Tracy Tripp got a chuckle last August during her first day as director of operations for the Colorado women’s basketball program when she realized Buffs players were not aware of her background.
Tripp still ranks eighth on Colorado’s all-time scoring list (1,574 points from 1985-89), but the younger players don’t seem much interested in sports history.
While introducing herself to CU’s Whitney Houston, Tripp asked the junior guard what part of her game needs work. Tripp had been an assistant at the University of Denver for the previous 13 years.
“Our conversation was just basic stuff, about Whitney’s game and what she wants to improve,” Tripp said. “Then Whitney said, ‘Coach, you seem to know a lot about basketball. Did you play somewhere?’ ”
With a straight face, Tripp told Houston that, yes, she played a little hoops — for Colorado.
“Wow! Dang!” said Houston.
As director of operations, Tripp, 41, is prohibited from on-the-court coaching. But she can watch practices and offer advice. “Tracy is a real asset to our staff,” CU assistant Tom McConnell said. “She has a passion for the game and she knows the game.”
Tripp enjoys helping recruit a different level of player than was possible at DU and likes promoting her alma mater.
“I still know how it felt the first time I stepped on this campus and how amazing it was,” said Tripp, a native of Fort Collins.
Tripp also can help boost the morale of a struggling team by comparing the rebuilding process with her own experiences. Under Ceal Barry, Colorado was 14-14 in Tripp’s sophomore year but reached the NCAA Tournament her junior and senior seasons.
“The situation we’re in now feels very much the same,” Tripp said. “I can express that with our current players and with recruits. We’re trying to recreate that success.”
Tripp said she would not have taken the job if she didn’t believe restoring Colorado’s winning tradition is possible.
“It’s all about recruiting,” Tripp said. “I think with the high school talent we have in this state and what we have to offer at CU, this program can be special again.”
Distinguished visitor.
Don Meyer, coach at Division II Northern State in Aberdeen, S.D., was inducted Friday into the University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame, along with his 1965-66 UNC teammates. This season, Meyer passed Bob Knight to become the winningest coach in the history of NCAA men’s college basketball. He continues to recover from a serious auto accident on Sept. 5.
The Bears (13-17, 7-8 Big Sky) have clinched a spot in the conference tournament.
Footnotes.
DU’s men’s squad outrebounded only one of its first 24 opponents but has won the board battle in three of its past four games. The other was a tie. . . . Wyoming senior guard Sean Ogirri has etched his name into the school’s record book in his only season in Laramie after transferring from Wichita State. The former Denver East star already has surpassed the single-season record for 3-pointers, formerly held by Wyoming legend Fennis Dembo. Ogirri has made 85 treys. Dembo had 78 in his best season, 1986-87.
Tom Kensler: 303-954-1280 or tkensler@
