Today's post is written by Jayme Callahan (class of 2002):
I am currently the recruiting coordinator for the Southeast Missouri State University Women's Basketball program. I have been here for two years, heading into my third season with the program. Prior to being here at SEMO, I was the Head Women's Basketball coach at Webster University, a Division III institution in St. Louis for two seasons. I am sure you all remember watching my team take a beating for the Lady Lions at the "think pink" night in 2007. It was interesting, but it was great to be back, glad it was for a bigger cause! Before taking over at Webster, I coached at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), a Division II institution, for one season. To start my coaching off I was a high school head coach at Putnam County (Unionville, MO), home of the midgets, yes...that's right, our mascot was the midgets! It was a great 
community out in the country, which i was not used to. After that year, I returned to my alma mater to help two rival schools merge into one, Trinity High School. During my coaching stints at Trinity High and UMSL, I was also an exercise specialist at Barnes Jewish Hospital for three years, (so, YES...Dr. Hobbs, I did use my degree!!). As you can see I have been all over the place chasing my dream, and believe it or not, ALL in Missouri. I have coached High School, DI, DII, and DIII all in Missouri...that's crazy!
I would not be where I am today, or who I am, if not for Missouri Southern Women's Basketball. Not only did I make amazing friends, and belong to an amazing family, but I walked out of that institution a much better person than when I walked in. As most of you know, I started my journey at Southern under Amy Townsend (head coach prior to Coach Mitts). She was a great person and I learned a lot of life lessons from her. I was very sad when the coaching change happened; I was very close to Coach Townsend. Little did I know that my career mentors were coming in to take over the program. Coach Mitts and Coach Hubbard have helped guide me into the coach that I am today. They taught me discipline, dedication, work ethic, and most importantly, character. I still call
them to this day, just to catch up and to ask questions about my profession. They are both my mentors and my friends. I absolutely love to coach, and I chose to do it because of the one year I spent with Coach Mitts and Coach Hubbard. They showed me their PASSION and EXCITEMENT for life and basketball and it rubbed off on me. I now strive to pass that same flame on to my players. Some of my best memories were at Missouri Southern (both on and off the court) mainly because of the amazing teammates that I had the privilege to play and grow with. I miss them all very much. We had some crazy fun times!!! If we could throw our jerseeys back on and play today, I would not hesitate one bit! Thanks to EVERYONE at Missouri Southern: the school, Health Promotions department, Athletic Department, FANS (we have GREAT fans!), MY TEAMMATES AND COACHING STAFF, and everyone that helped during my time at Southern. You have all touched my life and I am forever a Lady Lion!
Until next time...It's a GREAT day to be a LION!!
Jayme Callahan
Class of 2002
community out in the country, which i was not used to. After that year, I returned to my alma mater to help two rival schools merge into one, Trinity High School. During my coaching stints at Trinity High and UMSL, I was also an exercise specialist at Barnes Jewish Hospital for three years, (so, YES...Dr. Hobbs, I did use my degree!!). As you can see I have been all over the place chasing my dream, and believe it or not, ALL in Missouri. I have coached High School, DI, DII, and DIII all in Missouri...that's crazy!I would not be where I am today, or who I am, if not for Missouri Southern Women's Basketball. Not only did I make amazing friends, and belong to an amazing family, but I walked out of that institution a much better person than when I walked in. As most of you know, I started my journey at Southern under Amy Townsend (head coach prior to Coach Mitts). She was a great person and I learned a lot of life lessons from her. I was very sad when the coaching change happened; I was very close to Coach Townsend. Little did I know that my career mentors were coming in to take over the program. Coach Mitts and Coach Hubbard have helped guide me into the coach that I am today. They taught me discipline, dedication, work ethic, and most importantly, character. I still call
them to this day, just to catch up and to ask questions about my profession. They are both my mentors and my friends. I absolutely love to coach, and I chose to do it because of the one year I spent with Coach Mitts and Coach Hubbard. They showed me their PASSION and EXCITEMENT for life and basketball and it rubbed off on me. I now strive to pass that same flame on to my players. Some of my best memories were at Missouri Southern (both on and off the court) mainly because of the amazing teammates that I had the privilege to play and grow with. I miss them all very much. We had some crazy fun times!!! If we could throw our jerseeys back on and play today, I would not hesitate one bit! Thanks to EVERYONE at Missouri Southern: the school, Health Promotions department, Athletic Department, FANS (we have GREAT fans!), MY TEAMMATES AND COACHING STAFF, and everyone that helped during my time at Southern. You have all touched my life and I am forever a Lady Lion!Until next time...It's a GREAT day to be a LION!!
Jayme Callahan
Class of 2002
