The Amy Eagan Podcast

Gary (00:02.245)
Welcome to the Amy Egan podcast where each week, Lindenwood University head women's basketball coach, Amy Egan talks women's basketball and much, much more. We'll talk about past games, future games, the players, the Ohio Valley Conference, the NCAA, academics, careers, and many other interesting topics. This week, we talk about a big winning run, 11-0 run at UT Martin. Freshman Stevie Lockhart will join us.

And I'll ask Coach Egan about the state of women's college basketball specifically in the winter of 2024, and we'll talk also a couple of minutes about a career preparation event for all Lindenwood University women's athletes. Next week, Steeny, welcome. It's got cold here recently and you come from Texas. How does a Texas girl survive the St. Louis cold?

Stevi (00:53.29)
Yeah, it was definitely, it's been an experience. I had to go buy another winter coat. Very, very cold. Not like this in Texas at all. It gets cold there, but not quite like this. So it's been an adjustment to get used to, but it's been all right.

Gary (01:10.649)
Oh, good. Welcome to St. Louis, I guess, is the way we can say that. And so let's talk a little bit about Stevie. So so far, you've been at Lindenwood for eight or nine months, something like that. What's been the best part of being a Lindenwood student so far?

Stevi (01:13.255)
Yeah.

Stevi (01:24.322)
Um, I would just say I really like the area here. It's very fun, but I would just say my teammates, I mean, we all get along really well and so that's just been really fun living with them and just getting to do stuff outside of basketball as well as been really fun. So I would say just my teammates probably has been the best part.

Gary (01:43.017)
And of course, when somebody asks you the best part of something, you always have to follow up with what's the less than best, what's the worst part of being on the Newwood students. So far, besides the weather, we already talked about.

Stevi (01:52.878)
Oh, I'd say the parking. I can never find a parking spot ever. So, yeah.

Gary (02:01.703)
Do you have a big honking Texas truck or something?

Stevi (02:04.782)
No, I have a small car, but yeah.

Gary (02:09.557)
Okay, well maybe it could be the driver and not the parking spot.

Stevi (02:13.578)
You're right. You're right. I'm not a very good driver. So.

Gary (02:16.638)
So, I mean, we tease about Texas. You're a good sport about that, obviously. What were the factors that led you to join coach Egan at Lindenwood?

Stevi (02:25.726)
Well, when I first talked to Coach Egan, I'm not sure what grade I was in, but Coach Egan is just a great person. So she was my main factor in coming here to Lindenwood. I was committed to her at jury before she came here. And I knew nothing about Lindenwood coming in, but I trust Coach Egan. So that was the main reason and I'm here.

Gary (02:50.877)
Okay, that's good to hear. I'm gonna go to the UT Martin game. And I didn't get a chance to watch it live. Coach, I was at the men's Marquette seat and hall game on Saturday afternoon. So I was kind of a conflict, but I watched it on Tuesday evening on ESPN plus. And Stevie Lockhart, that was quite the steal late in that game. Step us through what was going on there.

Stevi (03:07.761)
Uh.

Well, we'd practiced on chasing out and I just knew that I needed to get the steal. So I just had to go make a play. We hear that a lot in practice so I just had to go out there and do it and I'm just glad that we could turn it over into points.

Gary (03:26.873)
And as I recall, you were able to kind of find a sneaky pass to a teammate. Did I see that correctly when you made that save? When you made that steal?

Stevi (03:35.338)
Yeah, yeah, we got it. I think I threw it to either Ellie or Wally, and we went down and scored, so that was good.

Gary (03:41.105)
We want to call the ESPN to have that put on the top 10 plays, but Stevie, they wouldn't take it. So we'll have to maybe get that next time. And if you want to talk a little bit, I know you're a freshman and freshmen can make changes, but what's your major right now as we talk in January of 2024?

Stevi (03:45.245)
hahahaha

Okay. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Stevi (03:56.226)
My major is physical education without the elementary teaching side of it. So I'm doing a lot of like nutrition and first aid classes right now. So somewhere along the lines of I really like the idea of like teaching Pilates or like a bunch of stuff like that, like wellness classes. So I don't know something along those lines.

