Wauconda girls basketball coach comes prepared with multi-sport background

WAUCONDA – While covering Wauconda girls basketball games, the opposing coach always mentions how well prepared the Bulldogs are and how tough they are to beat because of the leadership of Jaime Dennis. Lake County Suburban Life Contributor Tim Sieck sat down with Dennis this week to learn more about her passion for the sport.

Sieck: What is your athletic background?

Dennis: I started playing sports when I was five by playing soccer and participating in gymnastics. In middle school and high school, I focused on volleyball, basketball and track. In college, I played lacrosse. I've always been involved in athletics and have taught just about every sport at the park district level. I have coached high school volleyball for seven years, basketball for 14 years, and track 15 years.

Sieck: What is your favorite thing about coaching?

Dennis: I enjoy working with young people and seeing them strive and achieve in a variety of situations.

Sieck: What do you feel is the toughest thing about coaching?  

Dennis: The unpredictability of teenage girls.

Sieck: What has changed most in your sport since you played?

Dennis: The pace has picked up and it's more of a physical game.

Sieck: How do you define a successful season?  

Dennis: A successful season is one in which we reach our team goals and I can see the team improve and gel throughout the season.

Sieck: Who have been your coaching mentors and how have they helped you?

Dennis: My high school basketball coach, Gary Rajkowski, is a big influence. I still talk basketball with him to this day. I had some great coaches in high school (Chuck Neary, Al Wilhoit and Don Giebel) that I had the pleasure of coaching with when I first started out. They taught me many important things. I also had a great college experience working with Theresa Grentz and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign women's basketball team. For a whole season, I was able to observe her style of coaching. In addition, I have read a lot of books about many great coaches and I always pick up something from each one.

Sieck: What do you like to do when you are away from coaching and the classroom?

Dennis: I usually do something that involves sports and my family. I am a big fan of the outdoors and love being active outside.

Sieck: What is the best part about coaching at Wauconda?  

Dennis: Being a product of the Wauconda School system myself, there's a lot of pride in helping students have some success on the athletic arena. Sports were a great experience for me in high school and I hope I can only provide that same opportunity for others.