David Moncada is the new women’s assistant basketball coach. He comes to Hillsdale after coaching elementary, AAU, high school and college club basketball teams.
How did you come to Hillsdale?
Coach Mauk and my relationship goes back 15 years. We both coached at Eaton Rapids High School and were descendants of Willis Whitmyer’s coaching. We always talked about coaching together. I used to own a mortgage company and would come over to Hillsdale after my coaching season to help. Then I worked at Comcast for four years, but Coach Charney said she would love to have me come. These opportunities don’t come along all the time. So I quit my job and now I’m a self-employed inspector. I’m having the best time of my life right now. If you are doing what you love, you will never work a day in your life. This makes me happy. The Lord made the way for me and every door has been opened because it is supposed to be. I’m having a blast. Charney gave me the opportunity to coach here and to coach with and for a coach with her credentials is truly amazing.
What previous basketball or coaching experience do you have?
I coached at New Covenant Christian in Lansing, Great Lakes Christian College, and when my daughter was young she said, ‘You’ve coached everybody, can you coach me?’ So I coached her 3rd-5th grade team, coached her AAU, and coached Grand Rapid’s JV team. At one point I was coaching 12 months of the year for six years. I also coached varsity at Hopkins High School.
What are you most excited about going into the season?
I’m excited about the talent, but most importantly about the quality of the people in and around the program. Everybody has been top notch. From the players, to the coaches, to the people who keep the sports facilities clean, the atmosphere is just so great.
What has been your favorite thing about being a Charger so far?
The competitive spirit in each and every program. It encourages me and that’s exciting. They are students first before athletes and the women’s basketball team had such high academic achievements last year. They are not only competitive in the game but achieve in the classroom.
How would you describe the team?
They are good players, but are even better people. There is a beautiful family atmosphere and all the players are really close. It is fun to see them bond. We have six new faces on the team and the sophomores, juniors, and seniors have welcomed them with open arms.
What are your goals as assistant coach?
I want to help in any way I can to make this program even better. Whether that’s through creating individual workouts, or cheering on players from the bench. I want to do whatever they need me to do.
Who are your sports heroes?
I would say Michael Jordan because of his willingness to fight through whatever he had to in order to compete. Also John Wooden because as a coach he didn’t just teach how to win, but he taught life skills and how to be a human being. I think that’s because he was a Christian.
What is the best or most important lesson one can learn from basketball?
Playing basketball is very analogous to living life. There is a lot you can learn to become a better human being, friend, or Christian. You have the boss-employee dynamic in the coach and players. You have the sisterhood formed between the players and the family relationships that are built.
What makes Hillsdale a good place to play sports?
There is a girl on the team who transferred to Hillsdale after a year at Northern Kentucky. I asked her why she came back here and she told me, “Because this is the only place that made me feel wanted.” You can’t get a better answer than that. It says a lot about the program and the school. It’s like a family. The coaches at teams at Hillsdale want to have you here. Not just as an athlete or a student, but as a human being.