Gary (04:18.781)
Oh, cool. And so that's kind of what you're looking to do after your basketball career is over to get into that kind of, oh, good. OK, and that's two more questions for you. And you're a Division I women's college basketball player, and there are going to be other young women listening to this podcast that want to grow up to be like Stevie Lockhart. What kind of what's one piece of advice you would give Stevie, has you had to give others from your perspective on what it takes to be a D1 player and play for somebody like Coach Egan?

Stevi (04:24.395)
Yes.

Stevi (04:49.53)
I would say, I'd say just follow your dreams. I mean, from a very young age, I always had a dream of playing college basketball, whether it didn't matter what division it was. And so I say if you have a goal, chase it and keep setting goals for yourself and just live every day as if it's your last. So that's what I would say.

Gary (05:10.249)
Well, Stevie, you are an impressive young woman. I wish you every success at Linda Wood. You're welcome to stick with us for the rest of the podcast, of course. Coach Egan, let's start off with that 11-0 run on Saturday afternoon to close out the win against UT Martin. There had been some games recently, including the Little Rock game on Thursday, where those runs went against your team. Describe what it meant for the Linda Wood-Riemann's team, and especially the younger players, to have that success last weekend.

amy (05:37.439)
Well, I mean, you know, I think it was it was great to see. I mean, I think, you know, I've said it over and over. We've got the right kids in our program and they care a lot.

I mean, it's very, very obvious. You know, I had a coach tell me today, I don't know if I've seen a more positive group of young women that are young and have lost some games, but just continue to look like they just love what they're doing and striving to do great things. And I think he's, that coach was 100% right. Like it's hard to do what they're doing right now and not seeing the immediate benefits of it. But you know, we've been right there in a lot of games and.

You talk about some youth and you talk about learning how to win at this level and what it takes. And, you know, Stevie said, you know, we talk a lot about making a play, making a play. And I thought it was the first time that we made the plays, you know, when it came down to the end of the game. You know, I said, you know, in the locker room, Mikaela Wallace got a steal from the point guard and shot a layup. And then Ellie tipped it from the four player from behind and got a steal. And then Stevie got a steal.

Alyssa Nielsen had a couple blocks. Like we just made plays down the stretch that you need to make and be able to make in order to win close games. And so, you know, for us, it's continuously trying to continue to learn what that looks like and how to do those things and be able to flip a lot of those close games into W's.

Gary (07:07.505)
And we had Maya Scoff on the podcast in December, I think. And she, of course, hit that three as the shot clock expired on Saturday afternoon. What kind of improvement have you seen from Maya since the start of the season?

amy (07:20.884)
I think Maya keeps getting better and better along with our whole group. Again, I think they really care and they put the work in. And so I think she has continued to get better and better. I think all of them, when you look at them, are just getting a lot more comfortable with our system. What we want out of them day in and day out. How to defend screens, how to get through screens, how to help, like all those kind of things. I just think some of it is comfort as well, but they're definitely getting better.

You know, I might as a kid, like a lot of our kids that they're in the gym a lot, you know, when they have the ability to be in the gym, they're in the gym getting extra shots up, you know, putting themselves in a situation to hit game winners. And, you know, we've talked a lot even as a staff and talked to the girls in the locker room a while back about, you know, who's willing to take that last second shot because not everyone's willing to do that, you know. You kind of seek that in kids and find that in kids and

I think Maya is one of those kids that's willing to do that. So I was happy for her. I think we did a lot of really good things as a team to set that up. I think you watch it on film and just Ellie getting her eyes to the rim on that catch and them just collapsing on her got Maya wide, wide open. So some things we talk about all the time with eyes to the rim and what that can do. And I think it was a great way for us to end that game. And there was no doubt when Maya.

when Maya let that go that it was going in.

Gary (08:48.557)
I presume, Coach, that they ran the play exactly as you drew it out?

amy (08:53.019)
Um, yeah.

Gary (08:55.253)
Ha ha

amy (08:56.86)
You know, in all honesty, we didn't really draw up a play. We talked about like how to attack a 1-3-1. You know, we didn't need a last second shot, but we just knew we needed a good shot. And sometimes with a young group, if you draw stuff up, they get very literal with it and think that is the only look. So we probably did the right thing. And, you know, just...

