by By Dan Ninham (Oneida)
“Coral Gillette has been a welcome transfer back to UMary,” said Rick Neumann, head women’s basketball coach at University of Mary (ND). “She’s a quiet girl by nature but when she needs to say something she will. Coral encourages her teammates and is genuinely happy for their successes. Coral is very active with our Mini-Marauders program and is always a favorite counselor at our camps. Coral and her family are well known and well respected in our local Native American community.”
Coral Gillette is a 6’0, junior shooting guard for the 11-6 NCAA DII University of Mary Marauders. She averages 10.4 points, 2.8 assists, and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Coral is from Bismarck, ND and she is a part of the Three Affiliated Tribes and Standing Rock Sioux. Mom is Jodi Archambault from the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and dad is Rusty Gillette from MHA Nation.
“The seven core values of the Lakota people are something I strive for in my everyday life not just as a student athlete, but as a human being,” said Coral. “These include, praying, respect, compassion, wisdom, humility, generosity, and honesty. Being a student-athlete is not easy but staying grounded and true to these is what will make this experience memorable and worth it.”
“The biggest influence in my life as an athlete would be my dad,” said Coral. “I grew up watching him and still watch him play to this day. He’s shaped so much of who I am as an athlete today whether that be post game talks, or workouts he has always been there to give advice and help improve my game. He makes it a point that no matter what happens to keep your head. You can never change what has happened, but you can always learn from it and improve upon it.”
“Another person that has helped me as an athlete is my college coach Rick Neumann,” said Coral. “He is there to praise when I do well and has faith in me when I am not doing so well. Confidence is very important as a player and Coach Neumann will always instill this in my teammates and myself,” said Coral. “It is always a good feeling to know that your coach has faith in you and your game.”
“I come from a very long line of basketball players,” said Coral. “My dad played at the University of Mary and became a Hall of Famer, and my uncle Chuck Archambault played at the University of Mary. I have numerous cousins and uncles who have played at a high level in basketball, so it’s always just been in my blood. I’ve grown up around it and it’s always been something that I’ve loved.”
Jodi talked about her basketball family: “Coral’s uncle is Chuck Archambault, my brother. Russell Archambault is also her uncle as he is my cousin. Before I was Coral’s mother, I played basketball at Dartmouth College in the 1988-89 season. My sister Sunshine played at the University of Pennsylvania. “I made the High School All-State Tournament team my junior year and all Region junior and senior years.”
“Coral was named MVP for the Virginia 6th grade girls in the DMV area. She played for the Nike Elite 16U Fairfax Stars who placed 2nd in the Nike AAU national tournament. While at Bismarck High, Coral broke one of Chuck Archambault’s records, most three-point shots in a season.”
“Chuck lived with me while he attended college at Bismarck State College and the University of Mary. I worked with Chuck on shooting drills since he was in grade school. Coral was witness to those sessions because she was born into working at the skills of basketball in our family.”
“It is important as a student athlete that you understand what it takes,” said Coral. “Being a student athlete is hard no matter where you go. Putting yourself in a situation where you are away from home, taking college level courses, and getting adjusted to the level of play can take some time. It takes strength and sacrifice that sometimes people don’t prepare you for. It is not meant to be easy, but it is also one of the most rewarding things you will do in your life. It gives you so much experience in preparing yourself to be successful in the real world that you do not even realize.”
“Having the opportunity to be a student-athlete is something that cannot be taken for granted. When you are going through a tough time and don’t want to continue, think of those that do not have the opportunities and life that you do. It can be difficult but remember what it is preparing you for and how lucky you are to be in that position,” added Coral.
Photo Credit: Kali Askvig
