Self-awareness is a strong suit for Ron Newquist.
The veteran coach and club director of the Illinois Wolverines offers a personal review of his characteristics that likely would match up quite well with the observations of a person who is watching Newquist for the first time.
He gestures. He’s verbose. You might say he’s bombastic. Well, let’s let Newquist fill in the blanks.
“I’m a very hard coach to play for,” he said. “I’m demanding. I’m in your face. I’m loud. But I also tell the kids at the same time, if you ever stop having fun playing this game you need to walk away from it. When that game is over, we can joke around and goof around like anybody else.
“I tell them this all the time: I love each and every one of you like you’re my own kid. But I’m going to treat you like my own kid when you’re not responding and doing things you’re supposed to do. But understand that it’s coming from love and not anger or hate or just being a jerk. It’s coming because I want you to succeed (more) than anybody.”
And his record speaks for itself. In addition to the on-court success, Newquist has sent more than 20 players into the college ranks on full scholarships since the Wolverines’ girls’ program began in 2000. (Newquist started the Wolverines’ boys’ teams in 1989 and at one time had a team that included Antwaan Randle El, Tai Streets, Napoleon Harris, Melvin Ely and Erik Herring.)
“We started the girls just because there was a need for it in our area,” Newquist said. “The kids in our area were going out and playing way out west. So we started with two teams and it evolved from there. The next year we had an open tryout and we had over 300 kids come out. We had 12 teams that next year, from fourth grade up to seniors.”
Newquist said that for the Wolverines’ first few years “we just played in the tournaments that we could find.”
Then?
“Then I found out about USJN. Somebody told me about it, and we started playing their entire circuit. That’s what vaulted us to an elite status. Coming to USJN was a big, big boost.”
Facing such stiff competition regularly in USJN events aided the Wolverines in a major way when they ventured to AAU national tourneys or major showcases like the Nike Music City Showdown in Tennessee. All along the way, however, the Wolverines have performed in a way that reflected Newquist’s philosophy toward the sport.
“It’s a passion. It’s about the love of the sport. And it’s about developing the kids,” he said. “Our motto is development first, then exposure.”
The theory is simple: If you develop as a player, you’ll put yourself in a position to be seen by important sets of eyes.
“We’re all about getting our kids scholarships,” Newquist said, “no matter what level it is. It’s all about getting them a free education. I network the heck out my kids.”
And Newquist says his greatest payoff comes later.
“I’ve always said my paycheck is going to see my kids play in high school and seeing them play in college,” he said.
A Look At Some Wolverine Standouts:
Bria Gaines (6-2, F, Bloom Township, Class of 2013): “Bria Gaines is a special story. She didn’t start playing basketball until her eighth grade year. Didn’t start playing club ball until her sophomore year. She developed slowly, but she was developing. (As a sophomore) in high school she averaged 10 points a game, six rebounds. I got the high school job where she goes and worked with her relentlessly over the summer. She came back this year and averaged 27 points and 16 rebounds and was first team all-state. Her work ethic is second to none, and now the kid is a premier post player. She’s a premier recruit.”
Danielle King (5-5, G, Rich East, Class of 2015), Katherine Strong (6-0, G, Bloom Township, Class of 2015): “My 16 Elite team, every one of those kids is special in their own way. But potential-wise, I’ve got two freshmen, Katherine Strong and Danielle King. They’ve been with me the past three years; they both played on my grade school team that went to the state championship. Those two have so much raw potential and athleticism. Now we’re trying to refine their basketball skills. Ellen Graham (6-2, F, Lincoln-Way North, class of 2014) is another one. She’s 6-2, long, and is learning the game.”
Diamond Beatty (5-5, G, Tinley Park, Class of 2013), Claire Ryan (5-6, G, Marist, Class of 2013), Paula Zerante (5-7, G, Marian, Class of 2013): “They are not immensely talented kids, but their basketball IQ is huge. They’re constantly thinking the game, they know what to do on the floor, and their work ethic is second to none. They’re kids that can make it at that D2, NAIA level. Maybe even lower D1 for Diamond and Claire just because they’re such fast guards, so explosive going to the basket, and they both have great three-point shots. We always tease Claire and say, ‘Claire, it’s OK for you to smile.’ She’s so hard on herself and is a fierce competitor. When the game is going on, there’s no smile on that kid’s face.”
