Miner strikes gold with basketball
Campus Times
March 7, 1997
Senior Katie Miner, a transfer from Golden West College in Huntington
Beach, has started for the women's basketball team for the past two years.
Head coach Julie Kline has taught the 21-year-old Miner since her sophomore
year at Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights.
Sports, for many students at the University of La Verne, are just another
part of their daily lives. For senior Katie Miner, sports, and basketball
in particular, are not only a part of her daily life but have become like
second nature to her, something she can do without even thinking about it.
"I used to play with my dad and brother when I was younger,"
said Miner. She has been participating in basketball since she was in the
fourth grade. Having a natural talent for the sport, Miner played for a
junior high school team while she was still in elementary school.
In eighth grade, Miner participated in a traveling basketball team that
played around the country during the summer.
"This gave me a lot more experience in playing the sport and prepared
me for playing on a high school team," said Miner.
Miner attended Wilson High School in Hacienda Heights. For Miner's first
three years of high school, Julie Kline, ULV's women's softball and basketball
head coach, was her basketball coach.
"Katie is a winner. She gives you her heart and soul whether it
be as a daughter, friend or as a player. Katie is honest, loyal and one
of the most genuine human beings I know," said Kline.
During Miner's senior year in high school, she was named "Player
of the Year" in the San Gabriel Valley by both the Los Angeles Times
and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
When Kline moved on to ULV to continue coaching at the collegiate level,
Miner wanted to follow but due to financial restrictions could not attend
her first two years at ULV. Miner decided to attend Golden West College
in Huntington Beach, where she continued her basketball career.
While at Golden West, Miner made All-Conference her first two years
in college. After completing two years at Golden West, Miner was finally
able to transfer to ULV and become a member of the women's basketball team
under the leadership of Kline once again.
"Julie[Kline] is very supportive, she has taught me to work hard
for the things I want," said Miner.
"Katie's first love is basketball. She is a complete player on
and off the court, both on the offensive and defensive end," said Kline.
Being on ULV's basketball team, Miner has once again found success.
Last year she made the second team for All-Conference. As for this year's
team, "We have had a lot of injuries with our players. We have the
talent, we just haven't been able to put it together, all five of us on
the court. So, all the injuries have just been a challenge for our team,"said
Miner.
Freshman Lori Johnson, another member of the women's basketball team,
believes she has learned a lot from Miner.
"She is a real good player. She works hard and is dedicated to
the game. I've learned defensive and offensive positions from her, how to
have a good attitude in the game, and how and when to step up or move my
game to another level in a tough decision,"said Johnson.
Miner not only faces basketball in her daily life, but is also a diversified
major, taking eighteen units a semester to graduate on time. She hopes to
become an elementary school teacher one day, although her first choice in
careers would to be a firefighter.
"Los Angeles County Fire Department is hiring, so I could go in
as a college graduate not needing any prior training,"said Miner.
"I'm used to being busy all the time. Good things come out when
you work hard, and so far I've accomplished everything I've wanted to accomplish,"
she said.
"One of Katie's best qualities is the inner strength she has and
the level of confidence she carries with her into everything she does. She
sometimes cares so much about people and what she does, that she allows
it to drain everything out of her," said Kline.
In her spare time, Miner loves going to the beach. In the summer, she
heads to Mexico for snorkeling and scuba diving.
As for her future, Miner wants to graduate, start her career, find a
husband and "do the whole family thing. I have a real strong family.
My parents have been supportive of everything I've done. They have never
pressured me to do anything, just have always been real supportive,"
said Miner.
"I know without any reservations and complete confidence Katie
Miner will be successful in everything she does. She accepts nothing short
of success. She will always be a part of who I am as a person and as a coach.
Katie's work ethic is a model for all athletes. Just by watching her practice
and compete, people can learn lessons of life on what it takes to be successful,"
said Kline.