7 Things I Learned from The 2015 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year

Hello Everyone!

One of the best parts of my job is getting the opportunity to mentor up-and-coming university students during their required collegiate field experience. I've had many students spend time with me over the past 7 years at AGSP and I've learned something from all of them. Some things are positive, some are a bit lacking, but as much as I hope I teach them, they also teach me.

It is rare that I know who the university student is before they start, but it was hard not to know who Sina King was before she started her field experience. Sina is the 2015 MAC Women's Basketball Player of the Year for the University of Akron. Her athletic story and journey from life-threatening injury to becoming Conference Player of the Year is well worth your read. Check out the following stories:

The Cleveland Plain Dealer's article: 
MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE BASKETBALL MVP SINA KING OVERCOMES LIFE-THREATHING EMBOLISM, LEADS SURPRISING AKRON ZIPS

The Akron Beacon Journal's article: 
UNIVERSITY OF AKRON BASKETBALL: BLOOD CLOT THAT COULD HAVE KILLED SINA KING BRINGS UNEXPECTED REWARDS

The University of Akron's article: 
KING NAMED MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Here are 7 Things I Learned from Sina

1. Great athletes are made, not born. Sina shared many stories of intense training sessions she did with the coaching staff at the University of Akron. Often times, she was the only one of her teammates participating.
2. Have a support system. Sina shared how tough her freshman year was for her. She had doubts and turned to her parents for counsel. Her parents gave her the support she needed to persevere.
3. Use your arms. Sina demonstrated how one of her coaches would put his arm out to force her to get into a lower and better position. I've incorporated this technique into many of my drills with great results. 
4. You have to be seen. Sina is from a small Ohio town. She said if it wasn't for her travel team getting in front of college coaches she's not sure if she would have achieved her goal of being a D1 basketball player.
5. Commit 100% to your dream. Sina said she knew from a very young age that she wanted to be a Division One basketball player. She kept her focus on her dream. She didn't allow life's distractions to stop her.
6. Run everywhere. Sina said she was known for always running between stations and never walking (like everyone else). She said, "If I got there sooner I had more time to improve."
7. Light up the room. Sina has the special talent of walking into the room and instantly making everyone around her better. What a great thing for all of us to strive for!

If you have questions for Sina, or want her thoughts on how you can become a collegiate athlete and achieve your dream like she did, please email me at amanda@keppy.com and I will try and put you in contact with her. 

Keep Training!

Coach Amanda Kephart and Akron General Sports Performance