Across Kansas, girls step onto fields, courts and tracks with confidence, determination and big dreams.

Today we celebrate the incredible women athletes who have helped shape the sports landscape in Kansas and beyond.

Women in sports next on Inspire.

Inspire is sponsored by the Raymond C and Marguerite Gibson Foundation and by the estate of Ray and Anne Goldsmith.

Hello and welcome to Inspire.

It's great to be here with my lovely co-host Danielle Norwood and Lesley Fleuranges, and so glad you're here.

From small town gyms to national stages, Kansas women have proven that talent and perseverance know no boundaries.

Sports has the power to build confidence, leadership and resilience.

And Kansas women's athletes demonstrate that every day.

So what does it take for a small town Kansas girl to become a four time Hall of Fame award winning basketball player and icon?

Let's ask Jackie Stiles herself.

I am honored to welcome our special guest, former NBA player and college basketball coach Jackie Stiles, to inspire and Jackie, thank you for joining us.

Thank you guys.

Thank you so much for that incredibly nice introduction.

You really are making me blush.

You guys more often.

Well, we certainly will be your cheer squad any time.

Any time.

So tell us, how does a girl from the small town of Claflin, Kansas.

What was your childhood like?

How did you have hoop dreams and how did you make them a reality?

Because it's amazing.

A lot of the people that watch us are for smaller communities.

They have kids and grandkids who are playing and thinking, you know, maybe someday that could be me.

How did you make all of that happen?

Well, I actually told my second grade teacher I was going to play professional basketball one day, and that was before the WNBA even existed.

And you could really go overseas as a female athlete in the US.

But the WNBA wasn't around yet.

But I just had that vision that basketball was what I wanted to be good at from a very young age.

I mean, it helped that my dad was a basketball coach.

He coached the varsity boys, and I would fall into the gym like, you know, he was coaching and practicing and he would show me a fundamental.

And I couldn't wait to show him that I could master it.

So I just knew from a very young age that basketball was what, you know, I wanted to be good at.

But of course, my second grade teacher looked at me like I was nuts.

That, you know, I wanted to play professional basketball.

You know, being from a town of 600 people.

But I was very fortunate to have incredible sport.

The only way you can accomplish something truly special is to have amazing people surrounding you and sacrificing and supporting you so you can live out your dreams.

And I was very fortunate to have that from a young age.

So what is your favorite memory about being a star basketball player?

Even as young as high school or college?

Oh gosh.

Well, probably my favorite moment in my basketball career was when we did what most people thought was an impossible dream, and that was make a Final Four at Southwest Missouri State is now called Missouri State.

But we were able to make a Final Four in my senior year.

And in 2001.

And to tell you how hard that is, it's been I'm really dating myself right now, but, we just had our 25th anniversary of that Final Four team, and in 25 years, there's not been a women's team.

And, you know, make it a Final Four on the, you know, because we're a mid-major.

So there's not been another mid-major school make it to a Final 4 in 25 years.

So it was extremely difficult what we did.

But what was so special about our team is we are truly unselfish and we played for each other, and we were able to accomplish so much more than just, you know, really talented teams like we be the number one seed seed team and Duke and every player on that team was an All-American.

But we just truly had great chemistry behind our roles and were unselfish.

And we could do what was, you know, what most people thought was impossible.

But your skill level, that came with a lot of hard work and dedication.

Tell us about those thousand shots.

Yeah.

So it was there's a little story behind that.

But, it was my sophomore year, third game of the season, and I went up for a reverse layup and I broke my right wrist.

I thought my role was coming to an end.

I had to sit out four weeks, and then they put a soft cast on my arm, but I still couldn't bend it.

I was like all the way past my elbow.

So in the four weeks I was out, I taught myself how to play left handed.

So I played left handed with the cast for four weeks, got the cast off right before playoffs, and my whole dream in high school was I wanted to win a state championship more than anything.

And here we are semis, a state tournament.

We win this game, we'll play for a championship and come out of that class.

My shot was a little inconsistent and I had one of the worst games of my career.

I was four out of 21 shots and we only lost by a couple points.

And I just was, you know, devastated.

