Off the court with assistant coach Kyle Rechlicz
June 27, 2011 | Women's Basketball
June 27, 2011
MADISON, Wis. - Check off returning to Madison to coach the Badgers from the bucket list of former Badger Kyle (Black) Rechlicz. Next up is aiding Wisconsin to a Big Ten Conference championship.
Read all about what this "family-first" coach, including the fact that she gave herself a nickname as well how she met her husband.
Full Name: Kyle Black Rechlicz
Nickname(s): Rechs / Ky
How did you get your nickname? My married last name can be difficult for people to pronounce so people just chopped it and started calling me Rechs. Former players have called me K-Rechs (like T-Rex) at times when I get intense…I guess we all have a little dinosaur in us sometimes. As far as Ky, it is actually a joke in our office right now because I gave the nickname to myself. How many people make up their own nickname? Ha ha! Everyone on staff is trying to use it but Bobbie and Jill still laugh hysterically every time they try or hear it.
Birthdate: March 4
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Family members: My mom and best friend is Anne Black. My husband Dave, who was a practice player for our team when I played at UW, and I have a daughter Payton (6). Dave’s parents are Ginny and Rick Rechlicz. My brother Lauren is 34 and he is married to Carissa. I also have three other sisters-in-law – Sara Rechlicz, Katie Turtenwald and Tricia Rechlicz and two brothers-in-law – Chris Rechlicz and Dan Turtenwald.
Family members who competed in college or professional athletics: None
Hobbies/Interests: I love doing crafts with my six year old daughter, Payton. Everything from painting on canvas to mosaic art! I am also getting into triathlons. It is my hope to be able to complete an Iron Man in the future.
Do you do any volunteer activities? Getting out in the community is one of my favorite things to do. My favorite in the past has been hanging out and mentoring people with special needs. We ran a fan club and hosted free clinics for a large group at Dayton. The experience is something I will never forget.
Why did you decide to coach at the University of Wisconsin? It was my dream to come back and coach here one day. However, I wanted to make sure it was going to be the right situation and that I believed in the head coach’s philosophy for the program. I have no question in my mind that Bobbie Kelsey is the person to elevate my alma mater to the top of the Big Ten Conference and I was thrilled that she asked me to be a part of it all.
Favorites - Movies: Good Will Hunting and Pretty Woman; TV Shows: Modern Family, Glee, and anything that is considered reality TV!; Book: The Shack by William Paul Young; Cars: Lotus Elise, Audi Q5 , or a Cadillac SRX (not driving any of these yet); Athletes: Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (those were the days); Basketball Players: Barb Franke and Katie Voigt (both were Badgers who paved the way here at UW); Sports teams: Badgers (of course), Packers, Indiana Fever, and Boston Red Sox
Most memorable basketball game: My senior year at home as a Badger when we played Minnesota in front of a sellout crowd.
The people who have influenced me most in basketball are: Bruce Farley (my assistant high school gasketball coach), Chuck Boehlke (my head high school basketball coach), Pat McKee (my Indiana’s Finest AAU coach), and Jane Albright (my college coach here at UW)
Dream as a coach: To come back and coach at UW and to one day win a National Championship!
How would you describe your coaching style? I love to teach and I believe that games are won in practice not during the 40 minutes on the clock. Most players that I have coached in the past would describe me as dedicated and passionate about making them better. I push them to their limits and get on them when needed but I am also the first one praising them when they get it right.
Before each game, I: Review my scout and say a little prayer for both teams
One word that describes me: Humble
My friends say I am: Blunt, honest, and caring
Most memorable basketball achievement: Getting my scholarship to play at the University of Wisconsin.
The best thing about the Kohl Center is: How loud it can get!
The best thing about Madison is: The diversity of people and their beliefs
If I wasn’t a coach, I’ve always dreamed of being: a zookeeper … I love animals!
Person most admired/role model: My mom, Anne Black. She raised my brother and me by herself from before I was one, worked three jobs at times, never missed a sporting event, and never once did I hear her complain. That is sheer determination to make the best of a situation.
My most prized possession is: My family
I can’t live without: My cat Maggie (who I adopted from the Madison Humane Society when I was a sophomore in college)
My secret addiction is: SHOPPING (especially for shoes and bags)
Weird thing about me that almost no one knows: I talk to my office pet fish “Oh Ha Ha” on a daily basis
If I could guest star in a TV show it would be? Amazing Race
If I could be a cover of a magazine it would be? Elle
You won’t catch me eating: Eel
Nobody knows how much I love to: Dance (well some people do but not everyone)
Greatest Invention of the last 100 years: Skype
If I could live any place in the world, it would be: Toulouse, France or Cinque Terre in Italy
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world: on an African Safari
If I could live in any time period, it would be: The 80s … I loved their sense of style!
A non-athletic talent I have is: doing the “Funky Chicken”
If I could meet three people from throughout history they would be: Jesus, John Lennon, and Jackie Kennedy
If I had a million dollars: I would pay off any debt my mom has, any debt that my family has, invest, learn to sail, buy a sailboat, cruise around the world, and donate to my church and charities
If you could have any talent: it would be to be able to sing and play the guitar
Most famous person I’ve ever met: Really good question…hmm…Rick Rechlicz
If I could have one superpower, it would be: to read people’s minds
At this moment my dream date would be: a surprise vacation to a beach resort
What are you most thankful for? My God-given abilities
What are you passionate about? Leading a successful life and always being supportive of my family, friends, and the young women I coach.
My favorite websites are: UWBadgers.com, People.com, ESPN.com and Google.com
If I could change one basketball rule, it would be: when a jump ball occurs, you actually have a tip off for it. It’s kind of a selfish rule because as a small guard, I never got to attempt tip to start the game!
My favorite quote or motto is: "It is amazing how much can be accomplished if no one cares who gets the credit." – John Wooden
My worst habit: Biting my nails but I am currently working on breaking it!
My bucket list includes: Win a Big Ten Championship with Wisconsin, take my mom on a vacation to Italy, become a Division 1 head women’s basketball coach, go on an African Safari with my husband Dave, attend my daughter Payton’s college graduation, and much, much more!
