Tuesday, November 19, 2013 | TeahNews Person you should know: Usha Gilmore Ioannas Joseph TECHNEWS WRITER It is not every day that HT is graced by the presence of a once professional athlete who has a stout resume of accomplishments. Usha Gilmore, a graduate from Rutgers University, has played under legendary head coach C. Vivian Stringer, and is a former third— round pick of the Indiana Fever of the WNBA in 2000 during their inaugural season. Gilmore semingly wears many hats within IIT’s Athletics Department. Gilmore serves as the Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Senior Women’s Administrator (SWA) and the Assistant Intramural Director. Gilmore’s duties include overseeing the women’s basketball program and all its deliverables including budgeting, recruitment and the on the court game plan, all female athletics programs, and exploring new avenue to provide an alternative athletic outlet to IIT’s population. Prior to IIT, Gilmore served as the Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at many institutions such as Southern Illinois University, Southern Polytechnic State University, and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Gilmore played as a point guard for the Indiana Fever and humbly stated that playing in the WNBA was never her dream. “I’ve always wanted to become a coach and after one year of professional basketball, I said it’s time for me to become a coach.” Appreciative of the opportunity, Gilmore stated that it “opened many doors,” and taught her many intangibles which could then be translated to her coaching profession. Gilmore credits her experience at IIT from this past January as being extremely rewarding although a bit challenging having : the responsibility of reviving the basketball program as well as transitioning from Division I (from U of I) to Division III. “Their work ethic in the classroom relays on the court; they are very enthusiastic and eager to get this basketball program going” said Gilmore on her current roster. Her most eye opening experience at IIT from a technical standpoint was seeing the (Ml. olooooooo-OOOOOID n O C I o. . e c X-cube solved by its inventor, Dane Christianson, a current IIT student. As we all know, IIT athletics is in its provisional stage in its transition to NCAA, Division III. Gilmore is extremely gratified to be part of this experience for IIT athletics, and she is excited by her players who show their dedication and enthusiasm to push women’s basketball forward. Gilmore also credits IIT’s Athletics Director, Enzley Mitchell IV for his leadership throughout the process of transition. As a member of the Indiana Fever, Gilmore represented the team at over 25 speaking engagements within the community to promote health and education. This attitude of community activism has definitely translated to IIT to further strengthen the already existing relationship between IIT’s Athletics Department and St. James Parish Pantry. The women’s basketball team will be taking part in a toothpaste drive during their first home game of the season on November 19 in partnership with the parish. “I am a firm believer that if you give back to the community, the community will come support you,” commented Gilmore on their current work in the Bronzeville and Bridgeport communities. One program that Gilmore stated will be part of HTS future is basketball camps for both men and women’s basketball. These camps will be of both an elite and training type. Gilmore is deeply appreciative of her mentors, C. Vivian Stringer as well as Iolette Law, both of whom she played for and coached alongside (Law at U of 1.) Although a WNBA player, Gilmore states that she stopped following the NBA as intensely when Michael Jordan left in 2003. She is however an avid football fan and is a huge fan of the Washington Redskins and RG3. “Continue to speak positive things in existence and it will happen, if you say you can’t then you won’t; if you say you can, you almost and always will,” was Gilmore’s advice to students. With the women’s basketball team hosting their first home game on Tuesday November 19, Gilmore is urging IIT’s community to come out to support and should carry a tube of toothpaste to contribute to their toothpaste drive. G RZZK —-'oi the-— WEEK Meet ephan Johnson. There‘s no use crying over every mistake, youjust keep on trying until you run out of cake. ” Year: Third Major: Computer Science Greek Affiliation: Delta Tau Delta Hornetnwn: Oswego, IL Leadership Positions at IIT: Union Board VP of Impact, Orientation Leader, Delta Tau Delta Social Chair, OTS Support Desk Worker Hobbies: Video games, game design, Pokemon, event planning, eating Why did you go Greek at IIT? ' I joined Delta Tau Delta in my second year at IIT for many reasons. I joined because I was looking for honest and deep relationships with people on campus, and because the values the Delts hold parallel my own. I joined because my closest friends are a part of Greek Life at IIT, and for the opportunities that joining a fraternity provides. How has Greek life developed you as a person and a leader? Since I joined, I have grown as a team member, and as a person who speaks for himself. I have grown as a role model for the IIT community in the wayI try to live the values of being a Delt. I also have gained valuable points of view from my fellow brothers. What would be your advice for an incoming student? Try out all the opportunities that IIT offers. Greek life, student organizations, and events should all be taken advantage of by students. What has been one ofyour biggest challenges at IIT? . Some of my favorite moments have been as an Orientation Leader over the summer, playing Psychiatrist or Mafia with new students. I love the enthusiasm that new classes bring each year. I also have some great memories at various Union Board events like Spring Formal, Six Flags, and many many small events! Where do you see yourself in five years? Part of a computer company as a Software Developer, while I design my own indie games on the side. Questions? Emséi 0rderotomegaiit@gmaii.com f7 ORDER OF OMEGA ' ' ' SENATEEJR " snowman What exempted yen ioin seas: I joined SGA after I saw all the positive changes that students were able to bring on campus by being proactive. Which presents have ynu wnrkedlworking (351?: I hope to work on renovating the ARC as well as making the course evaluations templates more effective. What aspect of the university experience are you most passionate ennui improving? I want to improve the academic experiences because everyone has a common goal in pursuing a higher education. (3002 fact about you?: The Chicago weather and winter is one of my favorite things about this city. Contact: lhou1@hawk.iit.edu