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DEL.ICIO.USWesleyan coach’s husband also ‘steps it up’ each year
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Three days ago, Jan Azar won her 250th game as head coach at Wesleyan. She had no idea the milestone was on the horizon. But David Azar, her husband, did.
He assumes many responsibilities most coaches’ spouses do not: everything.
Keeping statistics, managing the Web site (www.wesleyanlady wolves.com), taking care of their two young children: David Azar makes it happen.
And his diligence is a significant reason Azar rates among the best coaches in Georgia, male or female. She’s able to do her job comforted by knowing the off-the-court jobs are handled by her husband.
“That’s very big,” she said.
But here’s the thing: David Azar is secure with himself as a man, so handling responsibilities once (and still, in some archaic circles) considered for women means zilch to him. And that makes him the manliest of men.
“I just don’t see the responsibility as hers only,” he said. “They are both our kids. It’s what I should do. In the summer, when basketball season is over, she assumes most of the taking to doctors, etc. So, in basketball season, I step up. And I’m happy to do it.
“I had no idea our lives would be like this when we met, but I love basketball. It’s my favorite sport.
“And my wife as coach is just a bonus.”
How’s this for a bonus? The Azars got married in 1999 during Wesleyan’s spring break. It was Jan Azar’s second year as coach. Turned out that March date in 2005 was the same as the AA state championship game in Macon.
Neither spouse recalled that it was their sixth wedding anniversary — until David Azar’s mother called to congratulate them. “We were like, ‘For what?’ he recalled. “We were so into the championship game, we didn’t even think about it.”
Of course, the Wolves took the title that day, the second of three consecutive AA championships. Add the 2002 Class A title, and that’s four crowns for Azar, who has lost just 56 games in 11 years.
Furthermore, since 2000, only once has Wesleyan not made it to the championship game (in 2003 it lost in the quarterfinals). If there is a more accomplished coach in Georgia, let him/her please step forward.
“It’s been a great, fun ride,” said Azar, who was seven months pregnant with daughter Nicole during the 2002 championship game and with Andrew during the ‘05 title tilt.
“For a while,” she cracked, “I though we might have a bunch of kids since we won championships while I was pregnant.”
No worries; she’s won titles in nonpregnant years, too. “This job is definitely more difficult for a female, who has to balance family and coaching,” Jan Azar said.
“Most husbands [of women coaches] work full-time jobs, while most men coaches — or many of them — have stay-at-home wives to handle the kids and the house.
“I’ve been blessed with a husband who helps take on some of those ‘motherly duties.’ He’s willing to do it 50-50, and it’s an incredible help.”
Still, she is not disillusioned.
Her kids come first.
“My role is that of a mom first and foremost,” she said.
Indeed, Nicole is a kindergarten student at Wesleyan, and Azar walks from her office daily and picks her up from the car pool line. Nicole attends practice with the Wolves and rides the bus to all the away games.
Saturday, in her YWCA league, she scored her first points on an 8-foot goal.
During Wesleyan games, David Azar sits with his children. Well, Nicole sits and watches and Dad often chases the active Andrew.
It’s a long way from the pre-children days, when Azar worked the Wesleyan game clock or made the pregame announcements.
“This has been great all the way around,” David Azar said. “I love the girls; they’re like our extended family.”
Added Azar: “My girls [players] many times come over and baby-sit for us. That’s a great perk for me and David.”
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By Kate
January 25, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
David Azar is also a great cheering squad, too. Sit with him during a game and you’ll know just how much he supports the Lady Wolves, from the head coach to the freshman players.