November 12, 1999
"You don't have to be tall to be good!"
Coach Sanchez
By: Dan Muñoz
Staff La Prensa San Diego
Coach Evonne Sanchez is no
stranger to the San Diego area. Once before she stormed into town
and challenged the Aztec Gods to try and beat the fired up "pilots"
team from our " Lady of Peace Academy," where
she was the girl's basketball coach for 4 years (1989-1993). She
came to San Diego and led the "Pilots" to a pair
of CIF San Diego Section Division III championships!
Now she is back! This time, she is back now wearing the colors of her ancestors, the black and red of the AZTECS! Evonne is back as the Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at San Diego State University. Coach Sanchez comes from New Mexico State University where she served as assistant coach for the Aggies during 1993-1999. On the court, she coached the guards and assisted with recruiting and academic monitoring.
Bienvenida Coach Sanchez
Evonne Sanchez was born at Los Alamos New Mexico. During her high school years the family moved to Albuquerque where she attended El Dorado High School. "I started playing basketball there. I played the two guard and was a starter for three years under Coach Don Flanagan," she said. "I helped the school win two New Mexico State Championships. I first went to the San Diego area when I attended United States International University (USIU) in 1985-1989, when they were a Division I school. At that time they were in the West Coast Conference. We won the conference in the first year that I was there playing point guard." Sanchez was a four year letter winner at USIU. And earned her B.A. in psychology.
L/P - When did you decide you wanted to be a Coach?
Sanchez: When I was still in
college, I wanted to work with kids… the less fortunate ones.
So I went for a psychology degree. After I quit playing, it was
tough to put it away... I went to work for a place called "NEW
ALTERNATIVES" which was a shelter for abused kids at a local
college. While I was at "Our Lady of Peace" High School
as a Coach for the girl's basketball team, Michel Brunker, whom
I had met at the local Police Athletic League and AAU affiliates,
called me one day and said there was an opening at San Diego State
and asked me if I was interested in applying for the job. Of course
I was, I told him! Though I didn't know Couch Barb Smith personally,
I knew of her reputation. I knew I had to try for it.
L/P - What experience did you have that led you to believe you could lend the job?
Sanchez: I had my experiences as a player in high school, in the colleges and the experience as a coach in New Mexico where I coached and was a recruiter.
L/P - Did you think about going Pro first?
Sanchez: No, I didn't think I was good enough... Not at that time anyway. I was only 5'7"… Not too many openings for me as a Pro in 1989. But you know you don't have to be 6'10" to be a good basketball player. You have to have a specialty if you're short... perhaps being able to shoot, be quick etc.
L/P - What are your responsibilities with Aztecs ?
Sanchez: I am the assistant coach for the Point Guards. I am also the recruiting coordinator. In reality, recruiting is everyone's responsibility. Everyone has to be involved. Recruiting is a tough business. We are going after players that can play in a lot of different places. We are waiting for some responses… You have to go after the best players that are available. The kind of players that can turn your whole program around. In fact, we were recruiting all over the country during the Sept. home visits.
L/P - Can you tell me who are some of your prospects for the coming year?
Sanchez: No, it is against
the rules to disclose that information but I can tell you about
some of the top prospects who signed last year who are now on
the team… Like Casey Wheeler a 6'3" player, out of Bakersfield.
She will be looking to play inside as well as outside. She can
play inside, come out and shoot the 3. She brings us a lot of
diversity. Then there is Brea Ahern who is just a pure shooter.
She will be our 2 player, a shooting Guard. She is an incredible
player. She also can play inside and outside. She is pretty versatile.
Unfortunately, she came down with an ankle injury but she will
be back soon. Andrea Kesley is a 3 player out of Montana. She
works tremendously hard. She wants to really play and every day
is improving. She has a great jump.
L/P - Who is your Center?
Sanchez: Mary Apiafi (senior) 6'2", she is a tremendous player… We are recruiting right now for new center to replace her.
L/P - If I had a daughter 6'10" who loves to play basketball why should she come to San Diego State?
Sanchez: If she is 6'10", and is a basketball player, she could be a home town heroine who comes in and helps turn San Diego into a top 25 team!
L/P - What kind of assistance will she be offered?
Sanchez: She would get room, board, books tuition and fees and is renewable each year for 5 years. If she does the things she is supposed to do on the court, academically, and good citizenship, she will probably beat the full five. She would also get summer school paid for. She must maintain a 2.0 GPA. Obviously we don't want to be just an Average team and so we don't expect to be just a 2.0 (C average ) student. Our GPA was the highest in the athletic department last year.
L/P -Do you have any international players on the team?
Sanchez: Our center Mary Apiafi was born in 1978 in Nigeria. She is the only one we have. But we are very open to recruiting from other countries.
L/P - Any recruitment planned from the Hispanic communities?
Sanchez: It is just a question of them getting out and playing more to where they come to our attention. We do have Juniors that are about ready to try out. We have been watching them in the summer tournaments. The entire month of July we devoted our time to seeking talent throughout the country. We go to AAU tournaments which are at the amateur level, high school tournaments, Junior league tournaments, even little league tournaments and go see prospects play. This year we need to sign four prospects. They have to be good to get invited to San Diego State.
L/P - How much support do you get from Rick Bay, the Athletic Director for recruitment?
Sanchez: I've only been here four months and I really like what I see. Rick meets and talks with every recruit that is invited to our campus. Our Associated Athletic Director Jana Doggett also meets with all the recruits and takes time to talk with them.
L/P - How do like your new arena?
Sanchez: I Love it!
L/P - Just how many coaches and administrators does it take to run your program?
Sanchez: There are four coaches. There is Coach Berb Smith, Steve Hubert, Sandy Wright, myself. We have Paula Davila who actually runs the entire office.
Coach Evonne Sanchez is the first Latina to be an assistant coach for women's basketball. Come on out and catch her on the court with the team. The public can enjoy the game for only $7.00. Youth and military do the same for only $4.00! We hope to see you all at COX Arena at the Pacific Bell Classic November 26 & 27 at the COX Arena at Aztec Bowl. Tip off time for the Friday Nov. 26 game will be at 5:00 p.m. with Portland St. vs Missouri, at 7:30p.m. Indiana will challenge YOUR AZTECS!
On Saturday the 27th at 10:00 a.m. a consolation game will be played. At 1:00 p.m. the Championship game will be played! See you there! For season tickets or individual tickets call: 283-SDSU!
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