On the Court with… is a new series the athletics department is doing in order to give our coaches—most of whom do not receive much recognition—a platform in order to share their coaching philosophy, their journey into coaching, and what success means to them.
 
Point Loma: Describe your coaching philosophy. How has it changed over the years and how did you develop it?
Lisa Faulkner: I was an assistant coach for 11 seasons prior to getting the head-coaching job here at PLNU. I have been extremely fortunate to have worked and played for amazing coaches along my journey. 
 
The information I have learned from my mentors has helped me shape my head coaching philosophy. I love to give our players the freedom to be great basketball players and make decisions that best honor the team. This also translates off the court where I am passionate about players becoming the best versions of themselves in all ways! SPORTS ARE SUCH A GREAT LIFE TEACHING SKILL.
  
PL: How did you end up as the head coach of the Point Loma's women's basketball team?
LF: I played at Vanguard University and have always admired PLNU from afar.  As a coach, I have been fortunate to coach at every level from NAIA to NCAA D1 in the ACC conference. Those experiences have really made me appreciate a Christian school where class numbers are more about the person and less about the volume.
 
I have competed at national levels and I know Point Loma can as well in every way! When Coach Westphal retired and our athletic director, Ethan Hamilton, reached out to me, I knew this was the place God wanted me.
 
PL: In terms of recruiting, what are 3-5 main qualities you are looking for in a potential student-athlete and why are those important to you?
LF: Talent will always catch any coach's eye first, but when I am watching games I really look at attitude and body language. We recruit players that compete hard every possession, communicate positively with players and coaches, and are willing to do the little things that would help their team win. Those are the type of athletes who are going to excel at PLNU and win us national championships!
 
PL: Pick 2-3 coaches you look up to. Why do you look up to them and how have they made you into the coach you are today?
LF: The first coach who comes to mind is my high school coach Brad Smith.  One of his many accolades is he in the women's basketball hall of fame but beyond his accomplishments on the court he is in the business of changing lives, and isn't that what coaching is? One of the many things I learned from him is to value everyone and make it possible for each person to feel a part of something and that they are needed regardless of the amount of minutes they play.
 
The boss I worked for eight seasons, Erik Johnson, really shaped me as a coach.  As a young assistant, he always encouraged me to think like a head coach and gave me the freedom to always give my opinion. He has always been extremely positive and I learned to always see situations from a positive perspective.
 
The other influencing coach in my journey has been Russ Davis who I played for at Vanguard. He has opened so many doors for me as a coach and has always been one of my biggest supporters.  I learned from him that you can be demanding and competitive while still having a great relationship with your players.
 
PL: Sports, in general, are driven by success. What does that word mean for you? In other words, what does a successful season look like once it is over?
LF: The world measures success by wins and losses but I try to think and look beyond that. Success to me is when our players can say that we are a better version of ourselves today than we were yesterday.
 
Success is when we are able to live in the present moment. Do I want to win…yes! Sometimes, however, that is beyond our control and if we are giving maximum effort and work together than we are successful!
 
PL: How has faith impacted the way you coach the way you define success?
LF: My faith in God is what keeps me grounded and keeps me in a space of joy! It keeps me from trying to live up to worldly definitions of success. Every experience is the experience God has designed for us to have.
 
The coaching profession is dynamic and filled with character building. If I allow myself to be attached to outcomes I most certainly will be disappointed. Keeping God at the center of everything I do has helped me find peace in every challenging and joyful situation.  
 
You can catch coach Faulkner on the court again this week for a trio of games. PLNU will go to Northwest Nazarene on Wednesday, Nov. 22, before hosting Cal State Dominguez Hills and Cal State LA in the Thanksgiving Classic on Nov. 24-25.