It’s Hump Day! Last week, Wisconsin's Head Football Coach, Matt Rhule, recently appraised a good QB at $2 million—it's a stark reminder of the evolving landscape. The once straightforward decision-making process for student-athletes is now clouded by hefty price tags and financial considerations.

Amidst this financial turbulence, we bring you today's interview with Alex Richey, the Head Coach at Oglethorpe University. Unlike the high-dollar quarterbacks creating a buzz, these Oglethorpe players aren't chasing the paycheck; they're pursuing the chance to thrive in a respected program.

One last thing. New name, what’s up! #BETWEENCOURTS

LAST WEEK TODAY
💯 MVP’S

Player of the week: Deja Kelly, UNC

She let the Twitter trolls get the best of her after UNC’s lost to South Carolina. While it’s important to remember players are people too, I loved watching it unfold live. Reality TV is good for the soul every now and then. Thank you Deja for your service.

Coach of the week: Alex Richey, Oglethorpe University

Aa former student-athlete turned Head Coach, we had the opportunity to get to know Coach Richey and his program better through our exclusive interview. By the end of today’s story you’re going to become both a Coach Richey fan and Oglethorpe WBB fan. Fun fact about Coach Richey: Although NIL wasn't a thing during his college basketball days at Oglethorpe, he would have chosen Rivian for an ideal partnership.

Team of the week: University of Texas

Not only did the University of Texas’ football team get into the College Football Playoffs, but the Texas women’s basketball team beat UConn for the first time after having a record of 10-0.

TODAY’S STORY
💥Coach Spotlight: Alex Richey at Oglethorpe University

Meet Coach Richey

Alex Richey isn’t just a coach; he’s the architect of Oglethorpe women’s basketball, navigating the challenges and victories with the support of his devoted family. As he embarks on his 10th season at Oglethorpe, the journey is more than a coaching career — it’s a testament to the bonds of family, mentorship, and unwavering commitment.

Growing up in Atlanta, Richey chose to extend his basketball journey at Oglethorpe University, influenced by his former coach, Allen Whitehart. Under the guidance of Head Coach Philip Ponder, the spark of passion was kindled. His parents, the pillars of his values, instilled in him the mantra; “Work hard and do things the right way.” This is now evidently woven into his coaching style with the women’s program. Makes for a great Instagram bio too ;)

Passion is more than a buzzword for Coach Richey; it’s the driving force behind his commitment to Oglethorpe’s mission. It’s not just about developing athletes on the court; it’s about molding them into responsible citizens and creating a team culture that extends beyond the gym. Who wouldn’t want to play for this guy?!

Operations

Standing alongside Coach Richey are two trusted allies, Assistant Coaches Katherine Frisby and Kim Coleman. Their camaraderie is marked by continuity, with Coach Coleman, a friend and mentor since Coach Richey was 8 years old, providing the grounded perspective needed in the coaching realm.

Let’s unveil the inner workings of a Division 3 coaching staff. If you don’t tip your hat off to them by the end of this, you are a schmuck. While larger programs deolegate between an average of 10 coaches (Director of X, Operations, Assistant to the X, etc), Coach Richey, Coach Frisby, and Coach Coleman handle everything from game strategy to travel logistics. It’s not a leisurely stroll; it’s a full-court press of responsibilities.

The coaching staff does every single one of their campus tours to give the players being recruited their personal touch. Sure, you would think that’s common, but that’s really not the case. Oftentimes, players and their families are placed with one of the tour guides in the Admin building in the building next door. This is the Oglethorpe way, the Oglethorpe difference.

So…What is an Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels?

I asked the same thing.

ANSWER: A seabird in Savannah, Georgia

Here are few fun facts about Oglethorpe:

• If the name itself didn't tip you off, the school is like a mini Hogwarts with stunning architecture.

• They recently hired their first female president in school history, Kathryn McClymond. The United States of America can’t even say that. Sounds like a big deal to me.

• D3 schools usually don't jet set around too often, especially not by air, and certainly not overseas. But that ain’t Oglethorpe! The team has recently been going to Costa Rica in an effort to ensure that their players feel well taken care of and fully supported.

