WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- As part of a new feature on pbasailfish.com, the "Sailfish Spotlight" will now showcase a Q and A with a Sailfish student-athlete, coach, or alumni. We hope to learn more about each of these individuals by asking questions that dig deeper into the lives of these individuals on and off the field or court. The first person highlighted is new Sailfish women's basketball coach, Clarisse Garcia.
1. When did you first know you wanted to be a coach?
CG: I have always had a passion for basketball, but I never considered transitioning to the coaching side until after I graduated from Villanova. As a communication major studying broadcast journalism in college, I was on a one-track career path to become the next Linda Cohn on SportsCenter. My rationale was that her time at ESPN was up and it was my turn to step in and take over. While waiting for my “big break” at ESPN, I moved back home to Pittsburgh after graduation where within a couple weeks, I was hit head-on by a car driving in my lane. I sustained multiple injuries to my lower extremities that prevented me from walking for about a month. During the time it took to heal, I was able to do a lot of soul searching to determine what God had in store for my future. In August of that same summer, Coach Berenato, who is the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Pittsburgh, called me and mentioned that her best friend needed a graduate assistant coach at Seton Hill, which is an NCAA Division II university in Pittsburgh. She explained that it was a great opportunity to remain close to the sport I loved and to obtain my master’s degree, while being mentored by one of basketball’s finest head coaches, Ferne Labati. Upon accepting that position, I realized I had found my calling in the coaching profession. Along with the gift of sparing my life in that accident, I know God has given me the chance to impact the lives of those I coach, as other coaches in my past had developed and influenced me. Although I have tabled my sports-casting dreams for now, I know that one day if I ever retire from coaching, I can still be around the sport as a basketball analyst.
2. Who are your role models, both in the coaching profession, and outside the coaching world?
CG: My parents are my role models. My dad has taught me the importance of working hard and never giving up, and my mom has shown me how to be persistent and set high goals for myself. They have constantly reassured me throughout my life that with Christ, all things are possible. I am indebted to them for the numerous sacrifices they have made and the great distances they have traveled over the years to support my playing and coaching careers. I attribute my success to their upbringing. In the coaching profession, I admire and emulate the coaching styles of John Wooden and Tony Dungy. In reading their books and following their careers, I admire these men and how they have achieved success. My main mentors in the coaching profession are Harry Perretta at Villanova, Ferne Labati at Seton Hill, Agnus Berenato at University of Pittsburgh, and Jason Crafton at the Naval Academy. Their support of me has been unwavering.
3. You have lived most of your life in Pennsylvania, how has it been adjusting to life in South Florida?
CG: I believe I do a pretty good job pretending I am a native Floridian because I love the beach and warm weather! My whole life has been spent in the northern half of the country, and every winter when the climate would drop to subzero temperatures, I would always say, “I wish I could move south to escape this cold weather!” I am glad there is truth in the old adage, “Be careful what you wish for.” I can honestly say that having the beach within walking distance has made the transition and adjustment quite simple. However, I am still trying to get used to the excessively large bugs down here!
4. What drew you most to applying for the head women’s basketball coach at PBA?
CG: When I read the description for this position, I immediately knew the job was tailor made specifically for me. Everything for which Palm Beach Atlantic stands has been guiding principles in my own life. When I came to PBA for my interview, I felt at peace and excited that this would be the place I would home for years to come. The people at PBA make this university a truly special and unique one. I am blessed to have the opportunity to be around them daily. As an ambitious and passionate person, I also wanted the challenge of creating a program where I could minister to the student-athletes and help them improve athletically, academically, and spiritually during their four years at PBA so they would grow and set the tone for their lives after graduation. Although our school is ideally located near the beach, and numerous restaurants and shops, the location had nothing to do with it!
5. If you hadn’t have gone into the coaching profession, what would you have liked to have done as a career?
CG: I would definitely be an anchor on Sports Center; however, I am excited about the fact that my teams will be making the news for now instead of having me as the one reporting news on other teams. My other dream was to play professional basketball in Spain (just like Monica did in “Love and Basketball,” which still remains one of my top five all-time favorite movies).
6. Who is the toughest player you ever faced during your playing days at Villanova?
CG: All of our opponents were tough, as the Big East is a competitive and strong conference. I remember Diana Taurasi was a senior when I was a freshman and we had to play them at our gym on our senior night when they were ranked #1 in the country. Taurasi was always intensely competitive and skilled, so we knew it would be a feat to negate her skill and toughness in order to win. On that night, the gym was completely sold out. People had come from all over to see Diana Taurasi take over again. When we beat them, it reminded me that anything is possible on any given night. I believe UCONN was looking for revenge that night after our team had beaten them the previous year in the Big East Championship game to end UCONN’s 70 game winning-streak.
7. If you could only take three things with you to a deserted island, what would they be and why?
CG: A Bible, a boat, and an airplane. A Bible because you should not leave home without it. A boat to explore the island, and an airplane so I could leave when I wanted and also bring others back to join me.
8. When you aren’t playing or coaching, what else do you like to do for fun?
CG: When am I not playing or coaching, is the better question. Although those are my passions, I have come to the realization that I will not be able to play basketball forever, as my joints most likely will not support that activity in the far-out future. That being the case, I have picked up golf and yoga. I know playing golf is supposed to be a leisurely activity, but I am so competitive that I end up having to do yoga to relax from it. I also enjoy reading, cooking, and going to the beach. I am even considering getting a pilot’s license in the near future.
