Page 29 - Laker Connection Fall 2011

Whether it was a practice, a meet- ing, or a game, the 2010-11 Clayton State women’s basketball team broke each huddle with its motto and rallying cry for the season, “together.”
And one person that played an in- tegral role in keeping the squad “to- gether,” and helping the Lakers achieve the ultimate goal of capturing a NCAA Division II national champi- onship, was assistant coach and Clay- ton State alumnae Kaleena Coleman.
“She is the heart and soul of the Clayton State women’s basketball pro- gram,” says head coach Dennis Cox.
For the last six years, Coleman has been assisting Cox on the Laker side- line, and along with her coaching duties for arguably the best NCAA Division II women’s basketball program in the country, she provides support in re- cruiting and in a wide array of basket- ball operations. Although much of her work is done behind the scenes, mak- ing sure all the administrative and lo- gistical processes run as smooth as the hardwood floors at the Athletics & Fit- ness Center, it does not go unnoticed.
“Kaleena is what Laker women’s basketball is all about,” says Cox. “As a player for us my first year in 2004-05, she was the hardest worker on the team, and that work ethic has contin- ued in her role as an assistant coach.”
Coleman has helped the Lakers win four Peach Belt Conference regular
By Gid Rowell
season championships and three PBC tournament titles. In addition, she has been a part of seven straight trips to the NCAA Division II national tournament, advancing to Division II “Final Four” in 2007, the Division II “Sweet 16” in 2008, the Division II “Elite Eight”during the 2008-09 season, and last season’s NCAA Division II national champi- onship.
“I have known Kaleena for eight years, and I have never met a single person that did not love her,” continues Cox. “In my opinion she is our most valuable asset – a constant source of inspiration for all of us.”
What she enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to build relation- ships with the players, mostly through the many team-building activities. A few of her favorite examples include: the team’s annual bowling night, going to the movies and team dinners.
“I meet them and talk with them a lot during the recruiting process and then become better connected when they sign, says Coleman. “The off-the- court interactions and relationships are important in a student-athlete’s learn- ing and development in college.”
In a national championship season filled with special highlights, Coleman says a moment she will never forget was the team’s thrilling win over Lander during Homecoming Week, when both teams were undefeated and ranked
No. 1 and No. 2 in the nation.
“The game was so close,” she
says. “Our players showed an incredi- ble amount of maturity and fight to bat- tle back in the end. I was so proud of how we handled the adversity and kept it together throughout the game. It was a special win, and one I will always re- member.”
Interestingly, another moment she will always remember is the squad’s only loss of the season, when the Lak- ers fell in a heartbreaker, 73-72 in over- time in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals to host USC- Aiken.
She remembers this contest not because of the loss, but how the squad stayed together and responded after it.
“We didn’t want to go home that night and be by ourselves,” says Cole- man. “We all wanted to stay together and pick each other up after such a close and emotional game. We re- sponded well and used it as motivation for the remainder of the season.”
A native of Edison, Ga., Kaleena graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 2006 from Clayton State. She began her college career at the University in 2003, and as a player, helped lead Clayton State to a 25-7 record and both the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament champi- onships.
staff profile
Kaleena Coleman:
Helping keep the team together
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