MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions: Head Coach Kevin Borseth
7/21/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 21, 2011
Each weekday in the month of July, MGoBlue.com will feature an interview with a U-M head coach. On Thursday (July 21), head women's basketball coach Kevin Borseth talks about a strong returning core, spending time with family, and working in a lumberyard.
What makes the summer in women's basketball so unique?
It is an offseason. Summer basketball in our sport is not organized. It is all self-motivated by our players. Nothing is done by the coaches in regards to our own team, so it is all on the players to get work in and improve. It is unique because they are in charge of their own development. All of our players are here this summer, so that is a very positive sign for us.
Why are the summer months so important to the development of the team?
There is no down time. If you are a major Division I athlete, you always have to be striving to get better and improve. That is the nature of the beast. Everyone is trying to get an edge on everyone else, and I think you have to put the time in to make yourself the best you could possibly be. Our players are all here working together, which I think is great. They have been able to work as a core group to get better, faster and stronger for next season. We have some new kids coming in, so everyone is getting to know each other. I think this is a valuable time for our team to grow and improve together.
What do you see as the team's biggest strength heading into next season?
We have a veteran group coming back. We have four of our starters returning and have only lost one player. Now, she was an important player who we are going to miss, but we have a lot of players coming back who understand the rigors of the season, understand what the Big Ten is about and the level of competition they will face. They know the amount of effort needed to be successful at this level. I just think that when players come in as freshmen, you are overwhelmed with academics, with being away from home for the first time and all the little things away from actually playing the game. Sometimes you are just trying to get your feet on the ground. That is why it is so valuable that we have a group of veterans returning who can help guide our newcomers, show them what is expected of them at Michigan.
What was your first summer job? And where?
I worked at a lumberyard as a delivery boy in Land of Lakes, Wis. My father owned lumberyards growing up, so I drove a big truck to deliver sheet rock, bricks and lumber.
Do you or did you have any special travel plans this summer?
Everything I do will be family related. With the kids out of school, we have the opportunity to take them to visit our other families up north. August is a down time with our student-athletes gone, so we will take advantage of that to see and spend some time with the rest of our family.
Since your season ended, tell us one unique thing you have done?
Everything just snowballs into the next. End of the season to Big Ten meetings to basketball camps to the recruiting season, it just keeps going. My unique thing is coming up. Maybe I will jump in a kayak and take a ride in a kayak down the river. Who knows; my unique thing is TBD.
Past MGoBlue.com Summer Sessions
• Head Men's Lacrosse Coach John Paul (July 20)
• Head Wrestling Coach Joe McFarland (July 19)
• Head Women's Track & Field Coach James Henry (July 19)
• Head Women's Golf Coach Cheryl Stacy (July 18)
• Head Rowing Coach Mark Rothstein (July 15)
• Head Women's Swimming Coach Jim Richardson (July 14)
• Head Volleyball Coach Mark Rosen (July 13)
• Head Men's Soccer Coach Steve Burns (July 12)
• Head Women's Cross Country Coach Mike McGuire (July 11)
• Head Men's Cross Country Coach Alex Gibby (July 11)
• Head Women's Soccer Coach Greg Ryan (July 8)
• Head Men's Tennis Coach Bruce Berque (July 7)
• Head Men's Track & Field Coach Fred LaPlante (July 6)
• Head Water Polo Coach Matt Anderson (July 5)
• Head Men's Swimming & Diving Coach Mike Bottom (July 1)
