Vince D’Adamo: What is the No. 1 thing that keeps you coming back to coaching every season?
Kate Shipp-Roberts: I can't pinpoint one thing to why I continue to coach, but two major factors are fun and family. Coaching is fun, it’s also a lot of hard work, but that is what makes it fun. And family because for as long as I can remember (as a player and a coach) sports have been about family. Not just my own family being involved, but all of the moms, dads, siblings, cousins, grandparents who are involved in the team. All of a sudden you become a part of this new family and suddenly your family has expanded.
D’Adamo: Beyond wins and losses, what is your vision for the St. Helena High girls basketball program?
Shipp-Roberts: My vision(s) for the St Helena High girls basketball program is to get the community excited about girls basketball again. Not just the school community, but the town of St. Helena. It's great to see students in the stands cheering for their peers, it's great to see admin, teachers, parents, and community members supporting the student-athletes.
Wins and losses will come, that is part of the game. But one major vision I have for the St. Helena girls basketball team is implementing an off season program- skill work in the spring, practices and games during the summer. This way they are better prepared for the upcoming season.
D’Adamo: You had a chance to play for Darci (Lewis) Ward at Napa High and your parents were coaches, what common denominator did you learn from both?
Shipp-Roberts: One constant I learned from my parents and Darci is maintain the expectations you have for your players or your program. Jill Stewart (American Canyon High athletic director) and my assistant (former JV coach) Darol Smith are also mentors and examples to look up to as far as maintaining high expectations for your players and program.
D’Adamo: Besides the Xs and Os of coaching, how important is it to be able to relate to kids?
Shipp-Roberts: It's not necessarily about being able to relate to the kids, but rather how to reach each player I coach. Each player is different, some can handle a more aggressive style of coaching and need tough love, while others you have to take a more detailed, calm approach. Part of growing as a coach is learning how to adapt your coaching style for each player, but at the same time maintaining high expectations for each player.
D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?
Shipp-Roberts: That’s a tough one. Each family member has been influential in their own way. I wanted to be a teacher because of my mom, on the flip side I wanted to be a coach because of my dad. I met my husband through both teaching and coaching and he has been the biggest supporter of girl's basketball ever since. Just having the family support regardless of the record is a huge influence in itself.
D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?
Shipp-Roberts: Pat Summitt, hands down. I remember as a young girl watching her coach she was very intimidating, her stare was deadly and you couldn't help but feel bad for the player she was about to rip. To be a female coach where predominantly men are coaches and to have the success she had was amazing.
My family and I were in Knoxville the day before Pat Summitt's celebration of life and we were able to walk around Thompson-Boling Arena (University of Tennessee basketball arena) and to see the impact she had on women's basketball at the University of Tennessee was somewhat of a religious experience knowing she was the best of the best. Besides the national championships and coaching MVPs, all of the players she coached went on to graduate and earn a degree. Now that is something to celebrate and be in awe of.
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