So disappointed.

So like I let my team down.

And from that moment I said I want to be even better than before this injury.

And I vowed to make a thousand shots every day.

And I made 1000 shots from my sophomore year in high school till my freshman year in college.

And then my college coach helped me come up with more of a quality over quantity workouts, like, you're not going to have any legs and handle a Division one travel schedule and your academics.

So but if it wasn't for that adversity, you know, I don't know if I'd be where I entered right now, you know, and it's not if you face adversity, it's when.

And you know, you can either let that adversity destroy you or you can let it drive you, you know, to be better and, you know, to make something positive out of it.

And, you know, one of my favorite quotes is adversity is a university.

Take notes because you can learn so much when you go through adversity.

And you know, when you overcome those tough times, you know, it just shows you what you're capable of and you become stronger because of it.

How did you get that relentless drive?

Was it something that was just basically from childhood up from your family structure, or is it something that you developed on your own?

Well, you know, internally, my goal was and I never really told people this, but I wanted to be the best player to ever play the game.

I know that sounds crazy, but that was my internal goal and I was like, well, other players take days off, I don't want to, and I just really didn't want to have any regret.

Plus, I'm just also competitive and I've always wondered, was I just born with that or what?

But I just I cannot stand losing.

So that drove a lot of, you know, of my drive as well.

But also and I tell people this all the time, the only way you can truly accomplish something special is having a reason bigger than yourself.

And a lot of people don't know this, but I lost my nine month old sister when I was 12 years old, and at that moment I said, I am going to dedicate, you know, every thing I accomplish to honor her.

And so that's why I was able to stay in the gym a little bit longer.

Because, you know, she was my inspiration, you know, to really make something of myself.

And so, that was part of the drive as well.

Well, that's that's incredible.

I didn't know that.

So tell us now with that incredible drive and your competitiveness, how is it being a coach, and are the kids today anywhere near as competitive as you?

Well, there definitely are a few kids as well.

And I am now not a college coach anymore, but I still coach.

I had actually ran 40 camps, all over Missouri and Kansas one day, a little clinics, and I like to go into small towns because I remember having to drive hours to get to anything.

And so a lot of times the small kids, you know, small town kids, they don't get things to come to them.

And so I love to come into smaller communities and run these little one day clinics.

And it's just really, been great, you know, because I, I know my story is relatable.

Like, if you look at me, you know, other players can say, you know what?

If she did, I can.

I mean, I'm only five eight.

I'm from a town of 600 people, so they can definitely relate to my story.

And so that's been really fun for me to pass along.

You know what I learned?

And hopefully help them, you know, be the best that they can be.

And you're always a giving person who made sure that everybody who waited for an autograph got one.

One of our people who works here at KTWU, you signed a basketball for her daughter and they have a picture of it.

The guys will show it here, but that is so incredible.

And contrast that to people comparing you to Pistol Pete Maravich I love that.

Get into that, will you?

Well, I absolutely love Pistol Pete.

I read his books just the way he thought about the game and the way he worked.

I just saw myself in him.

I was nowhere near his talent, but, you know, I just.

I really idolized him and his story, and I could, you know, try to get highlights of him there wasn't a lot I would read all of his books, but I loved his work ethic and his love and passion for the game.

So, he was definitely somebody I idolized.

And, you know, Michael Jordan was one of those as well.

I wanted to be like, Mike, you know, like everybody.

But, you know, those were some of the people I really looked up to in the basketball world.

We've got so much more to ask you because we have to talk about Pat now from Tennessee.

So hang on, hang on.

As sports can be transformational for all girls and women, building confidence, discipline and lifelong leadership skills.

When we come back, we're going to continue our discussion and find out what advice Jackie would give to young Kansans who aspire to follow a similar path.

Don't go away.

She's one of the most electrifying players in college basketball history, and she started right here in Kansas.

We're back with our special guest 4 Time, Basketball Hall of Fame player and college coach Jackie Stiles, right here on inspire.

Yay!

Okay, so you started before the WNBA was even an inkling of an idea.

Now it's all that and a bag of chips, and we have all these different stars.

What do you think about that?

