Friday, January 12, 2018

Part of a regular series.

Throughout the year, GNACsports.com uses this space to profile conference student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. Collectively, it is these individuals who make the GNAC one of the top NCAA Division II athletic conferences in the nation.

Name: Steve Steele
Sport: Women’s Basketball
School: Northwest Nazarene
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho (Born & Raised In Southern California)

Colleges Attended & Degrees: Concordia University, Irvine (Undergraduate, Religion with focus in Exercise Science), National University (Graduate, Coaching and Athletic Administration, Education Specialist Teaching Credential).

Why Did You Become A Coach: I'm a sports junkie and I've never really gotten over the fact that my own sports career is over. I want to be able to reach kids and change lives. I know this is how God wants to use me to do it.

Who Has Influenced You The Most As A Coach - Either As An Inspiration, A Mentor, Or Philosophically: My dad. He has coached me in several sports, coached with me and mentored me all my life. I still use many of the things he has shared with me while I was growing up, and we still talk today after pretty much every game. I'm also a big John Wooden fan (I suppose this goes without saying since I'm a basketball coach from Los Angeles).

Biggest Obstacle Overcome As A Coach: Moving up from the high school ranks to the college ranks was definitely the toughest step I've had to make.

What Does Division II Mean To You: Balance between academics, athletics and social/family life. Division II allows athletes to experience high-level sports without it being their "job" while in school.

Extracurricular Activities: Watching sports (especially soccer) and all of my L.A. teams (Lakers, Dodgers, Kings, Galaxy, Rams). Outdoor activities with my family - skiing, hiking, rock climbing. Cheering on my kids in their various activities.

Best Advice You Would Give To Student-Athletes: If you're not having fun, then you're doing it wrong (or you're doing the wrong thing).

If You Could Spend The Day With One Person (Past Or Present), Who Would It Be (And Why): Too many to choose from.

Favorite Sports Team: Los Angeles Galaxy.

Favorite Athlete: Too many to choose from.

Most Memorable Sports-Related Moment: My first college game as a player. My first college game as a coach is a close second.