Temple University Athletics
LaKeisha Eaddy
Spotlight on Women's Basketball's LaKeisha Eaddy
12.15.09 | Women's Basketball
Temple senior LaKeisha Eaddy was recently interviewed by Melisa Baez for the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management's Senior Seminar Newsletter.
Why did you decide to play basketball at Temple University and was it your primary choice?
I decided to play basketball at Temple because they had been recruiting me since my freshman year in high school. This showed me that they were loyal to me and really wanted me to play for them. As the years passed, I did unofficial visits and established a relationship with the staff and players. This allowed me to feel like I was already a part of the Temple family. Also, since I am a guard and Dawn Staley was the head coach, I knew that I would be learning from the best. Temple was my first choice because they were there from the beginning of my recruiting process.
NCAA stresses the importance of being a Student Athlete. How did you manage to balance your academic career as well as being a key athlete at Temple?
I've just always been the type of athlete who puts “books before ball.” Being the first one in my family to go to college really motivated me to stay on task and to do well in school. Also, since my coaches and professors have always emphasized the fact that after I'm done with basketball, I have to have a back-up plan. I've really focused on time management and being successful in the classroom. Prioritizing tasks and assignments has really been key for me balancing basketball and academics. If you do not plan things out and wait until the last minute to do things, as a student athlete, you will have a hard time.
Why did you choose Sport and Recreation Management as your major?
I choose Sport and Recreation Management because I love sports and I want to be involved in this industry as a coach when I hang up my sneakers.
What has driven you to continue your career in basketball, and where do you see yourself in the future?
My family and my love for the game is the driving force behind me playing basketball. In the future, I see myself playing professionally or coaching.
If you did not play basketball, what would be your major focus in your career?
If I did not play basketball, my major focus would be on getting more involved in the coaching industry by coaching high school basketball or travel teams in an attempt to develop a stronger knowledge base since I would not have the playing experience.
What type of work have you done outside of playing college basketball? (coaching, community service, etc.)
I completed an internship this past summer at Axis Sports Performance where I developed and marketed a basketball-specific strength and conditioning program for athletes ages 7-18. I have done volunteer work at the Dawn Staley Foundation after school program for underprivileged youth. There, I helped the adolescent girls with school work and taught them the fundamentals of basketball. I've coached at numerous camps, including the Dawn Staley Camp, Buzz Brahman Shooting Camp, and River Hill boosters basketball camp. I've done a lot of volunteer work with Coaches vs. Cancer and I've also worked with the Philadelphia Marathon. I have done a lot of things over the years with relation to sports, but mostly basketball geared.
If you could give advice to incoming student athletes, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that time management is essential if you are a student athlete and that in order to minimize the daily stress of classes and your sport, you have to do assignments ahead of time. I would also tell them that they have to be dedicated to their sport because your college experience will revolve around that sport. It's really a job!
Why did you decide to play basketball at Temple University and was it your primary choice?
I decided to play basketball at Temple because they had been recruiting me since my freshman year in high school. This showed me that they were loyal to me and really wanted me to play for them. As the years passed, I did unofficial visits and established a relationship with the staff and players. This allowed me to feel like I was already a part of the Temple family. Also, since I am a guard and Dawn Staley was the head coach, I knew that I would be learning from the best. Temple was my first choice because they were there from the beginning of my recruiting process.
NCAA stresses the importance of being a Student Athlete. How did you manage to balance your academic career as well as being a key athlete at Temple?
I've just always been the type of athlete who puts “books before ball.” Being the first one in my family to go to college really motivated me to stay on task and to do well in school. Also, since my coaches and professors have always emphasized the fact that after I'm done with basketball, I have to have a back-up plan. I've really focused on time management and being successful in the classroom. Prioritizing tasks and assignments has really been key for me balancing basketball and academics. If you do not plan things out and wait until the last minute to do things, as a student athlete, you will have a hard time.
Why did you choose Sport and Recreation Management as your major?
I choose Sport and Recreation Management because I love sports and I want to be involved in this industry as a coach when I hang up my sneakers.
What has driven you to continue your career in basketball, and where do you see yourself in the future?
My family and my love for the game is the driving force behind me playing basketball. In the future, I see myself playing professionally or coaching.
If you did not play basketball, what would be your major focus in your career?
If I did not play basketball, my major focus would be on getting more involved in the coaching industry by coaching high school basketball or travel teams in an attempt to develop a stronger knowledge base since I would not have the playing experience.
What type of work have you done outside of playing college basketball? (coaching, community service, etc.)
I completed an internship this past summer at Axis Sports Performance where I developed and marketed a basketball-specific strength and conditioning program for athletes ages 7-18. I have done volunteer work at the Dawn Staley Foundation after school program for underprivileged youth. There, I helped the adolescent girls with school work and taught them the fundamentals of basketball. I've coached at numerous camps, including the Dawn Staley Camp, Buzz Brahman Shooting Camp, and River Hill boosters basketball camp. I've done a lot of volunteer work with Coaches vs. Cancer and I've also worked with the Philadelphia Marathon. I have done a lot of things over the years with relation to sports, but mostly basketball geared.
If you could give advice to incoming student athletes, what would you tell them?
I would tell them that time management is essential if you are a student athlete and that in order to minimize the daily stress of classes and your sport, you have to do assignments ahead of time. I would also tell them that they have to be dedicated to their sport because your college experience will revolve around that sport. It's really a job!
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