Spring Break
Coach Anderson maintains a rich basketball tradition
Matt Foust
Issue date: 3/5/07 Section: Sports
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In 2005, former University of Missouri-Kansas City women's Head Basketball Coach Bo Overton literally came knocking on Interim Associate Head Coach Ron Anderson's door asking him to be part of his coaching staff.
Prior to accepting the position on Overton's staff, Anderson first had to make sure the move would be OK with his 14-year-old son Cody. Anderson had to consider that another move would result in Cody living in his seventh different town.
"It had to be OK with him," Anderson said.
On the trip to Kansas City, Anderson received a call from Overton. Overton invited Ron and Cody to take in a Royals game with him from the front row at Kauffman Stadium. Cody had never been to Kauffman and apparently the atmosphere helped make his decision to move north a little easier.
"I think this could be OK," Cody told his dad.
Anderson accepted the position at UMKC in July 2005, making a return to the university he helped Coach Lee Hunt transition to NCAA Division I athletics. He enjoys Kansas City and the paradox it offers as a community.
"I like the big-city feel [of Kansas City] but it also feels like a small town to me," he said. Anderson also likes working with the quality individuals on the women's team. The team's obviously strong character proved even more important when Overton departed in December to take the dual role of head coach and general manager of the WNBA's Chicago Sky. Anderson said UMKC Interim Head Coach Candace White has done a terrific job under difficult circumstances.
"Candi is doing an excellent job," Anderson said. "The girls have responded to her very well."
Anderson knows a thing or two about coaching also - it's in his blood. Anderson's father Jerry was the men's head coach at Anderson's alma mater East Central University in Ada, Okla., and his brother Mike served 14 years as an assistant to coach Billy Tubbs at Oklahoma University in Norman.
As a child, Anderson often spent time on the bench next to his father. He values those experiences and credits his father as unintentionally influencing his decision to move into the coaching profession.
Prior to accepting the position on Overton's staff, Anderson first had to make sure the move would be OK with his 14-year-old son Cody. Anderson had to consider that another move would result in Cody living in his seventh different town.
"It had to be OK with him," Anderson said.
On the trip to Kansas City, Anderson received a call from Overton. Overton invited Ron and Cody to take in a Royals game with him from the front row at Kauffman Stadium. Cody had never been to Kauffman and apparently the atmosphere helped make his decision to move north a little easier.
"I think this could be OK," Cody told his dad.
Anderson accepted the position at UMKC in July 2005, making a return to the university he helped Coach Lee Hunt transition to NCAA Division I athletics. He enjoys Kansas City and the paradox it offers as a community.
"I like the big-city feel [of Kansas City] but it also feels like a small town to me," he said. Anderson also likes working with the quality individuals on the women's team. The team's obviously strong character proved even more important when Overton departed in December to take the dual role of head coach and general manager of the WNBA's Chicago Sky. Anderson said UMKC Interim Head Coach Candace White has done a terrific job under difficult circumstances.
"Candi is doing an excellent job," Anderson said. "The girls have responded to her very well."
Anderson knows a thing or two about coaching also - it's in his blood. Anderson's father Jerry was the men's head coach at Anderson's alma mater East Central University in Ada, Okla., and his brother Mike served 14 years as an assistant to coach Billy Tubbs at Oklahoma University in Norman.
As a child, Anderson often spent time on the bench next to his father. He values those experiences and credits his father as unintentionally influencing his decision to move into the coaching profession.
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