A Word from Coach Pearson

I am extremely proud of our three seniors. They joined the Cardinals during a period of change for this program and took on a great challenge. Not only were they expected to play a significant role on the basketball court but they were forced to be the prominent leaders in our program for most of their careers. I put a lot of pressure on them at a young age to be the hardest workers on our team and strong leaders on and off the basketball court. Most college athletes are not ready for such large leadership responsibilities early in their careers, but Jess, Kim and Cherie embraced their roles and exceeded my expectations. These three have fought hard and have accomplished so many things in their careers that will never be read in a statistical line. Through their leadership, they have taken a team that struggled in the beginning to a place where they have experienced much success in the final chapter of their playing careers. These three have never given up, they have fought hard for four years and I am so thankful they experienced success. They are an example of what it means when people say that hard work pays off.
In many of the coaching staffs meeting with the class of 2011, we discussed how they want to leave this program. They held on tight to the idea of leaving this program better than how they found it and have done exactly that. Our women’s basketball team has worked extremely hard in the off-season and much of that is attributed to the hard work of our seniors. They laid the foundation and are fortunate enough to have a wonderful group of teammates who have shown dedication to achieving our team goals. Our seniors will graduate from Saint Mary’s University, leaving an everlasting impact on our team. Our program is better because of their hard work, dedication and positive attitudes on and off the basketball court. I thank you for working so hard, for trusting the process, your coaches and your teammates, for treating people so well and for handling yourselves with class. You have set a great foundation for the future of Saint Mary’s University women’s basketball.

Kim Kaminski has improved in four years more than anyone I have ever been around as a player or as a coach. Kim has always been hungry for our teams success and is constantly (even right now in the final weeks of her playing career) looking for ways to become the best basketball player and teammate she can be. She has developed her game on both ends of the floor and has become one of the more respectable post players in our league. She has become a smarter player, a stronger offensive threat and a defensive nightmare inside because of her physical play. Kim relates well with her teammates (especially the freshmen) and always makes sure that everyone feels included. Kim I appreciate your willingness to be coached, the effort you have put in to improve, your great positive attitude and most of all how well you treat everyone around you!

Cherie Kulig is the type of player who is always up for a challenge and continues to bring her game to a new level each year. Cherie has become one of the best defensive players in our league. It is not uncommon for Cherie to draw three charges in a single game and lock down on our opponent’s best driver. Offensively she has developed every part of her game and become a complete player. Cherie is the type of teammate who keeps you on your toes. Her wit and sarcasm sometimes catches you off guard and it isn’t until you start to walk away from her that you realize how funny her last comment was. Thank you for working so hard every single day and for being such a strong leader for our program. I appreciate how hard you have pushed yourself, how well your treat those around you, the toughness you show every single day at practice and your leadership and communication on and off the basketball court.

Jess Miller may be one of the most athletic basketball players I have ever been around. Everyone talks about Jess and her ability to score but I am most impressed with her dedication to becoming a stronger and better defender (which she works hard on every single day at practice). Jess’s athletic ability and quickness getting off the floor have given her a jump shot that is nearly impossible to defend and helped her to become one of the better players in our league. Jess’s ability to find the good in every person in her life has made her a wonderful leader and teammate. Jess works hard every single day, treats her teammates very well and never gives up. Thank you for always giving it your all and for being so coachable. I greatly appreciate your resilience and the dedication you gave to your team, this program and school.

Parents/Grandparents: I would also like to quickly thank all of the parents and grandparents who support our program. In changing times, our program is extremely blessed to have supportive parents and grandparents. You have raised your daughters to have very strong morals and great work ethic on and off the basketball court. Your daughters treat people very well, work hard, have fun with each other and continue to be positive representatives of Saint Mary’s University and our women’s basketball team. Thank you for your positive support and the encouragement you consistently give your daughters. They have learned well and continue to develop into terrific young women.