COLUMN: Guevara is the best coach at CMU
When I first started to cover the Central Michigan women’s basketball team, I had no idea that I would be getting involved with one of the best coaches in CMU Athletics history.
That’s how I feel about Sue Guevara, and I know I’m not alone.
After the Chippewas' first game of the season when they were throttled by Notre Dame 107-47, I honestly didn't expect Guevara to talk to the media, but that’s because I didn't know anything about her.
When I did get the chance to talk to her and ask about how this team would respond, what she said has stuck with me throughout the season.
“It was our first game of the season and that was the number one team in the country,” Guevara said. “We don't have to play them again. We have a long season ahead of us with so much to play for. This team can bounce back.”
She was more than right, and while she won’t give herself the credit, I will.
I have watched almost every game this season, and ever since the first game against the Irish, she has found a way to get everything out of her team.
It’s the reason CMU is now on its second six-game winning streak in Mid-American Conference competition.
Every night this team brings what she calls a “championship mentality”. Every player on the team has bought into it, and is now playing their role perfectly as the season nears March.
Whenever her team needs a bucket, Guevara knows when to call a timeout. From my observations, more times than not, those timeouts result in points and change the game flow toward CMU’s favor.
Another small thing not many people get the chance to see, is how focused on the team Guevara is when she addresses the media.
Right when the Saginaw native sits down, she instantly gets into what happened in the game and what her team needs to do better. She's always honest whether it’s good or bad news.
What has impressed me more than anything else though, is how Guevara continuously puts everyone else that is even somewhat involved with her life ahead of anything about herself.
Whether it’s the players, fans or other coaches, she will be the first one to tell you that they are the reason for the victories.
After CMU defeated Western Michigan on Feb. 11, Guevara tied Doninta Davenport’s program record for the most wins in CMU women’s basketball history at 171 total victories.
What Guevara said after I asked her about how she felt on tying the record, really speaks to the kind of person she is.
“I always did admire Donita (Davenport) when I wasn't here yet. She did a phenomenal job in her time here,” Guevara said. “To be honest, I had no idea I was even near that record, I’m just focused on winning down the remaining stretch of tough games we have.”
Off the court, she is no different. Guevara has a personality of giving and showing appreciation.
Guevara is all about helping out with good causes, such as the annual hoops for hunger game, where 12 elementary schools from the community came out to watch her team play while raising a combined 42,621 pounds of food for the Greater Lansing Food Bank.
When the horn sounds and the game is over, Guevara thanks the fan base just for coming out and being loud, and tells them, “we have the best fans in the world” over and over again.
On Saturday, after getting her 173rd win, Guevara received a video presentation that featured Michigan State men's basketball coach Tom Izzo, former player Crystal Bradford and Guevara's father congratulating her on the achievement.
“I was surprised, touched and overwhelmed,” Guevara said. “All of those people that were on (the video) have really played a part in my coaching career. It really meant a lot to me.”
The recognition was well deserved.
Guevara has spent 10 years with this basketball program, and has brought them back to being a team that contends for the MAC title.
To me she isn't just a great coach -- she's the best coach at CMU. Period.
When you can break a school record for wins in just 10 years, after the previous record holder (Davenport) took 12 years to reach what you just surpassed, then that's saying something because it doesn't happen often.
If you ask someone about the women’s basketball team here at CMU, the first response you will get back most times has involved Guevara’s name.
The fans believe in her, the players believe in her and the community believes in her.
Whether Guevara wants to admit it or not, she is the main reason this program is where it is at, and I’ll be the first one to back it up.
