Baked or Fried? Legendary Volleyball Coach Betty Lange Answers the Tough Questions
We take a look at legendary Newman Catholic Volleyball Coach Betty Lange, with our world-famous interview: Is it Baked or Fried? Take an inside look at what makes Lange ´tick´ …
OnFocus: What sports did you play in high school?
Lange: Volleyball, Basketball, Track
OnFocus: How do amateur sports benefit students, parents, and the community?
Lange: Students: teaches greater personal confidence, self-control and self-esteem. Life skills like goal-setting, time management and leadership. Resilience and perseverance when learning to bounce back. Opportunity to make friends, have FUN, learn teamwork and how to play fair.
Parents: Greater family attachment with more frequent interactions. Parents are an important part in the development of kids’ athletic ability, life skills and ability to cope with winning and losing.
Community: Develop deeper connections and strong social bonds. A place for sharing and having a feeling of belonging to the community. Sports help build stronger, healthier, happier and SAFER communities.
OnFocus: How have you been involved in sports in your adult life?
Lange: Playing…softball and volleyball
Coaching youth…volleyball and basketball
On different Board of Directors…currently for WI Ice VBC and earlier with Badger Region Volleyball
OnFocus: What do you enjoy about your involvement in athletics?
Lange: It’s very exciting but also a challenge working with all the athletes I coach. It’s very fun to help them reach their potential and their personal and team goals every season. It’s very special to me to be part of each athlete’s journey, through the ups and downs that playing sports can throw at you. But also teaching them about the mental strength and the intangibles that outside of talent help in their success on and off the court. I feel very honored to have this opportunity to coach such awesome female athletes and having the support from family and school is incredible.
OnFocus: If there could only be one concession food in the world, what would you want it to be?
Lange: Tater Tots
OnFocus: What would you do with the money if you won 10 millions dollars in the lottery?
Lange: Build a local volleyball facility. Give some to all my family members and close friends. Donate to continued efforts for cure of Metastatic Breast Cancer.
OnFocus: Is there something most people don’t know about you?
Lange: I live and work in Abbotsford, went to school in Abbotsford, played volleyball and went to state my senior year. Have three daughters that all are state champions in volleyball during their time in high school. We all played college volleyball.
OnFocus: What job did you want when you were growing up?
Lange: Teacher, Coach, Mother
OnFocus: What do you most enjoy watching on television?
Lange: Volleyball of course and Bing watching popular Series
OnFocus: How do amateur sports benefit students, parents, and the community?
Lange: See answers above…
OnFocus: Who was an influential coach that has made a difference in your life?
Lange: Just reading about Coach John Wooden and all his life experiences while he was a coach and his coaching philosophy made a difference for me. His unique teaching method he called the Pyramid of Success used in coaching and life. His meaningful impact he made on so many players.
From high school it was my track coach when I was a senior, Jill Renz, she helped me find the confidence I needed to enjoy and have a successful senior track season.
OnFocus: How do you unwind and enjoy your free time?
Lange: Having a lazy “pajama” day. Morning coffee, time outside, visiting with family.
OnFocus: What would be an appropriate Super Hero nickname for you, and what would your powers be?
Lange: Not sure what the “Super Hero” name is but my powers would be to be able to hand out confidence to female athletes I coach and help them see in themselves the potential I see in them.
OnFocus: Who are your favorite athletes?
Lange: Misty May-Treanor, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams,
OnFocus: Who is your role model(s)?
Lange: Mary Wise – Head Coach Florida Gators
OnFocus: Baked or Fried? If you could pick only one, which would it be?
Lange: Baked
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Author: David Keech
David Keech is a retired teacher and works as a sportswriter, sports official and as an educational consultant. He has reported on amateur sports since 2011, known as 'KeechDaVoice.' David can be reached at [email protected]
