Michigan State University Athletics
Former Spartan Pickrel Keeps the Spartans Strong
12/17/2020 2:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Big Ten women's basketball season was never guaranteed, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as of now, Michigan State is going strong.
This uncertainty has made training more difficult than any of the women's basketball players expected. But even with all the unpredicted challenges, one person never failed to lift their spirits: Annalise Pickrel, the team's strength and conditioning coach.
"Every day we come into the weight room, she has great energy. We could be having a bad day, and she comes over and picks us up," said sophomore guard Alyza Winston.
She has deep roots in the MSU program, entering her second year as a coach, coming after her career playing forward for the Spartans 2010-14. She is also a native of Grand Rapids, and was one of the Michigan's top prep basketball players.
Following her college basketball career, Pickrel played for the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. But after playing professionally, Pickrel wanted a career change.
"I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I would journal every day, and that's when I realized what I wanted to do," said Pickrel.
Pickrel wanted to positively impact people's lives, and she found coaching to be the path.
With the support of MSU head coach Suzy Merchant, Pickrel took on the position of strength and conditioning coach with the Spartans in summer 2019.
"The first year when I jumped in, the players already knew what they were doing. It was more me checking in on them seeing what's going on, if there is anything I could do to help them," said Pickrel.
The players were excited by Pickrel's addition to their coaching staff.
"It really helps that she is a woman strength coach. She understands the ins and outs of women's basketball and knows what it's like to be our shoes," said MSU sophomore guard Julia Ayrault.
Pickrel's time working directly with the players has been limited, because of COVID. The pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 season on March 11, during the Big Ten tournament. Then all athletes were asked to leave campus with no timetable for return.
That meant players weren't able to meet with coaches, including Pickrel. This caused difficulties because, in normal years, Pickrel does most of the players' strength training over the summer.
The players were unable to return to campus until June 15, giving a late start on training. Because they had no guarantee of a season, the players lacked motivation during training.
"They were training, but they didn't know what their purpose was," said Pickrel.
COVID regulations necessitated the players grouping in pods of six, and they weren't allowed to see anyone outside of their group.
"Smaller groups were nice; I could focus more on each player, but that comes with an energy deficit. I would just try to make each workout as fun as possible, but also focusing on the fundamentals that they needed to learn," said Pickrel.
The players slowly started building back the strength they lost after a long quarantine with Pickrel's help. However, the strength they gained under Pickrel's direction wasn't the most important thing she taught them.
"She taught me that there is always another gear, not just in basketball, but in life," said Ayrault. "When you feel that you are giving it your all, there is always a little more you can give. If that means running a little faster or working a bit harder on homework or relationships, you can always give a little more."
This uncertainty has made training more difficult than any of the women's basketball players expected. But even with all the unpredicted challenges, one person never failed to lift their spirits: Annalise Pickrel, the team's strength and conditioning coach.
"Every day we come into the weight room, she has great energy. We could be having a bad day, and she comes over and picks us up," said sophomore guard Alyza Winston.
She has deep roots in the MSU program, entering her second year as a coach, coming after her career playing forward for the Spartans 2010-14. She is also a native of Grand Rapids, and was one of the Michigan's top prep basketball players.
Following her college basketball career, Pickrel played for the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia. But after playing professionally, Pickrel wanted a career change.
"I didn't really know what I wanted to do, but I would journal every day, and that's when I realized what I wanted to do," said Pickrel.
Pickrel wanted to positively impact people's lives, and she found coaching to be the path.
With the support of MSU head coach Suzy Merchant, Pickrel took on the position of strength and conditioning coach with the Spartans in summer 2019.
"The first year when I jumped in, the players already knew what they were doing. It was more me checking in on them seeing what's going on, if there is anything I could do to help them," said Pickrel.
The players were excited by Pickrel's addition to their coaching staff.
"It really helps that she is a woman strength coach. She understands the ins and outs of women's basketball and knows what it's like to be our shoes," said MSU sophomore guard Julia Ayrault.
Pickrel's time working directly with the players has been limited, because of COVID. The pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 season on March 11, during the Big Ten tournament. Then all athletes were asked to leave campus with no timetable for return.
That meant players weren't able to meet with coaches, including Pickrel. This caused difficulties because, in normal years, Pickrel does most of the players' strength training over the summer.
The players were unable to return to campus until June 15, giving a late start on training. Because they had no guarantee of a season, the players lacked motivation during training.
"They were training, but they didn't know what their purpose was," said Pickrel.
COVID regulations necessitated the players grouping in pods of six, and they weren't allowed to see anyone outside of their group.
"Smaller groups were nice; I could focus more on each player, but that comes with an energy deficit. I would just try to make each workout as fun as possible, but also focusing on the fundamentals that they needed to learn," said Pickrel.
The players slowly started building back the strength they lost after a long quarantine with Pickrel's help. However, the strength they gained under Pickrel's direction wasn't the most important thing she taught them.
"She taught me that there is always another gear, not just in basketball, but in life," said Ayrault. "When you feel that you are giving it your all, there is always a little more you can give. If that means running a little faster or working a bit harder on homework or relationships, you can always give a little more."
Players Mentioned
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