I think it's incredible, you know, that female athletes now have the opportunity to dream about playing professional basketball.

And it's extremely popular.

Popular?

I mean, it is just blown up.

And I'm so happy now that, you know, female athletes have the opportunity and to potentially even make more money to really make a good living.

You know, I one of my clients, I used to do basketball lessons and, you know, they thought I was a millionaire.

I'm like, well, I played in the WNBA and I was a fourth pick and I went in at 55,000.

And so I think things have changed a lot since, you know, I played in the WNBA about 20 years ago, and I'm really happy for these young women that get to experience these opportunities.

But it took a long time for them to get beyond something like 55,000.

No, I mean, it wasn't it wasn't a few years ago.

It's it's taken a long time, hasn't it?

Yeah, it sure has.

But you know, hopefully we're there now.

And I know, Caitlin Clark, you know, really increased the popularity of the women's game.

And she definitely should be celebrated.

I like to say this.

I she, was interviewed in the article, a national article, and she asked who was the first ever recruit recruit you.

And it was actually Southwest Missouri state.

Missouri state.

Now, because I used to go in middle school gyms and I saw her and I had no idea, you know, she was going to end up being the player she was, but you could tell she was going to be something special.

And I wrote her a letter, you know, when she was in middle school, because that's how Missouri State got me.

They saw me playing my very first AU game when I was 12 years old, wrote me a letter, got me to come to camp, and I knew the power of that.

And so unfortunately, I didn't get to coach Caitlin Clark at my alma mater, Missouri State.

But it isn't so fun to watch her and how, you know, she has really, you know, made the popularity of the women's game something special because of, you know, her talent and your coach.

But I know that you also stand on the shoulders of the likes of Pat Summitt.

So please explain that and how your dad got involved with your career and all that with Pat.

Oh yeah.

Well, she is a class act.

As for sure, Coach Summit.

And, this story just exemplifies the person that she was.

So they had offered me a scholarship, you know, my senior year and actually went down to camp there.

And this is the summer of my senior year in high school before, you know, I was going to have to make the decision where I was going to play college basketball.

And, I played USA basketball that summer as well.

And I knew several All-Americans in my position were already committed to Tennessee.

Tamika Randall, Tamika Catchings is commit all Americans.

And, you know, I just felt like there wasn't enough, you know, basketballs to go around for all of us.

And so I actually told Tennessee No pretty early in the recruiting process.

And because someone had told my dad, she's like, you know, if we can help her, if I can help her in any way, you know, in her journey making this decision, please reach out.

And so I was really struggling when I had narrowed to four schools.

It was Missouri State, UConn, Kansas State and Oklahoma, and I was just struggling.

And my dad, you know, trying to help me make a decision.

So he reaches out to Coach Summitt and says, hey, you know, how can I help and make the decision?

And she says, have her sign the letter of intent, have her sleep on it, you know, and if it feels right, you know, have her send it in the next day and so I signed the letter of intent to play UConn.

I slept on it.

And I just knew in my heart it wasn't where, you know, I wanted to go.

And, you know, I looking back the reason decision was so hard because I had so much pressure to stay in was Kansas State or to go to UConn.

People thought I was nuts to turn down that opportunity.

And what I would say Southwest Missouri State, they just couldn't understand why I'd ever consider going there.

But I knew they played in a Final Four.

I knew my parents could be a part of my college experience.

It was only a six hour drive from Kansas, and so I just felt like that was the right place for me.

I was able to have the courage to say, you know what?

This is where I want to go.

Even though it was a sad day when I signed I to sign quietly.

But man, being a lady bear was some of the best four years of my life and I was glad I, you know, really was able to make the decision that I thought my heart was at best for me.

So we are in the middle of March Madness, are actually getting ready to start up march madness.

Tell me your perspective, because one of the things that I love, but also drives me crazy, is that kids don't really commit to a particular university as long as they used to.

Back in the day, you'd start as a freshman and actually be there through your senior year.

So the rivalries were epic, and now it's like, okay, who is the highest bidder?

Tell me some of the good things about NIL and tell me some of the challenges that you see for women.

