm more concerned with keeping our program on top. Paying more attention to what needs to be done annually to remain successful - win games, get to the National Tournament, and help our players graduate and get recruited. That drives me more than any personal win milestone.

You have been at SLCC for over 15 years, what keeps you coming back?

Obviously, I love Salt Lake Community College. I really do. Plus, I'm proud to be here and feel a strong sense of loyalty to a place, and an administration, that quite some time ago, took a chance on me. And, I try hard to instill that same sense of loyalty and pride to our players. SLCC is one of the nation's finest Community Colleges. I feel lucky and privileged to be here.

Is there any one season that stands out the most for you?

Every group definitely has had its own particular dynamic and I'm grateful for them all, but I'd have to say the two groups of, what I'd call overachievers, tend to stand out in my mind. Two selfless groups that grew so much during the year. First, the previously mentioned 2006-07 squad that made it to the National Tournament and secondly, the 2002-03 squads that rallied to beat Utah Valley in the region semi-finals, but lost 55-56 to Dixie State on Dixie's home floor in the region final. Ugh...that was a tough loss, but that squad was an amazing group and did everything it could to win - we just didn't.

What's the hardest part of coaching at a JC?

I'd like for our program, our department, and our college, to get more recognition. Especially from the local media. Our players, coaches, and administrators accomplish so many things that go unnoticed by so many people. Sometimes I feel that being a junior college puts us last on the list, or first to be omitted, in terms of media coverage. Do our players, our coaches, our administrator's work any less hard than a Ute, or a Cougar, or any of the many local prep schools or athletes? That has always bothered me.

How does the 2010-11 team look?

Really young. We have only three players returning from last year's 25-6 squad, Haley Holmstead, Jami Mokofisi, and Alli Blake, but all three had outstanding freshmen seasons and we expect even bigger things from them as sophomores.

What will it take to get back to the National Tournament?

Even though we feel we have a very talented group coming in, they are very young and it's probably going to take them a little while to figure things out. Our goal is to have them playing their best basketball when it counts - Region Tournament time. Stay tuned.