Indiana University Athletics
The Team Behind #IUWBB: Liz Honegger
7/21/2015 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The first in a series of stories on some of the people behind-the-scenes of Indiana women's basketball. In this edition, IU's director of basketball operations Liz Honegger has always been around the game of basketball and uses her passion for the sport everyday to help the program succeed.
By: Sam Beishuizen | Twitter
IUHoosiers.com
There's no such thing as a "normal" day if you're Liz Honegger.
As the Director of Basketball Operations for Indiana women's basketball, Honegger has grown accustomed to managing a fluid work schedule. No two days are ever quite the same, keeping the Lafayette, Ind., native busy as she enters her fourth year holding the position at IU.
"A typical day? I don't think there is one," Honegger said. "Unless you just call it 'chaos.'"
More specifically, "chaos" means being involved with virtually everything excluding off-campus recruiting and on-court player instruction.
Honegger's behind-the-scenes duties range from setting up reservations at hotels and restaurants to organizing internal events like alumni days and senior banquets. She also manages the Hoosiers' community service outreach program, among other things, and sits on the bench during games alongside the coaching staff.
In short, if it involves Indiana women's basketball, Honegger was more than likely at one point behind it.
"In this role, it's all about the relationships with the athletes and the people across campus," Honegger said. "It's a fun way to stay involved with basketball, which I'm very passionate about, but also develop relationships with some great people."
Honegger's passion for basketball formed while watching her older sister Rachael play in high school and eventually at IU. Her love of the game only grew stronger during her own decorated playing career.
Born into a self-described "sports family" with parents who were both athletic coaches, Honegger was a first-team all-state selection and an Indiana All Star while playing for Lafayette Jefferson High School.
Honegger's success continued in college where she started 127 of a possible 128 games at Bowling Green en route to setting program records in both blocks and 3-pointers.
She was twice named second team All-MAC and was a two-time MAC All-Tournament Team selection. She also competed for Bowling Green's track and field team where she was a conference champion in the discus in 2004.
When her playing days were over, Honegger—like her parents did before her—got involved in coaching at the high school level before spending two years as an assistant at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
Indiana head coach Teri Moren said Honegger's wide range of basketball experiences as both a player and coach makes her a valuable resource for her to tap into.
"Part of what makes Liz so valuable to us is she's been around it all," Moren said. "She has great perspective from her time coaching because she was such a successful player that she can give nuggets to our players like, 'Hey, this worked for me in college,' and they respect that."
Moren, who said she's known "Lizzy" and her family for years, added that the level of respect and trust her players have in Honegger is obvious from their interactions.
Although Honegger said she sometimes needs to bite her tongue on the bench to refrain from coaching, the players are receptive of the advice and tips Honegger gives when she can.
"I think our kids are more apt to reach out to Liz, whether they're frustrated or whether something's happened that they don't want coach Moren to find out, and they don't know how to handle it," Moren said. "They'll reach out for advice, life lessons and anything else. That's one of the things I think Liz has matured."
Although Honegger admits her father probably wants her to return to coaching one day, she said she doesn't plan on leaving her ops position any time soon.
Honegger said she enjoys the balance between being with the players and managing the team's off-the-court schedule. Her calendar is flexible enough to allow her to spend time with family, friends and her dog Hootie while also allowing her to explore the Bloomington area.
"I'm just kind of living in the moment right now," Honegger said. "Growing up, I was an IU fan, but being here—I guess I never knew how special this place is. I guess you could say I drink the Kool-Aid because I absolutely love it here.
"I never really was like, 'Oh, I'll work at IU someday.' That was never really a thought I had. I knew I wanted to stay involved with basketball, and to be here in my home state is like a dream come true."
IUHoosiers.com
There's no such thing as a "normal" day if you're Liz Honegger.
As the Director of Basketball Operations for Indiana women's basketball, Honegger has grown accustomed to managing a fluid work schedule. No two days are ever quite the same, keeping the Lafayette, Ind., native busy as she enters her fourth year holding the position at IU.
"A typical day? I don't think there is one," Honegger said. "Unless you just call it 'chaos.'"
More specifically, "chaos" means being involved with virtually everything excluding off-campus recruiting and on-court player instruction.
Honegger's behind-the-scenes duties range from setting up reservations at hotels and restaurants to organizing internal events like alumni days and senior banquets. She also manages the Hoosiers' community service outreach program, among other things, and sits on the bench during games alongside the coaching staff.
In short, if it involves Indiana women's basketball, Honegger was more than likely at one point behind it.
"In this role, it's all about the relationships with the athletes and the people across campus," Honegger said. "It's a fun way to stay involved with basketball, which I'm very passionate about, but also develop relationships with some great people."
Honegger's passion for basketball formed while watching her older sister Rachael play in high school and eventually at IU. Her love of the game only grew stronger during her own decorated playing career.
Born into a self-described "sports family" with parents who were both athletic coaches, Honegger was a first-team all-state selection and an Indiana All Star while playing for Lafayette Jefferson High School.
Honegger's success continued in college where she started 127 of a possible 128 games at Bowling Green en route to setting program records in both blocks and 3-pointers.
She was twice named second team All-MAC and was a two-time MAC All-Tournament Team selection. She also competed for Bowling Green's track and field team where she was a conference champion in the discus in 2004.
When her playing days were over, Honegger—like her parents did before her—got involved in coaching at the high school level before spending two years as an assistant at the West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
Indiana head coach Teri Moren said Honegger's wide range of basketball experiences as both a player and coach makes her a valuable resource for her to tap into.
"Part of what makes Liz so valuable to us is she's been around it all," Moren said. "She has great perspective from her time coaching because she was such a successful player that she can give nuggets to our players like, 'Hey, this worked for me in college,' and they respect that."
Moren, who said she's known "Lizzy" and her family for years, added that the level of respect and trust her players have in Honegger is obvious from their interactions.
Although Honegger said she sometimes needs to bite her tongue on the bench to refrain from coaching, the players are receptive of the advice and tips Honegger gives when she can.
"I think our kids are more apt to reach out to Liz, whether they're frustrated or whether something's happened that they don't want coach Moren to find out, and they don't know how to handle it," Moren said. "They'll reach out for advice, life lessons and anything else. That's one of the things I think Liz has matured."
Although Honegger admits her father probably wants her to return to coaching one day, she said she doesn't plan on leaving her ops position any time soon.
Honegger said she enjoys the balance between being with the players and managing the team's off-the-court schedule. Her calendar is flexible enough to allow her to spend time with family, friends and her dog Hootie while also allowing her to explore the Bloomington area.
"I'm just kind of living in the moment right now," Honegger said. "Growing up, I was an IU fan, but being here—I guess I never knew how special this place is. I guess you could say I drink the Kool-Aid because I absolutely love it here.
"I never really was like, 'Oh, I'll work at IU someday.' That was never really a thought I had. I knew I wanted to stay involved with basketball, and to be here in my home state is like a dream come true."
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Spring Practice - Curt Cignetti Press Conference
Thursday, April 16