Gary (09:16.118)
Ha ha ha.

amy (09:21.68)
kind of helping them through, like these are your, some possible looks, you know, with it, but again, our kids just really made some good reads on that and made the right play.

Gary (09:31.525)
weeks ago, Linwood had an event after one of your games and I had a chance to sit and chat with Celine Arlen quite a bit, an impressive woman in her own right, in her own right. And she's stepped in to get some minutes that Gracie Kelsey had earlier in the season because of Gracie's injury. She plays with some serious intensity for someone who is almost always going up against someone bigger than her.

amy (09:52.581)
Well, I mean, so thankful that Selena is here and in our program because, you know, without her and everything that she's stepped up and done for us, I mean, we recruited her as a four player, you know, and asked her, hey, when you when she got here, can you can you learn a little bit of the five just in case, you know, with it. And now we're strictly having to use her in a five position, which is not her true position with stuff.

Number one, we're really, really blessed and thankful that she's willing to do those things because not every kid is. I mean, the amount of time that she has to battle down there against bigger, stronger kids, again, just a warrior for us, and such a team player and team kid, and we wouldn't be doing what we're doing without her. I think she's getting a lot more comfortable with our system too, our first game against...

Gary (10:26.398)
Ha ha.

amy (10:44.872)
Second game of conference when we played Western Illinois was her first game and you could tell she was a little bit nervous and questioning some stuff. I think against CMO the first time as well. Now I think she's a lot more comfortable. I think her positioning is really good. She's battling and she does a lot of really, really good things for us. So I think some of that again, she's getting some game experience and some she's learning our system down there and getting more comfortable with it. So I think it's really helping.

Gary (11:12.181)
And I remember, let's go back to the nine freshmen. And I remember you saying to me last fall that your team would be a different team in February than it would be in November and December. Do you see that continue to develop over the next four to five weeks?

amy (11:26.688)
You know, it is amazing to me. I mean, CMO was what, two weeks ago? Two weeks ago, I think. And the amount and the jump that we've taken in two weeks, it is to me amazing. And you know, I think we still got a ton of room for growth and a ton of things we can do better and a ton of things we can add and you know, all that kind of stuff. And I've said it over and over, I don't know how much of it we'll get to.

Gary (11:32.809)
Something like that, yeah.

amy (11:57.012)
But I think that, you know, we're continuously growing and I think that has to be contributed to the kids we have in our program because they're just willing to continue to put themselves in a position in practice that's tough and hard to put themselves in a position where they're not seeing immediate gratification and just working to get better and better.

Gary (12:19.357)
And it seems to me for someone who likes to go to the games and provide guidance to the referees, as we've talked about before, that you've only played like two or three games in St. Charles over this whole season. And now it looks like, I don't know what it looks if you think about it. Yeah. And now six of the final 10 are at home. So what are you looking for in those last 10?

amy (12:30.064)
Well, yeah, it feels like that too. But yeah, absolutely. And we said, you know, as a staff, you always kind of look at conference and I thought February set us up really, really well to when you talk about playing your best ball and that, because now you not only are playing it, you know, playing in February with a whole new group and you're getting better and better, but you also have your six man.

six people there in the stands, you know, so I expect February to be a good month for us. Now, I don't know if that's gonna contribute to wins or losses, what that looks like, but I think it's gonna be a really, really good month for us to continue to do what we're doing and continue through this process. I mean, we've won two of the last four. I mean, you talk about how kind of exciting when you look at it that way, we've won two of four and I think we're headed in the right direction and I'll be excited to get back in front of our fans.

Gary (13:28.501)
I'll be there tomorrow night. Stevie, if you need me to give some special attention to the referees, let me know and I'll be happy to do that for you. OK? Very subtle, I think, is what I'm going to go with. The next question is kind of a long wind up, Amy, so bear with me. And you and I talked about the state of women's college basketball on the podcast last fall. And there was even a story, I think, last weekend that women's college basketball outdrew some NBA games last week, the week after.

amy (13:34.768)
He's really good at it.

amy (13:52.424)
Mm-hmm.

