Nov. 17, 2004
Interview by Sam Miller, Illinois Sports Information
Sam Miller: What attracted you to U of I?
Stacie Terry: Coach Grentz. First and foremost her history and accomplishments and the work ethic she has instilled here. I knew it was just a matter of time until they got it done - getting the program back to what Coach Grentz is used to.
SM: What separates Coach Grentz from other coaches? What are some of her strengths on and off the court?
ST: What I appreciate more is the fact that she motivates those kids to play so hard every day. She's an unbelievable motivator. She holds them captive with her voice, obviously outside of the fact that she's a wonderful teacher, and she's won 600 games.
SM: What strengths do you bring to the program?
ST: I'm the youngest on the staff so I think that helps me relate to the players. I think I can gauge their feelings and let Coach Grentz know what they're thinking, what they're feeling.
SM: What was playing professionally in Poland like?
ST: Playing in Poland was wonderful. I encourage anyone who has the opportunity to go overseas and play. It was a learning experience for me, so that alone was worth the trip. Basketball overseas is a lot more physical. It was challenging, because being an American over there, you feel a lot of weight on your shoulders.
SM: What was the culture like in Poland?
ST: It's very Americanized. They had McDonald's, Pizza Hut, Dominos, all that stuff. Actually, a lot of them spoke English, because over there, they're learning English as a second language. They're learning English at a very young age. It was easier for them to communicate with me, than it was obviously for me to communicate with them. Polish is a Slavic language, and it's very hard to pick up.
SM: What about your teammates?
ST: My teammates were great. They actually embraced me very well. It was fun because you're learning different cultures, and being around different people takes some getting used to both ways.
SM: What are your goals while here at U of I?
ST: To continue to learn from the people here. Coach Grentz is an amazing teacher. She has so much to give. I'm just absorbing everything that I hear...
SM: Who are you most anticipating playing against this season?
ST: Actually, Michigan State would be the game for no other reason than I'm pretty familiar with their team. I've recruited a couple of kids who, I hate to say, decided to go to Michigan State, so I'm excited to see them and play them.
SM: How has the WNBA impacted women's ball?
ST: I think there's a future in it for women now as a career. That has caused a lot of young ladies to jump on board and start playing basketball early, taking it more seriously in terms of the money to be made after college.
SM: How does U of I compare to the other programs you have been a part of?
ST: The facilities are amazing here. Little things like having our own practice facility and practice floor is unbelievable and unheard of in many schools. That alone is a huge difference.
