2008 Woodie Awards
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Coach joins personal and professional life
Packard attempts to continue program's family atmosphere
Bob Culp
For almost 18 years Kelly Packard, Ball State's recently hired women's basketball coach, has lived in the balance of two families.
In one, her role has been that of a wife to her husband Rich Packard and a mother to her sons, Derek Packard, 13, and Evan Packard, 9.
The second one exists within her career, where she serves as a coach and stresses family values to her team that she works to guide to success both on and off the hardwood.
Recently those two family circles are starting to loop together more than ever.
At a recruiting stop in late July, each recruit's graduation year dwelled in Packard's thoughts more than their statistics. The recruits will graduate in 2012, the same year her oldest son, Derek, graduates from high school.
"When my kids were younger, there really wasn't much correlation between working with 18-22-year-old girls and raising toddlers," Packard said. "Now there is a lot of carry-over between talking about your character, talking about putting yourself in situations where you can make good decisions, talking about how your friendships influence decisions and talking about how we carry ourselves in public. All of the sudden, the conversations I could be having with the team are very similar to the conversations I am having with our kids."
As Packard approaches a new job, community, administration and players, she said she wants to share her two worlds with those associated with her.
"You didn't just get me [with this job]," Packard said. "You also got my family."
Getting the job
When Packard first heard about a possible coaching job opening at Ball State, she was more than 1,000 miles away from Muncie.
Watching a basketball game from the Colorado State University stands, a gentleman sitting next to Packard informed the Anderson University grad of the head-coaching vacancy.
Acting hastily, Packard took what she felt was an important next step to obtaining the position.
In one, her role has been that of a wife to her husband Rich Packard and a mother to her sons, Derek Packard, 13, and Evan Packard, 9.
The second one exists within her career, where she serves as a coach and stresses family values to her team that she works to guide to success both on and off the hardwood.
Recently those two family circles are starting to loop together more than ever.
At a recruiting stop in late July, each recruit's graduation year dwelled in Packard's thoughts more than their statistics. The recruits will graduate in 2012, the same year her oldest son, Derek, graduates from high school.
"When my kids were younger, there really wasn't much correlation between working with 18-22-year-old girls and raising toddlers," Packard said. "Now there is a lot of carry-over between talking about your character, talking about putting yourself in situations where you can make good decisions, talking about how your friendships influence decisions and talking about how we carry ourselves in public. All of the sudden, the conversations I could be having with the team are very similar to the conversations I am having with our kids."
As Packard approaches a new job, community, administration and players, she said she wants to share her two worlds with those associated with her.
"You didn't just get me [with this job]," Packard said. "You also got my family."
Getting the job
When Packard first heard about a possible coaching job opening at Ball State, she was more than 1,000 miles away from Muncie.
Watching a basketball game from the Colorado State University stands, a gentleman sitting next to Packard informed the Anderson University grad of the head-coaching vacancy.
Acting hastily, Packard took what she felt was an important next step to obtaining the position.
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