Well, it's just yeah, it's it's definitely really sad.

Some of the, the rule changes and how it's changed.

College basketball, it's almost professional basketball.

I'm to be honest, that's one of the big reasons I'm out of college coaching.

And I just I run the clinics and I also have a business, a private personal training gym called Next Gen Fitness here in Springfield because I have a passion for fitness as well.

But it's just very sad, some of the changes.

And, you know, I think that the NIL is okay if they can find a way to control it.

And what makes it really hard was the name, image, likeness.

And and you can transfer with no penalty.

So you basically have these other universities, you know, bribing these kids with, you know, certain amount of dollars to change to their school and there's no penalty.

So I think it's at least if they had to sit out for a year before they could be eligible to play, I mean, that would help.

But even in professional basketball, there's rules, you know, and so it's just gotten out of control.

And yeah, it's definitely sad to see, you know, no, four year players.

I mean, you know, in our final 14, my senior year, there was five of us seniors and we were all together for four years, and none of us wanted our careers.

And it was so special.

And now you just don't see that.

So it's definitely sad.

Some of the changes in the game for sure.

So tell us a little bit about the clinics that you do.

They sound really inspiring and such a great idea.

I don't know anyone who else, anyone else who does that.

But I think that's so important.

Especially, you know, as funds get cut for art and sports and things like that.

I think what you're doing is just incredible.

Well, thank you so much.

I, I just realized I was very selfish in the first half of my career.

All I thought about was, how can I be the best basketball player I could possibly become?

And now I'm the second half of my career.

It's more about significance over success.

How can I align my gifts, you know, to help the most amount of people?

So many people sacrificed so I can live out my dreams.

And now I want to help, you know, others, you know, be the best version of themselves.

And you know, one way I know I can do that because my story is relatable is through basketball.

And, you know, these kids see that, hey, I'm from a small town.

I blend in my camps.

I mean, no one has ever said to me, you must play professional basketball.

I have never heard that.

Like, I literally look like a camper when I'm taking pictures with them.

So I'm not really tall.

And so I just say that, you know, my story says no way.

If you believe in it and you're willing to work because you can make yourself into anything you earn the right to be, even if you don't really fit the mold.

And I just feel like I could pass that inspiration on to the youth that, hey, it is possible if you believe, if you're willing to work and then, you know, you invest in those around you.

I mean, it takes a lot of people, you know, doing, you know, being great to accomplish something special.

And I always say, don't strive to be better than others.

Strive to be better for others because, you know, you have to be a great teammate because all of your your whole team's got to really, participate at a high levels, accomplish something special like we did, you know, in the final four.

So, hopefully I can pass along some of those lessons in camps.

Well, perseverance.

Definitely.

All the injuries you dealt with, problems with your eye, and then you're still maintaining and you're doing.

You went to cycling and now pickleball and all this, and, you know, you can't you can't stop yourself.

Yeah.

No.

Definitely not.

I, I don't have any moderation in anything I do, you know, I used to make $1,000 a day.

Now I average 30,000 steps a day, you know, on my Garmin watch.

So.

And that's, ahead of 99.9% of users.

I'm like, well, here's beating me.

See, there's that can happen.

And now I play pickleball.

And I was a little I was rusty there for a time because, I did get diagnosed with a rare cancer.

And I've lost most of my vision in my left eye.

So there was a period where I was trying to adjust to, you know, my depth perception.

And I've looked very unathletic on the quick walk court.

But I'm so glad I persevered through those adjustments.

And now I can play.

I'll never be like a pro or anything, but I can at least compete.

And I just love to compete at things.

So, that just, I don't know, so far so hard for me to do.

And, and then also have my personal training business here in Springfield.

And, it's really been fun.

I just have such a passion for fitness and to transform lives through that love of fitness.

It's just been really exciting for me as well.

Well, Jackie, what a privilege it's been for us to be able to have a conversation with you today.

How can we stay in contact with you?

Yes, if I can help any one of your viewers or listeners, please contact me at Jackiestiles.com.

And if you can't do that, I'll go right to my email.

So I'd love to help anybody if I have the chance, because I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for so many.

That helped me.

