Della Guidry
February 12, 2008
Robert Mike
February 14, 2008
Kathy Luke emanates intensity.
And because of it, the Vandebilt Catholic girls’ basketball coach has constructed a commanding 559-208 record throughout 26-plus seasons on the painted hardwood.
Her competitive drive, however, dates all the way back to her elementary, high school and collegiate playing days, when Luke experienced great success as a point guard.
The SportsNet met with the Houma resident to discuss her past and the current state of a Lady Terriers squad that’s poised to make a run at the state title.
SN: So where does this Vandebilt Catholic squad rank among the greats you’ve coached over your career?
KL: That’s a difficult question. Most people would think the team we had two years ago had the best athleticism and talent. We lost to No. 1-seeded Glen Oaks, the returning state champs, by two points in double overtime in the state quarterfinals. We had six kids from that team sign college scholarships.
But this year’s team will decide its fate as they move through the playoffs. Maybe this could be the best team to come through Vandebilt if it can win the state championship.
It’s not always about talent. Sometimes it’s also about hard work, desire and effort.
SN: When it gets to be playoff time, how tense do things get? Are you a little on edge as compared to the regular season?
KL: I’d like to think not – you want to be in that position. Being in the playoffs is a compliment to your program. That’s the funny thing about life: When you refuse to accept anything but the best, you often get it. We always expect to win, and we always work hard and prepare. We go into every game thinking we’re going to win.
SN: How did you first discover hoops?
KL: I played at St. Philip Neri (grade school) in Metairie, and in those days we used to play on the blacktop. We used to play outside because there weren’t many gyms then. I remember playing games in December with gloves on.
What really got me hooked on the game was when we were playing St. Angela Merici. They were undefeated, but we put a team together and I remember hitting the last shot to win the championship, and after that I was hooked. When that ball went through net, everyone went crazy.
I played in high school, signed with LSU and then transferred and finished at Mississippi State as a point guard. I also played volleyball in college.
SN: With your extensive athletic background, did you ever have a coach that you try to emulate today?
KL: I think my high school coach, Flo Kane. She was a fair person, demanded a lot of her players. She was disciplined and very organized. I learned a lot of traits through her and even coached under her – it was my first coaching job. She lived and breathed basketball.
SN: How would you describe your coaching style today?
KL: It’s changed a little over the past 14 years. I’m a pretty strict disciplinarian. I’m not tolerant of a lot of things and expect them to be done a certain way. And I think intolerant coaches make the best coaches.
I live the game 24-7 and am a workaholic, but I have changed. I think my husband has helped me change.
SN: Is he a polar opposite?
KL: He is very kind and considerate, and never raises his voice, ever. I think that laid-back quality is good, and I try very hard to emulate that. I think I’ve calmed down quite a bit.
SN: So the practices 10 years ago might have been tougher for your players?
KL: I don’t think they were any tougher, but I think the way I handled myself was different. But going through college I had coaches that yelled a lot, so I thought that’s what you did. When I first started coaching, I did a lot of yelling. But the older I get, I realize that I could probably get as much out of a kid without yelling as much. Kids play for people when they respect them and love them and I don’t think you have to yell at them to get what you want out of them. But that’s not to say I don’t yell sometimes. Still, I’ve calmed down quite a bit.
SN: Are there any male or female coaches you look to as role models?
KL: I think Pat Summit. She is a disciplinarian and wants things done a certain way. She’s a tireless worker and I think she has high moral standards. If I had a daughter this is a woman I wouldn’t mind her playing for. In her heart, she has a child’s best interest in mind.
SN: Not just in terms of hoops.
KL: Strictly not. These kids are an injury away from retirement every day. It’s very little about basketball. It’s about teaching these kids to be productive members of society. It’s about teaching them responsibility and accountability, and consequences for actions on and off the court. That’s what we’re about here at Vandebilt.
SN: Practice is over, the day has ended. What do you do to unwind?
KL: During season, I go home and am watching tape (on games). But I have a wonderful husband (Jay) and 4-year-old son named Deuce that I love, and my mom is here in town now, too. So family is important to me. But to be honest, during the season, I neglect them more than I should. But I have a husband who accepts that. He knows how I am and couldn’t do it without him.
SN: He knows it’s a part of who you are?
KL: Exactly. To me, having coach in front of my name is better than having “doctor” in front of my name. I think it’s the greatest thing you can be in life because you have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a young kid. What can be greater than that.
SN: Is there something about Kathy Luke that people might be surprised to know?
KL: Basically, I’m pretty boring. I’m not a partier. I don’t drink. I don’t smoke. I don’t dance – Lord knows I can’t dance.
I do have a little hobby – show dogs. That shows how I like to compete. I always have to compete. It doesn’t matter what I do. It’s not necessarily a good thing, but that’s just how I am. You play Monopoly, and I want to win. You play backgammon, and I want to win. I like to golf every now and then, but my husband doesn’t always want to go with me because I want to be Tiger Woods, and he just wants to go hit some balls.
SN: That has to make some interesting conversation on the range.
KL: (Laughs) Yeah. We probably couldn’t have too many kids around me when I’m hitting the ball. But for me, I always have the end in mind, but I think that creates a better foundation in life. I know where I want to go.
SN: What makes coaching worthwhile and fulfilling?
KL: I think being a coach is the biggest compliment anyone can have. We have parent’s most precious gifts in our care – their children. Every day we have an opportunity to make an impact on that child, whether it be positive or negative. And you have to remember that. Kids are always watching. I can say that I haven’t been perfect over the years, but I can tell you I work very hard to be the best teacher I can be. I think coaching parallels teaching, because I’m trying to teach them the right things about life, to have good morals and to know you’re not a failure if you don’t win. You’re only a failure when you don’t try your best. And I’m trying to teach kids to dream and climb as high as you can. I’m trying to teach them to welcome challenges and make sure to put tremendous effort into whatever you do in life. If you do this, you will reach your potential.
Kathy Luke is at the helm of a Vandebilt Catholic girls’ basketball team that is looking to eclipse last year’s state semifinal appearance. (Photo by CHRIS SCARNATI
- Tri-Parish Times)
