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PODCAST: Angel Elderkin’s remarkable story, coaching through cancer

By Howard Megdal

March 11, 2015 - Appalachian State forward Maryah Sydnor (24) and Appalachian State head coach Angel Elderkin during the game between Arkansas State and Appalachian State at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA. Arkansas State defeated Appalachian State 67-52. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
March 11, 2015 - Appalachian State forward Maryah Sydnor (24) and Appalachian State head coach Angel Elderkin during the game between Arkansas State and Appalachian State at Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, LA. Arkansas State defeated Appalachian State 67-52. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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Appalachian State head coach Angel Elderkin has managed to see it all and do it all in the sport of basketball already, even though she was born just over 40 years ago.

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Elderkin starred for Division III Southern Maine, she coached under legends like Tennessee’s Pat Summitt and Virginia’s Debbie Ryan, she’s assisted programs like LSU and St. John’s, picking things up along the way that have served her well as she continues the process of creating the culture for success with the Mountaineers, her first head job and a dream destination for her before the job ever opened up, she explained.

Moreover, the remarkable Elderkin never stopped coaching, even after receiving a diagnosis of endometrial cancer, only going public once she started losing her hair during the treatment.

Elderkin shared her stories with us, from what it meant to her to fight through the illness to get those “two hours a day” coaching to the impact it had on her life ever since.

Truly, the amount of basketball conversation we packed into this half-hour is amazing. A discussion of Candace Parker’s legacy and what makes her great (Elderkin was video coordinator for Parker’s Tennessee teams), even the process Summitt undertook to be sure she and her staff were properly prepared for anyone on their schedule, large or small, and why Elderkin found herself falling in love with the game of basketball amid a soccer-crazed community in East Providence, RI all are discussed.

Don’t forget, either: if you value these longform discussions with the important voices in women’s basketball, be sure to download, rate and review our podcasts.

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