2008 Woodie Awards
OC finds a perfect fit
Brian Olson
Issue date:
2/27/08
Section:
Sports
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He may, on occasion, show disgust or bark at the referees from his spot in front of the bench, but after all, he is the head coach of the Olympic College women's basketball team. And that game-time intensity, along with his passion for the sport and a genuine interest in seeing his players grow, show why Felker belongs on the hardwood.
"The biggest draw is the interaction with young people," Felker says of his job. "Helping them grow, and not just as basketball players, but helping them grow as young adults, and to see them go through the process, and make decisions on the court and in their lives."
Basketball has been a big part of the young coach's life for close to 20 years. As a child, Felker enjoyed playing a variety of sports, but it was basketball that captured his interest beyond the rest.
Through organized play in peewee leagues and pickup games in the driveway with his older brother, Felker's love for hoops grew, and by the time he reached high school he was really starting to shine.
At Enumclaw High School, Felker stood out as a First Team All-South Puget Sound League (North) basketball selection in his junior and senior seasons. That success grabbed the attention of then-coach and current OC Athletic Director Barry Janusch, and led to Felker becoming a two-year starter with the Rangers and captain in his sophomore season.
As a junior and senior in college, Felker played for Central Washington University, where he helped lead his team to the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championship once, along with two NCAA Division II national tournament berths.
Two years after graduating from CWU, Felker found an assistant coaching position alongside friend and former Ranger teammate Billy Landram, who had recently become the new head coach of the OC men's basketball team.
After four years with the men, Felker switched over this season to lead the Lady Rangers' staff. Despite some trying times and obstacles for the rookie coach, such as injuries that have left the squad shorthanded, Felker says he is enjoying his experience so far.
"I've always liked the idea of [coaching], and now I'm actually doing it and it's fun," says Felker. "It's always challenging, and I just like the interaction with the young adults. That part's probably the best part of it."
Besides coaching the ladies, Felker keeps plenty on his plate by teaching, scouting and recruiting, and running basketball camps. Throughout the year, he teaches physical education courses at OC. During the summer, he will be helping run the Total Package youth basketball camp, which helps young players hone their skills and allows them to participate in tournaments all over the country. Additionally, Felker and his fellow coaches are constantly keeping an eye out for local players to fill next year's roster.
All the aspects of the work that Coach Felker does - teaching, working with young people, playing and passing on his knowledge of basketball - seem to suit him well.
"I really like where I'm at," says Felker. "I think the best way to approach [coaching] is to take it year by year and just focus on the present and do the best you can in the situation you're in."
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