KUTZTOWN, PA (March 2, 2010) – Katie Dovey is a half-glass full type of person.
When Dovey felt the searing pain in her shoulder, she knew she wouldn't be able to play her final year of college basketball. Dovey could've sulked and walked around feeling sorry for herself, but instead she did the opposite.
“My motto is you can choose to be happy,” Dovey said. “There's always an upside to every situation, no matter how bad it may seems.”
The positive of Dovey's dislocated shoulder has enabled her to still be a valuable contributor to the Kutztown University women's basketball team. She may not have seen a minute of actual game action this season, but her insights, leadership, inspiration and knowledge in the role of student-coach were key factors in the Golden Bears' regular season.
Dovey will be on the bench with her clipboard sitting next to assistant coach Steve Hahn when the Golden Bears (18-9 overall) host Bloomsburg (16-10) tonight in a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference quarterfinal game beginning at 7 p.m.
After starting 20 games last season in which she averaged 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds, Dovey was poised for a breakout senior season. Dovey scored a career-high 18 points last year in a road victory at West Chester. Then the shoulder that she had surgery on five years prior, popped out of place and forced her to the sideline. That slight discomfort hasn't kept Dovey from still dressing and participating in practices. She runs sprints with the team, throws the ball into the post and operates the scoreboard.
“It's hard not being able to play, but I am not the first person with a career ending injury and I won't be the last,” Dovey said. “I just had to accept the situation and make the best of it. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to with or around the team this year. When coach told me I could stay around as a student-coach that helped a lot.”
It seems like a natural fit for Dovey, who is a secondary education/biology major. Dovey picks up little things that the casual observer may not see during games. Since she wants to be a teacher after earning her degree from Kutztown, coaching is a natural fit. Dovey spends her mornings and afternoons student teaching at Governor Mifflin High School.
“I really like it and it's a lot of fun,” Dovey said. “Student teaching is a big adjustment from college life, but I like to stay busy. As for coaching you see so much more when you step back. It's so much easier to see things.”
Dovey's suggestions will be helpful for her teammates in order to solve Bloomsburg's complex zone defense. Head women's basketball coach Janet Malouf is thrilled to have Dovey on staff.
“I wish she could've played her senior year,” Malouf said. “I've seen her mature in all kinds of ways over the last four years. She's been a pleasant addition to the staff. She always works hard and has never missed a day of practice. She's handled the adversity well and I think she is a tremendous role model.”
She is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). Whenever she has free time, Dovey has volunteered for the Special Olympics, Luther House, Friends Inc and Reach Across America. With her bubbly spirit, Dovey enjoys putting smiles on the faces of everybody that crosses her path.
Dovey's basketball beginnings were something out of a comedy scene. At the age of 8, Dovey, who was a little taller than everybody else, would always play at halftime of a high school game. She would shoot layups and grab the rebound while the other kids futilely jumped and grabbed a piece of Dovey's arm. This would go on for a while until Dovey eventually put the ball in the basket.
“My older cousin, Kristen, played and I always looked up to her,” Dovey said. “I always liked sports. I remember those games at halftime; I used to be so embarrassed by them.”
She has enjoyed her time as a student-athlete at Kutztown. Her favorite class is animal psychology. When Dovey isn't providing instruction on the court, she relaxes by listening to country music or watching a movie featuring her favorite actor, Will Ferrell.
Saturday afternoon during its regular season home finale against Bloomsburg, Dovey put on her sacred white Kutztown jersey for the final time. She was honored for four years of dedicated service along with Vivian Melvin (Chichester, PA/Chichester), Rachel Wisemiller (Hazleton, PA/Hazleton Area) and Chauntelle Schroeder (Toronto, Ontario, CANADA/Mother Teresa). After winning 20 games combined as a freshman and sophomore, Dovey knows the significance of hosting a quarterfinal playoff game and finishing second in the PSAC East.
“Hosting a playoff game means a lot to all of us,” Dovey said. “It's a reward for all of the hard work we put in during the last four years and to be able to get better each year is a good feeling. I love Kutztown and I've met some of my best friends for life. I am not ready to graduate yet.”
Somehow, Dovey will make the best of that situation too.
--KU--
