MCWB alums reflect on their playing days and what they miss most.
We really appreciate your responses regarding how Monmouth College shaped your lives. We miss you (times a million) and are always looking for ways to find another year of basketball eligibility! We are so proud of the accomplished individuals you have become. It was really no surprise…we could see all that taking place during your time here at Monmouth. We miss you much and know our program wouldn’t be where we are today without you to pave the way!!
Coach Bittner
Tanesha Hughes (’09): I'm living in Saint Louis, MO; I am halfway through classes towards my Master's in Information Systems Degree at Universiry of Phoenix online and my boyfriend and I are expecting an addition in late May. Also, I'm a part of a non-profit group called One Common Goal. This group is formed of different individuals from different churches over the Peoria area to serve God's people. We do feedings once a month, buying, preparing, serving and delivering this food to the less fortunate in the community. OCG has grown and we now get donations and help from other groups and organizations. Unfortunately, with me now living in St. Louis I'm unable to help as much as I want to but I'm working a website for OCG where others will be able to get updates, and keep up with what we're doing.
Melissa Gorski (’09): I am living in Arlington Heights working as an English teacher at Libertyville High School. This past year, I was the Assistant Varsity Girls' Basketball coach. For the first time in 13 years, we won both the North Suburban Conference Division and Conference. We had a 15 game winning streak, won the Mundelein High School Christmas Tournament and went on to beat Fremd High School to win a Regional Championship.
Mallory Mulvihill (’07): I currently live in Barrington, IL with my boyfriend Jon, which is perfect as it's close to family and friends as well as school. I just began my second semester of graduate school and hope to be done around this time next fall.
Lynsey Barnard (’10): I'm currently living in Dubuque, Iowa. I'm attending Loras College to get my teaching certificate and I'm one of the assistant coaches for the women's basketball team. I'm also the assistant manager for Finish Line (woot woot).
2. How has a Monmouth College degree helped your career pursuits?
Tanesha: If it weren't for my Monmouth College degree I wouldn't be in this GREAT situation that I'm in now. I love my job! I had to drive to St. Louis after graduation for an interview the next morning. Everything worked out and I'm blessed to be here. I feel that with a liberal arts degree, I was better prepared for the real world and what it has to offer.
Mitt: Monmouth College has shaped me into the teacher I am today. My English professors really helped me to delve into literature and see works from many different angles. Because of the skills I was taught in my various English classes, it has helped me to strengthen my students as English students. My education professors have taught me various techniques that I have used in my classroom on a daily basis. Their support throughout college gave me the confidence I needed to develop into a stronger teacher.
Mallory: Monmouth College gave me the boost to get back into the classroom. My reading and writing skills as an English major have given me all the necessary tools when writing papers in graduate school. I also was able to pursue a career as a journalist until the economy took a turn for the worse. Now, I can use the skills I obtained both in school and in the newspaper industry in school and work.
LB: I didn't end up pursuing a career in what I had thought I was going to, but my overall experience at Monmouth definitely taught me a lot. I'm more confident in my abilities to handle whatever I encounter in my future. My advisors were incredibly supportive and helpful in my decision to get my teaching certificate instead of going on to physical therapy grad school. Having a basic understanding of the liberal arts, I feel more comfortable and aware of what's going on in my current classes.
3. Favorite on or off the court basketball memory?
Tanesha: UGH! This is hard...there's so many! Let's see, there's the time when me, LB, and Mitt made the skit mimicking everyone on the team (FUN TIMES)...there's the times when we snuck soda and fries from the boys basketball players :) (sorry coach! )...playing and winning Bingo....of COURSE our Los Angeles trip and downtown Disney (LOTS OF FUN!)....and finally, being a part of Monmouth and MWC history and being the conference Woman of the Year. Sorry, I really couldn't just chose one.
Mitt: I have many favorite memories as part of the basketball team. One of my favorite memories include writing in the car with Coach Mac to all the away games especially when we played at Lake Park University in Chicago. Circling downtown Chicago (3 times), driving the wrong way down the street in which my uncle (a Chicago cop) told me to lock my doors after calling him to ask for directions because we were lost, and having to wait for LB to finish peeing behind a dumpster before finally making it to our game. Good times...
Mallory: I think I had the most fun in the post season just playing pick up games. It was fun and we all just got together and played because we loved it. We brought in some guys all the time to play and I remember vividly pulling out a crossover that made Doug Mittendorf fall down. He'll never live that down. I actually think I did that to LB once, but I might be making that up.
LB: There's obviously too many to choose from. On the court, Mitt's shot to win the St. Norbert game and Colleen's shot on my senior night to send us into overtime and eventually beat Lake Forest were both unforgettable. Freshman year when I broke a bone in my hand and Coach just huddled up and left me on the ground was a classic, too. But more than that, I loved the bus rides where I'd always win scratch off lotto tickets, the ice baths where I'd sing the national anthem, and random lunches and dinners with the girls were more than memorable too. The end of the year DVD that T, Mitt and I made is still my all-time favorite memory and I still laugh so hard I cry every time.
4. What do you miss most about playing basketball at Monmouth College?
Tanesha: I miss my sisters! I grew SO close to some of my teammates and I miss being able to have fun and joke with them every day. Yes, we still keep in touch but being in different states and so far away, we only get to see each other maybe 2 times a year. Can you believe this is bringing tears to my eyes?! The basketball team was my family. I have to go blow my nose and dry my eyes now. Thanks COACH! lol
Mitt: I miss playing basketball at MC because of the competition and wearing my jersey proudly. I miss being able to share in the excitement of a close win with my teammates, jumping into each other's arms after beating St. Norbert at home for the first time in a long time or looking at the buzzing clock after a game winning shot to beat Lake Forest and keeping the playoff dreams alive. I miss being able to share in the disappointments with teammates, crying on each other's shoulders when you know you could have done better in a game, regretting a decision you made, but taking comfort in your teammates who praise you for all your positives. Overall, I miss playing with teammates who have now become close friends, but unfortunately live hours away from me so that the only thing that keeps us connected is a phone call during a busy work week which was once a basketball court and a three hour practice.
Mallory: I made some really great friends playing basketball at Monmouth. Laura Hurckes and Cassie Jensen are like the sisters I never had. We find ways to keep in touch with each other since we don't meet at the same time and same place every day for practice, conditioning or weight lifting. I will say I don't miss coming out of the training with ice from head to toe though.
LB: That feeling in the pit of your stomach during pregame. It's not a nervous feeling or an exciting feeling, but more of like a "I'm ready..let's go" feeling. I miss being able to get psyched up to play our rivals. I especially miss the bribes that the coaching staff would give me for taking charges or getting rare rebounds. I miss hanging out with my teammates that turned out to be more like sisters in our dorms, in the weight room or in our hotel rooms more than anything else, though.
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