2x NCAA Champion Sue Bird Admits Geno Auriemma’s Impact on Her Illustrious Career

Despite facing different difficulties in her journey whether it was the left knee surgery, or the anticipated backlash when not performing up to the mark, one thing that Sue Bird consistently did was practice. She, like many other stars, knew that the result wasn’t in control but the preparation was. Hence, Bird made it her aim to practice her skills as much as possible and that took the 4x WNBA Champion close to the desired outcomes most of the time. And for her exceptional on-court display, Bird credited her basketball coach for being an inspiration.

Bird was present during a recent interview when she spoke of her college basketball journey. The 43-year-old was lost in nostalgia as she recollected one incident after another. However, a key takeaway for many budding athletes was when Bird listed her college basketball coach Geno Auriemma as her inspiration.

“Something that I’ve learned from sports that plays out in school, that I also learn from school that plays out in sports, is preparation. Right?…That’s actually something that coach Auriemma, my college coach, talked about a lot…One of the life lessons I took with me more than any which was he always instilled in us was preparation. And he always said you know, how do you want to feel. He’s like ‘think about when you take a test and you’re taking a final exam how do you want to feel. When you walk in that room’, right? ‘You want to feel confident and the way to do that is to study,’” Bird said on Study Hall.

Article continues below this ad

Bird played for the University of Connecticut Huskies from 1998 to 2002. Though she could only play eight games in her freshman season due to an ACL injury, Bird bounced back in the next plying her trade in 37 games. Her exceptional performance helped her team clinch the NCAA championship title. Over time, she became a mainstay at the Huskies and provided the impetus for the Huskies to win another title in her final season as a senior. Overall, she averaged 11.7 points with 5 assists per game. And credit for it goes to Bird, along with her coach, Geno Auriemma.

Poll of the dayHow much credit does Geno Auriemma deserve for Sue Bird’s illustrious career?

via Getty

Auriemma has been coaching the Huskies since 1985. He has helped her team to win the Championship title record 11 times in his career. He also set a record when he propelled the Huskies to back-to-back championship titles from 2013 to 16. He has coached incredible players like Bird, Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, etc. There certainly is a secret to Auriemma producing high-level players. And it’s not only the players who have lauded Auriemma but even his competitors are left in awe of him.

Tara VanDerveer left awestruck by Geno AuriemmaADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

With 1,216 career wins, the NCAA women’s most-winningest coach Tara VanDerveer had applauded Auriemma, who is just four wins away from breaking VanDerveer’s record. As per the retired NCAA coach, Auriemma’s coaching staff is all women which needs to be praised since he grooms them well. He puts women at the center of women’s NCAA basketball and helps them realize their dreams.

“What he doesn’t get enough credit for is developing women coaches. His assistants are all women, and he’s helped other women get jobs…And that’s a real positive in our game,” VanDerveer had stated, via USA Today.

Now that Bird has let the cat out of the bag, more and more budding players will follow her advice. And hopefully, someday become as accomplished as her. Meanwhile, players transitioning into college will try their best to get a call from Auriemma and his team.

Article continues below this ad

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting pilot episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and SEC All-Freshman Team Selection, Silas Demary Jr.