Centre College Made Wise Decision
Former Lady Kat Enjoys Coaching
It has been over three years since that blonde bomber by the name of Lea Wise played basketball at UK where she was one of the most popular players ever to wear a Lady Kat uniform.
Well, what is the former All-SEC guard doing today? In case you haven't kept up with her. Wise is the women's head cage coach at Centre College in Danville, Ky., where she has guided the Lady Colonels from obscurity to IJmelight in two years.
This past year. Centre posted its first winning season since 1977 with an 18-4 mark and captured the post-season conference tournament championship. In the 1984-85 campaign. Wise's first year at Centre, the Lady Colonels finished with a 10-12 record.
In addition to basketball. Wise. 24. also coaches the women's Softball team and teaches in the school's physical education department which does not have a degree program.
				
			Jamie Vaught Cats' Pause Columnist	
				
Centre is a NCAA Division III school (no athletic scholarships are given) and has an enrollment of approximately 800 students. But how did she end up at academic-minded Centre?
After graduating from UK in 1983 with a telecommunications degree, Wise took an unexpected route into selling real estate in which she has a license. However, about a year later, Centre came calling.
Background Gives Wise Needed Experience
And Wisewho recently recieved a Christian award at the state Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet in Lexington where head coach Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys was the featured speakerexplains her career move in the following interview. She also discussed, among other things, her faith in God and her former teammates.
The interview took place in her office on the campus.
The Cats' Pause: Following graduation from UK, you were selling real estate for a while and then you accepted a coaching job at Centre. How did that come about? Did you have any ties with Danville?
Wise: About a couple of years ago, I guess it was in August, coach (and athletic director Tom) Bryant called me. He said there was a position open for women's basketball coach and that it would be a part-time position. I never had thought about wanting to coach. But it seemed like a situation that I might like because it wasn't full-time and it wasn't something that I couldn't get out of, if I didn't like it. So, I decided to come for an interview. When I did, it sounded better and better. I always said if I coached, I would coach in college. It had to be a right situation. And it just turned out to be the right situation for me.
As far as having ties in Danville, I was born here. Both of my parents graduated from Danville High School. So, yes and no, I hadn't really ever lived here. Also, I had relatives here. I probably took the job (now full-time), not really knowing if this is what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
TCP: Were you comfortable when you took the job, knowing that you did not have any coaching experience?
Wise: None at all. The only kind of experience that I had as far as coaching was through basketball camps and that doesn't really prepare you to totally organize a basketball team. But I did have a great background in basketball and I had a great deal of confidence that I could handle it and learn and take it one day at a time.
Plans To Stay At Danville College For A While
7PC: Are you planning to stay at Centre for your third year next fall?
Wise: Yes. I enjoy Centre a lot and I get everything out of coaching here that I want. In enjoy the on-the-court coaching and I feel like in Division III level, you get to do that the most. In Division I, a lot of that is in recruiting and maybe the majority of it is in recruiting. I like it here and I don't think another situation would come about that is perfect for me (coaching and teaching). I just don't forsee it in the near future.
TCP: Do you do any recruiting?
Wise: Yes, but is is not so important here that you have to spend so much time in traveling. You don't have to put in as much time in recruiting as you do in coaching. There is a lot more here than that and it is such a hard school academically. You just can't go out and recruit anybody. So, a lot of it is done through admissions.
TCP: At the recent state Fellowship of Christian Athletes banquet, you received FCA's Outstanding Christian award as a college coach. Religion plays a big part of your athletic career. How?
Wise: Well, you know, I have always tried to combine my faith and my Christian beliefs with anything 1 have done. In the past. I probably just haven't been as outward with it. And since I have been coaching, I find that I have such a great influence. I think it is something you don't need to take by yourself. I think that my faith and all the people that I surround myself with, as far as FCA and my church and things, helped me take on that responsibility. I think, and with that guidance, that I'm doing the right things and being the right influence on people. 1 have great strides to make as far as being more of a Christian leader. I'm doing the right things and working toward it I do want people out there to know that I'm a Christian.
Winning SEC Tourney Was Biggest Thrill
TCP: Looking back, what was your biggest moment at UK?
Wise: I would say probably in my junior year, winning the SEC tournament (in Lexington). A lot of people would think beating No. 5 Old Dominion (80-66 before a then national record crowd of 10,622 at Memorial Coliseum in her senior year) would be the highlight. A lot of good things happenened. though. I thought at the point when
Lea Wise Pictured During UK Days
we beat Tennessee in the finals of the SEC tourney was the turning point for our program and for where we were at the time. I think that just really brought us into national prominece. We knew at that point, we were as good as anybody in the nation and you just really felt it. To me, that was the highlight.
TCP: What are your former Lady Kat teammatesstars Valerie Still and Patty Jo Hedgesdoing today?
Wise: Valerie is in Italy, playing pro basketball. Every time she is in Kentucky, I see her. But other than that, we don't really stay in touch that much. It's pretty difficult. (Patty Jo and I) keep in touch on a regular basis. She has hopes of some day coaching, I think. She spent a year playing professional basketball in Italy and came back (to UK).
Future In Television Not In Her Plans
TCP: You have a degree in telecommunications. Are you still hoping that you will be able to enter the television business some day?
Wise: No, it doesn't appeal to me anymore. If I did enter it, it would probably be in something like a sports analyst. (Sports broadcasting) is a very competetive field. It is a very hard field, as far as your time and the money you make. I think it is something you just have to totally love to do it. I don't think I'm at that point. I enjoy what I'm doing here. That's probably what makes you successful at whatever you do.