Support Staff Profile: Jen How

We've exhausted our player profiles...now on to the support staff!  First up is Jen How, our mission staff member for the Canada Games.  We'll start seeing Jen more now that our season is approaching, she's been working hard behind the scenes all winter with the rest of the Team Toba mission staff to make sure things are under control while we're in Sherbrooke.

Who is your #1 favorite coach (present or past) and what do you love about them?

My favorite coach is Tom Kendall. I worked for him at the University of Winnipeg as a manager.  He taught me so much about the game of basketball. Beyond that he taught me how to get the most out of people, team work, commitment, living up to your expectations and so much more.  The things that he taught me have helped me to achieve success in so many aspects of my professional and personal life.

What do you do for a living? 
Teacher at Westgate Mennonite Collegiate in Winnipeg.

What position did you play as a player (in any sport)?

Way back when I played softball I was a pitcher and left fielder (until grade 9). I played more basketball than anything and there I was forward. 

As a player, what was one of the best highlights of your career? 
I wasn't a decorated athlete, my most exciting highlights in sport come from working with U of W Women's Basketball team. The team won 88 straight games, 3 CIS Championships and was recently inducted in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame.

Besides watching Team Toba destroy the competition at the Canada Games, what are you most excited for while in Sherbrooke this summer? 
Supporting the teams that I am there to work with and helping them be the most successful.

What is your favorite quote? 

“When you choose to be a competitor, you choose to be  a survivor. When you choose to compete, you make the conscious decision to find out what real limits are, not just what you think they are. Competition trains you take the risks and to endure setbacks. By embracing it, you can enhance your life. But it will also pull you through those painful, frightening everyday battles we all have to face at one time or another."

Pat Summit - most wins in NCAA basketball (men or women)

Where did you attend college or university?  What did you study? 
University of Winnipeg, I have a BEd (History and Phys Ed) and BA in History.

What is your favorite food?  
Pizza

What is your favorite tv show?  
Mike & Molly

What has been one of the highlights of your life so far?
Marrying my husband Jason in 2007.

What's the most amazing place that you've traveled to?  
New York City for so much to do and see and Paris, France for the history.

Have you been to any other Canada Games and in what capacity?
Went to 1995 Western Canada Summer Games as assistant coach - women's basketball, the team won a silver medal.

What do you like to do on your spare time?  
Read, bake, cycle, travel, go to museums, spend time with family.