2008 Woodie Awards
Coach, former skater to leave Miami
Dan Kukla
Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Sports
One of the challenges for Paige was transitioning between being a skater and a coach. She personally knew most of the skaters on the team as her former teammates when she took the coaching position, putting her in a unique situation that most coaches never encounter.
"I had skated with most of the team members from prior year," Johnson. "I wanted to come in and garner their respect and have to the confidence to go in even as a young coach and have them take me seriously."
While the transition was certainly a challenge, it also served to give her an advantage as well. Paige had just finished four years skating for the team and was very familiar with her skater's point of view.
"What makes her so great is the fact that she was a skater here for four years," Johnson said. "She really knows what we're going through and she knows where we like to cut corners too."
Sophomore Ashley Korn, the daughter of head coach Vicki Korn, has known Paige since she was 12 years old. Over the years she has developed a close relationship with her that goes well beyond the ice rink.
"For us she's more than just a coach, she's kind of like our friend," Korn said. "She brought a lot to the table because she knows how our program works. She knows how we as a team function and what needs to be done within our program."
Because Paige has so many close ties to the program, it makes her departure all the more difficult, both for her and the team. Her skaters understand that this is a great opportunity for her, but will miss her all the same.
"It's hard for me to let her go but I know that it's something that she needs do to and I wish her all the best," Korn said. "It's not like she's disappearing forever."
Looking back on her time here, Paige is overwhelmed with how great of an experience it has been for her. She grew so much as a player, a coach and a person during her time with the RedHawks, making it a time of her life that is unforgettable.
"I really feel like Miami has really kind of truly shaped me as a coach in many different ways as far as leadership style and coaching style," Paige said. "It's the only place I know so it will always be that first love. It could have been one of two experiences and mine has been an absolutely positive experience. It's definitely shaped every part of my life."
"I had skated with most of the team members from prior year," Johnson. "I wanted to come in and garner their respect and have to the confidence to go in even as a young coach and have them take me seriously."
While the transition was certainly a challenge, it also served to give her an advantage as well. Paige had just finished four years skating for the team and was very familiar with her skater's point of view.
"What makes her so great is the fact that she was a skater here for four years," Johnson said. "She really knows what we're going through and she knows where we like to cut corners too."
Sophomore Ashley Korn, the daughter of head coach Vicki Korn, has known Paige since she was 12 years old. Over the years she has developed a close relationship with her that goes well beyond the ice rink.
"For us she's more than just a coach, she's kind of like our friend," Korn said. "She brought a lot to the table because she knows how our program works. She knows how we as a team function and what needs to be done within our program."
Because Paige has so many close ties to the program, it makes her departure all the more difficult, both for her and the team. Her skaters understand that this is a great opportunity for her, but will miss her all the same.
"It's hard for me to let her go but I know that it's something that she needs do to and I wish her all the best," Korn said. "It's not like she's disappearing forever."
Looking back on her time here, Paige is overwhelmed with how great of an experience it has been for her. She grew so much as a player, a coach and a person during her time with the RedHawks, making it a time of her life that is unforgettable.
"I really feel like Miami has really kind of truly shaped me as a coach in many different ways as far as leadership style and coaching style," Paige said. "It's the only place I know so it will always be that first love. It could have been one of two experiences and mine has been an absolutely positive experience. It's definitely shaped every part of my life."
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