
Photo by: Eddie Saunsoci
Flanery Takes Development Beyond Basketball for Women's Hoops
1/24/2019 2:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Omaha, Neb. -- During the recruiting process prospective student-athletes and parents often hear about the personal journey each student will take during their college experience. Creighton women's basketball head coach Jim Flanery has incorporated that journey with the Jesuit mission of educating the whole person to give his squad much more than simply basketball.
Flanery's vision to provide "experience beyond basketball and beyond the classroom" has included educational ventures to national monuments such as the
9/11 Memorial and the Holocaust Museum, trips to multiple NBA games and Broadway shows such as Les Miserables and Lion King.
"It's part of Creighton's mission, but I think it's part of the mission of higher education, too," noted Flanery. "The travel within our league provides tremendous chance to give student-athletes a bigger and richer experience than just the classroom and the basketball court. I think you'd be doing them a disservice if you don't take advantage of these opportunities."
"In addition to the advantage of traveling to larger cities such as New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, the BIG EAST schedule of playing Friday and a Sunday affords a chance to offer the team something more on Saturday; to me it makes all the sense in the world to give our young people that richer cultural experience," continued Flanery.
More than simply taking his squad to cultural events, Flanery places immense value on keeping the team together as a unit. Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14, Flanery has brought injured players or redshirt athletes on virtually every trip. This is just one of the reasons the Bluejays have not had a player transfer out of the program since the end of the 2007-08.
"Each player is just as much apart of the team as your leading scorer. When I recruit a player I look them in the eye and tell her and her parents that we're going to do everything we can to provide you a great experience. If I left a player home, I'm not fulfilling my promise or the mission of a coach," said Flanery. "In addition, I think a player forced to the sideline can impact healthy teammates with their ability to lift the morale, give advice or just be listeners. Sometimes, when you're in the position of not playing anymore, you see things a little differently."
Another important lesson Flanery attempts to impart on his team is to not get too high or to low. One facet of doing this is to move on from a win or a loss. This allows each player to learn the value of consistency of temperament and approach. That consistency values continued enrichment off the court, even if the results on the court are less than desired
"Certainly there is an intensity to athletics, I think everybody understands that, but once the game is over we must follow through on promises made. My method of seeing improvement on the court isn't to take something away off the court, it's going to be to hold them a little more accountable when they go to practice," concluded Flanery. "It doesn't do any good to latch on to the anger or disappointment in the way we player. Typically I try to be refelective about my role and ask what I didn't do to prepare the team."
As a reflection the Creighton University mission is:
Below is a summary of the cultural opportunities the Bluejays have taken in since joining the BIG EAST during the 2013-14 season.
2013-2014 Season
2014-2015 Season
2015-2016 Season
2016-2017 Season
2017-2018 Season
2018-2019 Season
Flanery's vision to provide "experience beyond basketball and beyond the classroom" has included educational ventures to national monuments such as the
9/11 Memorial and the Holocaust Museum, trips to multiple NBA games and Broadway shows such as Les Miserables and Lion King.
"It's part of Creighton's mission, but I think it's part of the mission of higher education, too," noted Flanery. "The travel within our league provides tremendous chance to give student-athletes a bigger and richer experience than just the classroom and the basketball court. I think you'd be doing them a disservice if you don't take advantage of these opportunities."
"In addition to the advantage of traveling to larger cities such as New York, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia, the BIG EAST schedule of playing Friday and a Sunday affords a chance to offer the team something more on Saturday; to me it makes all the sense in the world to give our young people that richer cultural experience," continued Flanery.
More than simply taking his squad to cultural events, Flanery places immense value on keeping the team together as a unit. Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013-14, Flanery has brought injured players or redshirt athletes on virtually every trip. This is just one of the reasons the Bluejays have not had a player transfer out of the program since the end of the 2007-08.
"Each player is just as much apart of the team as your leading scorer. When I recruit a player I look them in the eye and tell her and her parents that we're going to do everything we can to provide you a great experience. If I left a player home, I'm not fulfilling my promise or the mission of a coach," said Flanery. "In addition, I think a player forced to the sideline can impact healthy teammates with their ability to lift the morale, give advice or just be listeners. Sometimes, when you're in the position of not playing anymore, you see things a little differently."
Another important lesson Flanery attempts to impart on his team is to not get too high or to low. One facet of doing this is to move on from a win or a loss. This allows each player to learn the value of consistency of temperament and approach. That consistency values continued enrichment off the court, even if the results on the court are less than desired
"Certainly there is an intensity to athletics, I think everybody understands that, but once the game is over we must follow through on promises made. My method of seeing improvement on the court isn't to take something away off the court, it's going to be to hold them a little more accountable when they go to practice," concluded Flanery. "It doesn't do any good to latch on to the anger or disappointment in the way we player. Typically I try to be refelective about my role and ask what I didn't do to prepare the team."
As a reflection the Creighton University mission is:
- Service to others, the importance of family life, the inalienable worth of each individual and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity are core values of Creighton. Creighton faculty members conduct research to enhance teaching, to contribute to the betterment of society, and to discover new knowledge.
Below is a summary of the cultural opportunities the Bluejays have taken in since joining the BIG EAST during the 2013-14 season.
2013-2014 Season
- Las Vegas Strip and Magic Show at the Riviera (Las Vegas, Nev.)
- Second City Comedy Show (Chicago, Ill.)
- Tour of National Monuments (Washington, D.C.)
- Statue of Liberty, 9/11 Memorial, Times Square (New York, N.Y.)
2014-2015 Season
- Pier 39, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf (San Francisco, Calif.)
- Milwaukee Bucks vs. Detroit Pistons NBA Game (Milwaukee, Wis.)
- Capital Building Tour (Washington, D.C.)
- Les Miserable or Mama Mia on Broadway (New York, N.Y.)
2015-2016 Season
- Willis Tower "The Ledge" and The Bean (Chicago, Ill.)
- Washington Wizards vs. Miami Heat NBA Game (Washington, D.C.)
- Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (Philadelphia, Pa.)
- Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center – Top of the Rock (New York, N.Y.)
2016-2017 Season
- Snorkeling and Beach Day (Bimini, Bahamas)
- Tour of West Point (West Point, N.Y.)
- Arlington National Cemetery (Arlington, Va.)
- Self-Defense Class at Gleason's Gym (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
2017-2018 Season
- Las Vegas Strip and ride on the High Roller at the Linq (Las Vegas, Nev.)
- Venice Beach and Pacific Park at Santa Monica Pier (Los Angeles, Calif.)
- Holocaust Museum and Monuments Tour (Washington, D.C.)
- 76ers vs. Orlando Magic NBA Game (Philadelphia, Pa.)
- St. Patrick Cathedral Tour, Times Square, Central Park, Rockefeller Center (New York, N.Y.)
2018-2019 Season
- St. Petersburg Beach and Sea World (Orlando, Fla.)
- Lion King on Broadway (New York, N.Y.)
- Tour of Yankee Stadium (Bronx, N.Y.)
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