So I that's truly what I'm passionate about is helping others be the best version of themselves.

Well, I know that you're inspiring a lot of Kansas youth and a lot of us adults too, who are looking to go back to our original dreams and know that we can still do it, even in our later ages.

It's still attainable.

So I thank you so much for being with us today.

Yes, it could have been a track star too.

You could have been a track star.

I mean, you know.

Oh goodness.

Just impressed with how - we love you.

We love you.

I don't know about that, but just know that the only regret, the things you don't do, not the things you do.

So don't be scared.

Trying something new.

You can learn by doing so.

Just go for it.

Thank you.

That's a great way to leave the conversation and we're going to be back in just a few moments with a few closing thoughts.

So please stay with us.

Ladies, we have had the most wonderful chat with Jackie Stiles about the impact women are making in sports.

But there's a much larger message about passion, resilience, and believing in yourself that we can all use.

So what are some of your takeaways?

I know you were impressed with having second grade.

She knew what she wanted to do and it didn't even exist.

Yeah, like who does that?

Like, I was just impressed by that period and the fact that she actually accomplished it, it came to be.

And she's right.

You know, if we put in the work, if you believe there's nothing you can't do.

And she is a perfect example of that.

Oh, I just loved it.

And then the fact that she used to have her dad and or siblings, rebound for her while she was doing those thousand shots, you know, and she said, oh, that she look back at some VHS tape because there was a documentary about her, and she looked back at it and she thought, oh, her sister had to be so bored, but yet she still did it.

And I think that was one of the reasons.

She said she's still trying to do things now to give back, because so many people did so much for her while she was growing up.

And we know how it is when you're growing up in a small town, everybody helps you.

Exactly.

I just felt inspired, like at age 53.

Not that I thought it was all over because I didn't.

But just to go back to those original dreams that you have and reignite the fire, you know, I mean, a lot of times we think we're so into the day after day the humdrum of our work and and our families and everything that we have to do, that we forget that there's passions that lie deep within us, that are probably our original callings.

And why not go after those things?

Because what she said at the end, like, you know, you're going to miss out on the things that you don't do and that just lit a fire under me.

So I just I got inspired from that.

And I hope that other viewers get inspired by that too, that we don't have to just stay in our humdrum, you know, every day we could actually venture out and if we fail, try something else.

At least try something.

Exactly.

And I, you know, and I love what she's doing with children.

I mean, it's so important.

I mean, you know, sports and the arts.

As I said, they're just trying to get rid of some of those in the schools.

And that's what kids need today.

And they need to be competitive, have that drive, that passion for something, even if it's not sports.

By doing sports and having those thoughts, you can decide, hey, I want to excel in, you know, coding of computers.

I want to excel in being a graphic artist.

I want to be a cinematographer.

I mean, these are things that are so important to have dreams and to believe in yourself.

That is key.

I think, for our youth today to believe in yourself and having someone like Jackie and others and parents pushing you to do what you want, I think is so important, and to believe in yourself every importance.

Oh, just real quick.

The importance of a team, you know, whether it's a sports team or theater, you just came off of the Academy Awards.

You know, you need a group of people to surround you sometimes to push you just to love on you.

I mean, all of that's important.

Very well.

And I was trying to think there was somebody in here that I. Oh gosh.

And encourage somebody.

And I don't find it in my notes right now and I know we have to go, but, but we but she had encouraged this young lady to beat her all time scoring record.

Now talk about unselfish.

That's somebody you're encouraging somebody another person to beat your record I love that I do too.

Me too.

Fantastic.

Well, unfortunately that's all the time we have today.

But we want to thank the inspirational Jackie Stiles again for joining us on Inspire.

And as a reminder, you can watch this program again at watch.ktwu.org and if you are so inspired to learn more about our guest, find out what's coming up on future shows and get access to additional content.

Be sure to visit us at our website, which is KTWU.ORG/INSPIRE women, inspiring greatness and following your dreams inspiring new.

We hope on KTWU and we thank you for watching.

Inspire is sponsored by the Raymond C and Marguerite Gibson Foundation and by the estate of Ray and Anne Goldsmith.