I had the chance to sit down with Bethany LeSueur this week prior to her being
honored by Garden City High School with the retirement of her basketball jersey, number 23, on
Saturday.
When you were growing up was
basketball your favorite sport? What else did you play competitively?
Growing
up I played many different sports. Most of my love of sports grew out of
competition between my family and friends who lived on Huntington Road in Garden
City. We played every sport possible (soccer, basketball, football,
baseball, etc.). I also loved to swim for the Garden City swim team. In
the fourth grade, I had my first organized basketball experience playing for the
St. Josephs CYO program. From that point on, basketball was my passion!
Having a twin brother that was a
good athlete, did that push you even harder? There must have been some tough
‘games’ in the back yard – any special memories?
Growing
up as one of the four LeSueur kids was the best! I look back on my
childhood today and realize how special it was. I was raised in a loving
family where you had to be tough and be able to compete in order to be heard.
Our backyard did not have flowers or bushes, we had dirt and athletic
equipment. It was like a mini Olympic village. The lessons I
learned from family battles in the backyard helped me develop tremendously as
an athlete.
Did having a father that
played professional sports drive you and your siblings?
Both
my mom and dad were unique athletes. My dad was a professional soccer
player and my mom was a swimmer. Athletics were a part of our everyday
life and it never was forced upon us. My father was a man who could coach
you in any sport and he was always able to help us get to the next level.
What most people do not realize is that it was my MOM who was the real
force behind our competitive drive. My mom is one of the most driven and
competitive athletes I have ever met.
When did you decide to concentrate
on basketball as "your" sport?
Basketball
was my love. I never had to choose. Basketball was my passion.
What would you tell a young girl
who excels in multiple sports? When should she look to narrow it down?
The
youth sports world is so dynamic today. I would encourage kids to play as
many sports as possible as young children. In order to succeed, you have
to LOVE to play the sport you choose. I would tell a young kid to play
the sport they love, do not just play a sport for a scholarship.
If you could have a ticket to any
game, any sport, what would you go see?
I
never saw my dad compete at the college or professional level. I would
love to have seen my dad play and compete at that level.
What are the top memories you have
of your high school career?
My
friends who were the best teammates! My coaches who were unbelievable
coaches and people. Coach Dell'Olio was the greatest! He was such a
tough guy on the outside but all of the girls on the basketball team always
thought of him as a father.
Who was your basketball role model?
Of
course, I loved to watch Michael Jordan play basketball.
What’s your favorite memory of
Garden City High School?
As an
adult looking back, you realize that only a few times in your life you get to
compete for something that really means anything. The experience of
competing as one of the many great Garden City Trojans is priceless.
Competing myself, watching my brothers, sister and friends compete in
championship games across multiple sports. That is what being a Garden
City Trojan is all about!
A Conversation with Bethany LeSueur
Bethany LeSueur to be honored by Garden City High School, the TMA and friends of GC Basketball.
Bethany LeSueur in her soon to be retired #23 jersey.
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Elle May 18, 2013 at 08:02 pm
They should it out of the school budget for salary increases and entitlements
Carisa Giardino (Editor) May 16, 2013 at 02:01 pm
The boys will take on Seaford in game two of a best-of-three Nassau County Class A quarterfinal…Read More series. Game is at Seaford High School at 4:30 p.m.
Jaime Sumersille (Editor) May 11, 2013 at 04:42 pm
Thanks John Franklin for posting this info about the memorial.
Jaime Sumersille, Regional Editor…Read More
Nassau County