Crick named women’s basketball coach
By Holli L. Rapp
Steve Crick has been named head women’s basketball coach for the 1999-2000 season.
He replaces Joe Conroy, whose contract was terminated in January.
Crick has coached at a variety of colleges including Rockford, Highland and Spoon River. He also coached the boys at Kirkland Hiwantha.
He has 15 years of coaching experience including six years coaching women’s basketball at the community college level. He has three years experience at the NCAA Division III level and was named Division III Women’s Coach of the Year in 1986-87.
Crick, who is a financial aid officer for the College of Nursing at St. Anthony’s in Rockford, resides in Loves Park with his wife, Nina, and the seventh grade son.
The new head coach said he did not have any plans to move to the area currently since his wife is employed at Rock Valley College.
Only four players are expected to return for the Lady Apaches, including two that sat out the season due to injuries. Crick will also have to look for an assistant coach, and he said he would like someone from this area.
Randy Casey, former assistant, left the position when Crick was named head coach. Casey was the only other candidate for the head coaching position.
Athletic Director Mike Riley and Crick worked together at Spoon River, Riley coaching the men and Crick coaching the women.
"I look forward to working with Mike again," said Crick.
According to Crick, who hopes to have 11 or 12 players next year, "there seems to be a list of 8 to 10." But Crick is quick to point out that he also encourages any current students who want to play next year to give him a call at ext. 474.
When describing his coaching style, Crick said that he has never gotten a technical foul and would never embarrass a player by yelling at them during a game.
The Lady Apaches will need rebuilding for next season, with only four players expected to return, and two who have never played a college game, but Crick has worked at rebuilding programs at Spoon River and Highland.
Riley said, "He has experience at the community college level in recruiting and financial aid, a positive attitude, and a philosophy of how to succeed at the community college level."
April 8, 1999, the Apache