Heart of a Coach
December 2010


Q&A with Kristin Drabyn
College of the Holy Cross
Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach

“Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” – James 1:2-3

Kristin Drabyn is no stranger to the Division-I college basketball scene. But now, the former UMBC guard is leading from the sideline rather than the floor as a first-year assistant coach at Holy Cross. In her new role, Drabyn is learning to make friends with the bench—something that can be difficult for a former player. Despite the change of scenery, though, Coach Drabyn is remaining constant in the most important thing: her personal witness for Jesus Christ.

STV: What have you learned so far in your first year as an assistant coach?
KD: The past few years I’ve studied a lot about servant leadership, and now I’ve been able to see what that really means. We are here to help our players not only be great basketball players, but also to serve them and help them grow. A good coach doesn’t just tell a player who they are at that moment, they show their players who they can be and put them in positions to succeed and excel in what they’re good at.

STV: Where did you get your passion for basketball?
KD: M y family is very sports-oriented, and my father and older brother are both coaches. A lot of who I am is from my family. My parents did a great job of keeping sports in perspective. Sports are something we do, but they are not who we are. Having that instilled in me at a young age was very helpful.

STV: How has playing college basketball helped you in your new role as a college coach?
KD: Just two years ago I was a Division-I college athlete searching for truth. On the other side of it now as a coach, I’m able to see the players wanting to learn more and seeking out that same truth. That helps me as I mentor them. I went through the same struggles, and I can be transparent. I’m open to learning more about them and more about myself because we’re all growing daily.

John Wooden once said that it is what you learn after you know everything that counts. Every day I try to learn something new, and I hope that when I’m coaching in 50 years, I’m still learning.

STV: When did you first get involved with FCA?
KD: I fell in love with FCA when I was in eighth grade and my brother took me to the Huddle meetings. I’ve been involved ever since, and it’s been a big part of my life. I went to the past two FCA National College Conferences where I met some of my best friends. Last year, my younger sister went to the college conference, too, and I’ve been blessed to see a great transformation in her.

STV: Why do you feel FCA is important?
KD: It shows coaches and athletes there is a bigger purpose to what we are doing. It gives us a reality check and teaches us that playing for Jesus Christ is so much more rewarding. We play harder because we are playing for a purpose.

--For more stories about faith and sport, visit www.sharingthevictory.com, the official magazine of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. To subscribe to STV, click here.

Photos courtesy of the College of the Holy Cross