Hard work + sacrifice = Success

By BARBARA WALKIN

Senior FN Reporter

barbara@nasguard.com

Going on her merry way doing what she does best at Portland as the assistant basketball coach for the women's program at the university, Yolette McPhee-McCuin had no idea what "miracle" was to come her way.

The over the phone offer for the coaching job at Pittsburgh is how Yolette described the new position "a miracle, a blessing."

Just getting the information, as the journalist anxious for news, I thought this was a job that Yolette was about to step into.

However, the offer was for her to begin right away and as of August, when the University of Pittsburgh lady Panthers arrived Yolette was there among the other coaches to welcome the team.

Speaking with Yolette on Monday afternoon from Pittsburgh, she recalled that she was in Atlanta on a recruiting assignment for the University of Portland when her phone rang.

"And the voice over the phone told me that my name was being mentioned heavily for the position in Pittsburgh."

Yolette was shocked! Why?

Because, she did not even apply for the position, but by some "miracle" her name was at the top of the list for the job and, I might add, her name was among coaches that have had years (15-20) of experience.

Well, Yolette made no qualms but just continued doing her job for Portland. Then the phone rang again and this time it was the voice of Pittsburgh president offering her the coaching position at the university.

This offer was one that Yolette could not turn down. "Not just from the financial aspect, but for the opportunities it provided for both my husband and I."

Oh yes, she's married now.

Both Yolette and her husband are now employed by the university. "They are trusting me with one of the elite programs and I feel that my move from here will be a head coach position, and not just at any school but at one of the top schools."

That's her goal!

Yolette has been bouncing the basketball since the age of four and her experience is vast. "For me the other coaches that applied for the job had the experience on paper, but I've been a part of the game all my life.

"And all I know how to do is love the game, embrace it ... and when you work hard people notice. Here I am, at Portland I was the first black coach in the history of the program.

"Now I am at Pittsburgh, one of the top programs in the nation," she added.

"This is proof that when you work hard people notice," Yolette stressed.

This move was so urgent for Pittsburgh that, as Yolette says, "we didn't even have to pack, they sent people to pack us up and move us. They were serious and I thank God for this blessing."

The coaching staff and team welcomed the new assistant coach and posted her arrival in the school's news letter.

"Yolette McPhee-McCuin has been named an assistant coach with the Pitt women's basketball program, announced head coach Agnus Berenato (August 4).

"McPhee-McCuin comes to Pitt from the University of Portland, where she served as an assistant for one season.

"Yolette is a vibrant, vivacious, up-and-coming coach," Berenato said. "She is a fantastic recruiter on the West Coast and will really open up doors for us there and in her native country of The Bahamas. She did a great job at Portland and we are excited about the national exposure she offers from her time in the northeast to the west coast."

A former point guard at Rhode Island, McPhee-McCuin went on to coach one year at Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas, and two years at the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. While at Pine Bluff, McPhee-McCuin earned her Master's degree in physical education, graduating with a perfect 4.0 grade point average."

As a player at Rhode Island, Yolette played in 56 games in two seasons and helped lead the Rams to the 2004 Atlantic-10 Conference championship game.

Yolette began her collegiate career at Miami-Dade Community College, where she averaged 9.0 points and 6.9 assists per game. She was an all-state and all-region selection and ranked third in the nation in assists per game in 2002.

For now Yolette said her focus will be on taking Pitt to and winning a national championship.

In 2007/2008 season the Lady Panthers made their first ever 'Sweet 16' appearance; they had their second consecutive NCAA appearance and were one in the top eight.

This works is Yolette's favour, "I will just continue to build on what they've already accomplished."

Of course, her passion is to get as many young Bahamian female players in the program.

As one could imagine word of Yolette's move resulted in screams of joy from her parents, Gladstone "Moon" and Daisy McPhee.

"We were excited when she got the job, especially over how she got it," said "Moon" McPhee in an interview with The Freeport News.

"She moved from a mid-major to a major univeristy in the Big East as an assistant coach. She's young so her future looks good and all she has to do is to continue to work hard," added the proud father.

"This should be an example for the young ladies here ... and the guys that hard work pays off."

McPhee said that from a little girl Yolette was always a hard worker. "She tries to send that message to the younger players, even in her camp, that you have to work hard ... you have to work hard in and out of the classroom."

Although McPhee is excited for his daughter, he could not let it go by without mentioning that Yolette is out of the HOYTES (Helping Our Youth Through Education and Sports) program.

"More than anything else we are excited that she is out of our program, Yolette, Cristin and Lenora Adderley. I just see good things happening for them," he added.

This of course is especially good for McPhee, because Yolette is in the state of his favourite football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers. "So, I'll be going up there a lot to watch my girl and my Steelers.

"But seriously, she is a young female Bahamian who's making it in team sports and that's the example she wants to set. We are proud and the whole Bahamas can be proud," said McPhee.

"This is her time!"

© 2008 The Freeport News