Q&A with Felisha Legette-Jack
2/18/2023 11:48:00 AM | Women's Basketball
As the Syracuse Orange prepare to host Miami in the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, Feb. 19, (1 p.m., RSN/YES Network), for Senior Day, we continue our Q&A series to help you get to know your Orange! In this edition we talk with head coach Felisha Legette-Jack.
How does it differ coaching in your hometown than coaching elsewhere?
FLJ:Â It's the best city in the country. It's the best state in the world. I am so fortunate to be here and it feels like every day I wake up to a dream that came true.
Why did you decide to become a women's basketball coach?
FLJ: I just really felt like there's an opportunity for me to share with the world that this game can be special to you in any capacity and I felt like it was easier to be on the inside than the outside.
Where is your favorite place to grab a bite in Syracuse?
FLJ: Right here in the Melo Center with Miss Mo cooking.
What is the one thing that you must do or have before a game?
FLJ: I don't have a routine, I'm just a faith-based person. The steps are already ordered and whatever is supposed to be is already done.
Which one of your players is the funniest?
FLJ: They all bring their own idiosyncrasies to the table. Stretch [Dariauna Lewis] is pretty funny, when Dyaisha wants to get into her little silly side she's got ways to make you laugh from the gut. They all really have their moments.Â
What separates a great athlete from a good athlete?
FLJ:Â Resiliency and tenacity of purpose.Â
What do you miss about being a player rather than a coach?
FLJ: I want to take over. I want to show people how to do it. As a player, I was able not have to talk I just was able to show them. I didn't have to teach what intensity looks like, what passion looks like, what getting a stop on defense looks like, what being a comradery cheerleader looks like. As a coach, I still do some of that but I miss those moments the most.Â
If you had to describe this year's team in one word, what would it be?
FLJ: Fighters
How can we give female athletes more representation and opportunities?
FLJ: Come watch them. Give them a chance. If you watch females what they do, you are gonna be hooked on it because what we are gonna show you is our passion is our approach.Â
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How does it differ coaching in your hometown than coaching elsewhere?
FLJ:Â It's the best city in the country. It's the best state in the world. I am so fortunate to be here and it feels like every day I wake up to a dream that came true.
Why did you decide to become a women's basketball coach?
FLJ: I just really felt like there's an opportunity for me to share with the world that this game can be special to you in any capacity and I felt like it was easier to be on the inside than the outside.
Where is your favorite place to grab a bite in Syracuse?
FLJ: Right here in the Melo Center with Miss Mo cooking.
What is the one thing that you must do or have before a game?
FLJ: I don't have a routine, I'm just a faith-based person. The steps are already ordered and whatever is supposed to be is already done.
Which one of your players is the funniest?
FLJ: They all bring their own idiosyncrasies to the table. Stretch [Dariauna Lewis] is pretty funny, when Dyaisha wants to get into her little silly side she's got ways to make you laugh from the gut. They all really have their moments.Â
What separates a great athlete from a good athlete?
FLJ:Â Resiliency and tenacity of purpose.Â
What do you miss about being a player rather than a coach?
FLJ: I want to take over. I want to show people how to do it. As a player, I was able not have to talk I just was able to show them. I didn't have to teach what intensity looks like, what passion looks like, what getting a stop on defense looks like, what being a comradery cheerleader looks like. As a coach, I still do some of that but I miss those moments the most.Â
If you had to describe this year's team in one word, what would it be?
FLJ: Fighters
How can we give female athletes more representation and opportunities?
FLJ: Come watch them. Give them a chance. If you watch females what they do, you are gonna be hooked on it because what we are gonna show you is our passion is our approach.Â
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Players Mentioned
F
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