CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – February 2025
“What I am doing now is so rewarding. Good things have come from tough times.”
By David Grossman
There’s fame. There’s success and there’s the gift of coaching.
Micaëlla Riché has achieved it all – and so much more.
But there is one thing that still a troublesome memory.
Maybe the scenario could better be described as disappointment. As a 24-year-old, Riché was riding what had been brilliance on the women’s basketball court in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). When we refer to excellence, included are her two university academic degrees – and there could be more coming with plans for a Doctorate in studies through Nipissing University.
Now, to the frustration. It’s what happened after her final year of NCAA hoops. Some would try to describe it in basketball terminology as “a bureaucratic slam dunk”.
Having completed a Master’s degree in counselling and student development at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Miss., Riché was informed that her student visa was about to expire. It meant a return to Canada.
An exuberant woman and owner of an accessible personality, Riché had been staring at a promising coaching opportunity with a top-ranked United States women’s university basketball program. Kansas State wanted her, too, as she had been on the Wildcats coaching staff for three years.
Annoyed at having to leave the USA, Riché was preparing to go play overseas. Riché was taking a chance that she didn’t take after graduating from Minnesota. She chose to hunker down, pack her bags and temporarily return home to Ottawa. Then, it was off to Greece to play basketball. Funny how things turn out. Riché said that move -would also end up becoming a huge positive career move.
“My (United States) work visa was denied,” said Riché, hearing her frustration in a telephone interview. “I studied there, played basketball there and now had a great opportunity to coach at an elite level. I was angry when I was told I had to go home. People do things, and work hard like I did, to be successful. Then, these so-called uncontrollable factors kick in.”
For Riché, her much anticipated moment had lost its central joy and emotion.
Jeffrey Gitomer, a best-selling author and lecturer on loyalty and personal development, is quoted as saying “Obstacles can’t stop you. Problems can’t stop you. Most of all, other people can’t stop you. Only you can stop you”.
Riché determined it was time to quit talking and begin focussing on tomorrow. Realizing that she had superior numbers in talent, productivity and efficiency, Riché knew hard work is what tends to overcome hard luck.
As a youngster, and athlete at Louis-Riel Secondary School in the suburban Ottawa community of Gloucester, she was an active kid, worked hard and thought about landing a sports scholarship. It was, she said, a way to earn a good education with someone else picking up the expenses.
While playing for Team Ontario in the summer of 2007, at a NIKE tournament of champions in Chicago, Riché caught the attention of recruiting scouts. That day, she claims more than 70 schools expressed interest. When it came time to make a choice, she chose the University of Minnesota over the University of Florida.
What would follow would be a degree in Kinesiology, recognition on the Dean’s List and a stellar career with the Golden Gophers that included prestigious academic honors recognition in the Big 10 – the oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference.
It was after her studies at Kansas State that Riché, a 6-foot-2 power forward, turned down an invite for a tryout with the Minnesota Lynx of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). Burned out, she went right into studies for her master’s degree and coaching at Kansas State University.
“Control the controllables,” said Riché. “Looking back, I refuse to worry about things. What I am doing now is so much better, and more rewarding, than I could have imagined. Good things have come from tough times.”
Several times, Riché – who also played on Canada’s National team – had imagined and re-imagined in her mind life moving from an athlete to a coach.
“As a coach, it’s all about getting to know your players as people first, and helping them find self-belief through sport,” said Riché, who is being recognized by the Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO) during Black History Month. “There’s lots to be said about healthy, physically active and better people. Basketball saved my life – and it can save others the way it all influenced and impacted me.”
There is a myriad of reasons why the CAO is recognizing Riché in the organization’s “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench” series. Foremost is her dedication and commitment to coaching. It’s often heard that every kid needs a coach.
In 2020, Riché was appointed Basketball Operations Manager of Lay-Up, a Toronto-based charity that is focussed on the future of access to basketball by providing cost-free neighbourhood-based programs to youth between the ages of six and 29 years old. The communities include Thorncliffe Park, Jane-Finch, Rexdale, Regent Park, Lawrence Heights, Mount Dennis and Scarborough.
“Teaching kids, many who are new to sports, about the fundamentals of the game, social interaction, life skills – I see it as a huge reward,” said Riché, who is currently a coach with the Scarborough Blues and was a national scout for North Pole Hoops.
Like all ambitious young people, there was a time when Riché had visualized a future of coaching instead of pursuing the professional basketball route. There had also been thoughts of becoming a strength and conditioning coach.
Facing challenges in her very young years, particularly living in a small Ontario town where her father was stationed with the Canadian Forces, Riché was the only visual minority and the tallest in her elementary school.
Now, as Director of Basketball Operations for Lay-Up, Riché’s teaching skills are beautifully choreographed. She has also become one of those everyday heroes – amazing, inspiring and surprising a variety of age groups.
“Our vision is to bring the best of positive youth development with the best of a high-quality basketball experience,” said Riché. Supporting others makes for sweet victories.
-END-
David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.
“As a coach, it’s all about getting to know your players as people first and helping them find self-belief through sport.“
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