Q &A: Juan Perez

The Lake County Leader spoke with SKC’s AD and women’s basketball coach

How did you get to SKC as the athletic director and women’s basketball coach?

I’ve been coordinating logistical things for athletics since the late 90s as a part-time worker for SKC.

In 2000, I graduated from SKC and was hired as Student Life Coordinator.

A few years later the student life department was created and my job title changed to Director of Student Life. Part of my job duties under student life has been athletics.

In 2002, Joe McDonald offered the women’s coaching position to me.

What’s your favorite part about working at SKC?

Working with the students each year and seeing them on graduation day accepting their diploma.

How did you get started in the sport of basketball?

I’ve played basketball since I was in the 5th grade.

As a teenager, we had an Indian youth center my brother Silas and I would go to almost daily.

The gentleman running it ended up coaching us in basketball and baseball. His name was Jim Metcalf and he took us under his wing and helped us learn a lot about teamwork and commitment. He was a real role model for us.

At the center we would have open gym and my brother, some friends and I would always play ball with the older guys. They started taking us to tournaments and since then I have always had the basketball bug.

Silas and I have played sports for over 35 years and it’s a big part of who we are. Silas is also one of my assistants here at SKC.

What’s your favorite moment or accomplishment while coaching at SKC?

My favorite moment is watching my players walk across the stage receiving their diploma. I feel like a proud dad sitting in the crowd.

A close second was watching my girls celebrate after winning the Tribal College National Championships.

Knowing the hours wand hard work they put in during the season and to accomplish our team goal is great. I’ve had great girls throughout my eight seasons.

As a basketball coach, what do you feel is the most important aspect of the game?

On the court would be teamwork. If they are working as a team they can’t be stopped. I had a great group this last season and they worked as a unit and it showed ending the season with 20 straight wins and our third championship in four years.

Outside of basketball, what are some activities that you like to do?

I like to sit at home and relax when I can. My wife Jody likes to do things so she keeps me busy with family and friends activities.

We have four kids and they take a lot of time outside of basketball and work. My oldest is starting to play basketball so I’ve been busy this summer with some camps for her and 3-on-3s. The others are starting to play sports too, so Jody and I are learning to juggle their sports schedules.

Are there any other sports that you enjoy either playing or watching?

I enjoy playing slow pitch softball. We have a team that plays in various tournaments.

Next season we are talking about playing league in Missoula. I also enjoying playing golf most of the time. There are usually one or two holes that make playing golf not fun.

I watch a lot of college basketball.

Do you have a favorite team that you follow or are a fan of?

I’m a fan of the UConn womens’ basketball team. I really like the effort they put forth when on the court.

What should fans look forward to next season at SKC?

I think fans should look for a more up and down game on the court. We’ve lost our big, Carla McLean, who has been the center of our offense for many years.

I’m not sure if I will have another big like her and so we’ll have to rely on quickness and fast ball movement.

I want the girls to be aggressive on defense with the hope of causing turnovers so we can run offensively.

Speed, strength and conditioning will be key for us this season.