About
Illinois Hustle was first started by Hall of Fame girls’ basketball coach Derril Kipp in the 1990s. Coach Kipp was renowned for his ability to see each player’s potential, his dedication to push those players to develop their gifts by requiring best effort at all times with no excuses, his commitment to providing opportunities for both successes and failures for his players to learn from, his sense of humor that allowed players to laugh at themselves and not take shortcomings too seriously, and his loyalty to support his players no matter their opposition, needs, financial disposition or otherwise.
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Coaches Heather Glaser, TR Tuner, Jim Beckley, and Tessa Fusilero are resolved to continue this program as Coach Kipp intended. All coaches are unpaid volunteers who recognize that development of players is crucial but the development of people is even more so. Hustle alumni come back to help continue the tradition of the program. Players and coaches support one another through high school, college, and beyond. The Hustle team program honors Coach Kipp by adding “DK” to its uniform as a symbol for what he believed in and for how Illinois Hustle continues to be run today.
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The ideal Hustle player has grit, drive, and integrity, wants to improve, recognizes the importance of position-less/self-less basketball, is coachable, is committed, and is a great teammate. Our focus is the development of both physical and mental skills. Many high school players jump to starting line-ups, All-Conference, All-Area, and/or other earned honors after working with us. The Illinois Hustle has developed many athletes, many of whom compete at the D1, D2, D3, and NAIA level and many of whom who do not desire to play in college but have used the experience to become tougher, more confident young women. Because the Hustle's focus and biggest strength is development, not recruitment, in the event an athlete has developed their skills to their greatest potential and has D1 aspirations, the Hustle coaches have relationships with "exposure programs" and will work with you to select the best fit. As coaches, our greatest joy is pushing our players to reach their potential while cultivating life-long relationships because we recognize that basketball does not last forever but the character development does. If this sounds like a good fit for you, please feel free to contact us.
