June 13, 2007

     NEW BRITAIN - There were two commonly held beliefs among those who gathered in front of Detrick Gymnasium to see Beryl Piper be introduced as Central's new women's basketball coach.
     First, building the winning tradition Piper is used to at New Britain won't be an easy task. The second theory was that, if anyone can do it, it's Piper.
     The main reason everyone in the building thought Piper was the right choice is because of her commitment. Piper is a Central Hall of Famer, and said during her introductory press conference that she had "dreamed" of taking this job. Therefore, it's unlikely that another school could steal her away easily, no matter how much success she has at Detrick Gym. Piper is also committed to doing the best possible job she can in any endeavor she takes on. Her first stint as a Blue Devil proved that.
     "When I came here as an athlete, coach (Brenda) Reilly said to me, 'if you prove yourself as a player, we'll give you a scholarship. So I came without a scholarship, worked really hard, earned a scholarship and proved myself. I almost feel like this is a similar type of situation. I'm sure there are some people who question whether a high school coach can come in here and come into the Division I level and be successful. I think the same kind of work ethic I put in as a player, I have to put in as a coach."
     The greatest work ethic for a college coach is required on the recruiting trail. That's something Piper hasn't had to worry about, although she has helped develop the program that now systematically churns out great players in New Britain. Someone who is uniquely qualified to discuss Piper's transition to college is one of her former stars. Stephanie Ryba played for Piper at New Britain, then starred in college at NYU. She understands Piper, as well as what she's about to go through.
     "She's very knowledgeable about basketball," Ryba said. "Just from what I've seen after going to college, I think one of the hardest things for her to do will be going into the recruiting aspect. In high school you don't really have to do a lot of that because you get the players you get. I think she can handle any kind of player she gets because she can coach anyone, but I think recruiting is a big part of it; but I think she'll be fine. I think if she can get a great support staff around her, she'll have a lot of success."
     Piper knows she'll have to get a staff with knowledge of the ins and outs of college basketball, and that she'll have to learn the recruiting ropes quickly. But she also thinks that having been on the other side of the recruiting wars will help her down the line. "Obviously, going out and recruiting is the key. Hiring a staff and getting people who have experience and good contacts and that type of stuff will be really important," she said. "I think the experience I've had and the contacts I've made with high school coaches in general, people know me. I think as a high school coach, if you know someone, you're not afraid to pick up the phone and tell a coach about a player. They feel comfortable with me because they know who I am. That's an advantage I won't lose."
     Who else coaches with Piper could also prove critical. How quickly she learns some of her new responsibilities will play a big part in just how fast the program gets off and running. But two things are already clear. First, there are a lot of people who believe in Beryl Piper. Secondly, she's shown for years that she's willing to work hard enough to make believers out of everyone else.