Gary (13:54.477)
And as you all know, because I teased you a lot about it, I had the chance to see the Yukon women play in Milwaukee last week against Marquette. And the level, Amy, of talent for players, really on both teams, was just stunningly good. And I know you had one of those high level players for your jury a couple of years ago. What are you seeing? And I know you get out and recruit during the season. What are you seeing as you watch high school players this year in the past few years, including even the college freshman?

on your team.

amy (14:26.008)
You know, I think they're coming in more prepared, whether that's because a lot of them now are starting at a younger age, or having trainers at a younger age. I think they're coming in more prepared. I do think like, and I was kind of thinking about this with the OVC and that with our conference, man, we have a lot of really good freshmen in our conference. If you look at rosters, if you look at some of the, you know, the kids that are playing really well.

the McCowen kid from Western Illinois. I mean, you look at the McCarn kid from UT Martin the other day. Obviously, I think we got some really good freshmen on our team. I think you're seeing a lot of kids that are freshmen that are maybe landing at, I wanna say, maybe a different level than you used to see them at because of the transfer portal. And there's a lot of teams in some schools that only believe in going to the transfer portal.

So I think it's helping a little bit of even our league, you know with stuff But I mean now's the time I'm telling you now's the time to get on board with women's basketball It's growing. I think now's the time to get on board with our program in all honesty because I think you're gonna see some really great things happening in our program in the next few years, so You know, I would encourage everybody to watch I mean, there's just a lot of skill

You know, and I think you're seeing a lot of women play with a lot of passion and where that used to be sought. You know, people used to think that was a negative thing. I think a lot of people are seeing how positive that is now. Their passion to play the game that they love, the sport that they love, and the skill works just going through the roof.

Gary (16:07.037)
And then finally, let's move on from basketball a little bit. And as you know, in the first week of February, next week, we're hosting a career preparation event for all the women's teams at Lindenwood. And we've lined up nine professional women from different industries and from across the Midwest to provide some career stories and guidance to not just your players, but to all women players at Lindenwood. In coaching, in your experience as a coach, what kind of evolution have you seen from colleges in general?

to support the post sports careers of women student athletes.

amy (16:41.261)
Yeah, well first, I mean, Gary, I think, and I hope our women realize how lucky we are to have you putting that together for us and to be able to get in front of women that can help guide them, teach them, be role models for them in the profession that they're in because there's not every program in the country that is able to do that or willing to do that. So

I think our women are really, really fortunate to have an opportunity presented in front of them. And I, again, I hope they realize how fortunate and lucky they are to have that. You know, I think, you know, you talk about whether it's the coaching world, whether it's the working world, whatever world it is these days, I think a lot of it is who you know, right? And who can get you places. So making some connections here with women that can get them maybe internships to grow their resume, to help.

guide them to what it takes to be in the field, what the field looks like. I think all of that's so, so important. So I think we're really, really lucky and blessed that we're able to do that for our women. I think the earlier they start in their career with it and building those resumes and doing those things is also really important. And so they're having some opportunities to do things that maybe some other kids aren't or willing to do that can really help them take off. So.

Again, I think it's a great, great thing for our women. And I know our women are on board and they're gonna be invested in it. And I think overall it's a great thing for women's sports. I think a lot of employers like to hire athletes, right? You look at female athletes and this isn't saying anything negative against people that are non-athletes, but I mean.

Gary (18:17.649)
Oh, absolutely. Yep.

amy (18:26.636)
I think our women are growing every day in their confidence. They're growing every day in their work ethic. They're growing every day in how to handle adversity, which are things that make them successful out in the working world. And they may not see that sometimes when they're in their situation, maybe at a young age, but when you graduate and you get done playing a college sport, you learn so many things from that I think a lot of employers are wanting to hire.

if they have the ability and they have, and it's the right fit, hire an athlete because they have a lot of the intangibles.

Gary (19:00.341)
So we've come to the end of this podcast with Lindenwood University Head Women's Basketball Coach Amy Egan and Freshman Guard Stevie Lockhart. I encourage you listening to this podcast to share the link with friends and families, neighbors. If you have questions or comments for Coach Egan for future podcasts, email them to me, gstocker at lindenwood.edu. We'll talk next time.