• The women’s program and the men’s program are treated equally. There’s no joke coming, that’s the honest truth and I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. The equity is real, the budget is equal, with a 100% match for both programs. Wrap your head around that. While other teams are scrapping for a measly 5% budget increase, Oglethorpe is putting its money where its mouth is. What's up, Title IX?

Achievements

The 2017-2018 season marked a profound turning point for the Stormy Petrels. They clinched tournament titles and earned a coveted spot in the NCAA tournament, a feat not seen since 2009. This team represented Coach Richey's inaugural recruiting class, a group of juniors at the time who embodied the essence of building a program over time. Richey, launching his coaching career in 2014, saw his seeds blossom into fruition just three years later. 3 YEARS LATER! 🤯 

As fans, we often expect immediate success when a new coach steps onto campus. What we unfortunately don’t witness are the marathon nights and early mornings spent deciphering how the roster clicks, strategizing against tomorrow’s adversary, ensuring academic triumphs, all while accumulating as many wins as possible. It demands complete buy in—from players and coaching staff to administration and the community. So, witnessing this program hit milestones in a mere three years? I repeat, no small feat!

But how did the team get there?

Coach Richey reflects on the team’s resources from his coaching inception to the present day, describing it as night and day. “When you achieve success, it certainly makes it easier to go into that office and ask for the things that would help execute your program. When you have good kids, it makes it easy to market them to the community and the rest of the school, student body, and alumni."

Coach Richey drove home a key lesson: success isn't rushed; it's crafted. You need a sprinkle of patience to build, secure buy-in, and navigate the demanding 40-minute clashes on game days, accumulating victories one after another.

Final Thoughts

You’re not going to find too many Oglethorpe’s out there in the world, especially not one with an Alex Richey. This guy is as genuine as they come. He cares about his players and coaches like their his own family, he’s quick to give credit where it’s due, and he’s propelling women’s college basketball to new heights. The world needs more Coach Richey’s!

If I can leave you with one thing, I hope you can now spell the word Oglethorpe.

If I can leave you with two things, don’t sleep on these D3 schools! If you’re in the Atlanta area, check out one of Oglethorpe’s upcoming games and tell Coach Richey we sent you!

While I might not be a D3 aficionado, you might be hard pressed finding another program that holds flame to Oglethorpe.

👉️ Oglethorpe WBB schedule

👉️ Oglethorpe WBB roster

👉️ Oglethorpe WBB Twitter

👉️ Oglethorpe WBB Instagram

NEWS
👂️This Week’s Locker Room Drama

What’s been going on in the world of women’s college basketball recently? We’ve got you covered.

• Everyone’s favorite basketball account has just been exposed as being run by a teenager! @WBBWorldWide has officially retired as she enters into her 20s. Basketball players can now wear numbers greater than 5 on their jerseys. Thank god. I’ve been waiting for a #69 to appear (X)

• Utah’s Gianna Kneepkens broke several bones in her foot against BYU and will miss the rest of the season (Sports Illustrated)

• Southern Miss guard, Joye Lee-McNelis, has final round of chemotherapy and then gets an upset win over Ole Miss (Hattiesburg American)

• Oh ya, we’ve re-branded. We’re BETWEEN COURTS now! (Follow us on Instagram)

MEDIA
🤳Video of The Week

Players from USC and Colorado Are Honest About Basketball Stereotypes

@ariivory

Some things are just universal 🏀 @USC Women’s Basketball @OhioStateWBB @cubuffswbb @LSUwbkb relatable. #uscwbb #coloradowbb #lsuwbb #osuwb... See more

GAMES
💥Spotlight Games This Week

#23 Gonzaga v Cal Berkeley

• Thursday 12/7

• 10:00 PM EST on Pac-12 Networks

#13 Kansas State v Missouri

• Saturday 12/9

• 6:00 PM EST on News Press Now

#2 UCLA v #20 Florida State

• Sunday 12/10

• 12:00 PM EST on ESPN 2

#12 Ohio State v #25 Penn State

• Sunday 12/10

• 1:00 PM EST on Big 10+

#1 South Carolina v #11 Utah

• Sunday12/10

• 2:30 PM EST on ESPN

#17 UConn v #24 UNC

• Sunday 12/10

• 5:00 PM EST on ESPN