by KELLI FONTENOT
Published Feb. 11, 2009 in The Current Sauce
Jennifer Graf, Lady Demons basketball head coach, said she could only think of one thing she dislikes about coaching basketball.
"It's absolutely beautiful outside in July, and we have to sit in a gym that's about 40 degrees," she said. "I swear, it's freezing cold in there."
Whether she's relaxing on Sibley Lake or attempting to wakeboard, Graf definitely prefers being outside on sunny days.
Seeking refuge from Tuesday's rain in her office in Prather Coliseum, Graf said most of her outdoor adventures take place during the summer because she spends most of her time during the rest of the year focusing on work.
Graf, 30, is now in her fifth season as head coach for the Lady Demons.
The team has played eight conference games this semester and has eight left.
In addition to coaching, she said she likes watching movies, a pastime that she said can be beneficial during the eight-hour bus rides before and after games.
On the way to Saturday's game against University of Central Arkansas, though, the girls brought a few DVDs Graf didn't enjoy.
"We watched three horror movies in a row," Graf said. "That was terrible."
Graf said she turned her head to the side for some of the more graphic scenes in the film "P2," but not every trip involves horror movies.
She added that she wants to see "He's Just Not That Into You."
Before her trip to the theater, Graf will coach the team against the University of Central Arkansas this Saturday for a "Pink Zone" game.
"Women's basketball takes a week to try to raise awareness and money for breast cancer," Graf explained. "The girls wear pink uniforms, and we try to get donations for breast cancer research."
Raising awareness is a tradition that takes place at many college campuses across the country.
Graf said some of the Lady Demons take a personal approach to Pink Zone because they have friends and family members who are battling breast cancer.
"It really hits home," she said.
Graf said the team has already raised more than $2,500 this year.
The team has also succeeded on the court this year despite misconceptions involving age.
"I have such a young team - there are a lot of freshmen and sophomores this year - but they don't play young," Graf said.
She said she views that maturity as a result of the efforts of the upperclassmen who have guided younger players on and off the court.
"You just never know how a student is going to react to this freedom that they have," Graf said. "What do you stand for? What do you want to live for? You can't just stand there and let life happen to you; you've got to find out what you want and stand up for what you believe in."
When Graf isn't coaching, she travels around the country recruiting high school basketball players, focusing heavily on attracting Louisiana's talented athletes.
"If we can get the best players in our state, that's definitely to our advantage."
Graf said that recruiting these students is a unique experience because coaches sometimes meet players as early as their sophomore year of high school.
By the time the student has graduated she has a connection with her coach that continues beyond her college years.
"In college, you just have so much growing up to do," Graf said. "You're just maturing into the person you're supposed to be, and we get to watch that, and that's the amazing part."
