Q and A With Women's Basketball Senior Forward Sarah Tibesar

By Jaimie McFarlin
Sports Information Student Assistant
Washington University in St. Louis

How do you feel the Bears performed in this season’s non-conference games?

Sarah Tibesar: I’m proud of our performance. I think we had some growing to do at the beginning of the year, and we got that accomplished. Obviously, it would have been great if we could have done that growing and not lose any games, but I think coming into the conference season the growth is more important than the three games we lost. Learning how to go through adversity and come out on top isn’t an easy thing to teach, but it will be important for us down the line this season.

What do you think is the biggest challenge of the UAA Conference schedule?

Sarah Tibesar: The biggest challenge is that there is not a single team we can take lightly. With no opponent in the UAA that you can look past, we must prepare for two good teams every week. Also, when we get into the conference season and we know all the personnel and team tendencies it becomes a very mental game as well. It’s a challenge, and I think that’s what attracts players to the UAA, the love of a challenge.

What is the best advice you’ve received from Coach Fahey?

Sarah Tibesar: Wow, I don’t even think I can narrow it down! Coach Fahey becomes like a second mother to many of her players. I know I talk to her about all kinds of things in my personal life and I really trust the advice she gives me. Through coaching me about basketball, she has also taught me how to be a more mentally and emotionally resilient individual. As I’ve stepped into leadership situations on the team she’s taught me a lot about how to be a better leader, and I know I will take those lessons with me when I leave here.

What has been the highlight of your collegiate career so far?

Sarah Tibesar: Last year’s tournament was full of memorable moments—beating Luther College in front of a packed house in the Sweet 16, the Final Four banquet at the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., and beating NYU in the semi-final game, then going to bed so excited I could barely sleep. Also, after the championship game last year, our parents threw us a big surprise party to celebrate the end of an awesome season, and that was fun as well. Even with all of that, I think the best memories are yet to come.

How has last year’s Final Four berth affected this year’s team?

Sarah Tibesar: For those of us returning, I think it has given us a clear picture of what our goals for this year look like. We know that we want to get back to the Final Four, and we know what it feels like to get there. Our job is to do what we need to do to give ourselves a good shot at another run.

Who is the unsung hero of your team this year?

Sarah Tibesar: I think the unsung heroes of the team are the girls on our team who most of the fans haven’t heard of. The starters and the players getting minutes wouldn’t be as good as they are without the help of the rest of their teammates pushing them in practice every day and being the scout team as we prepare for games. It’s hard to do that job with a smile on your face, but I’m proud to say that my teammates do an incredible job of it.

Who is the best dressed on the team?

Sarah Tibesar: I think the best-dressed award has to go to Lauren Downing. While we all look good when we dress up to go places together, Lauren definitely has the “fashionista” role on the team. I like to play a game called “picture me in what Lauren is wearing”—it’s usually something that would look completely ridiculous on me, but she always looks fabulously put-together.

Tell us a little about your family.

Sarah Tibesar: I was born and raised in the suburbs of Minneapolis, Minn. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. I have two older brothers, both of whom played basketball and various other sports growing up. Both of my older brothers live not too far from my parents’ house. Nick played Division III college basketball and football, and now he coaches the JV basketball team at our old high school—we definitely have the passion for basketball in common. People tell me that they think I’m funny, but with my family, my brothers and I play off of each other and laugh a lot.

What do few people know about you?

Sarah Tibesar: During my first three years at Washington U., I was a part of the Greenleafs, the school’s only all-female a cappella singing group. I was the musical director for about a year and a half, and I did some arranging for the group and some writing of my own during that time. I actually used to have perfect pitch! The things I accomplished with the Greenleafs have been a big part of my college experience just like basketball has.

You have majored in mechanical engineering. Last year as an undergraduate student, you started the MBA program at the Olin Business School. How is your five-year dual-degree plan going?

Sarah Tibesar: It’s awesome, I’m really glad my education ended up taking this direction. I’m fascinated by all the engineering things I’ve learned, I love knowing how stuff works and I think it’s really made me a better problem-solver. The business school classes seem to work a completely separate part of my brain. I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity to study with people that have been out in the working world and are back in school.

What are your post-graduation plans?

Sarah Tibesar: Getting a job somewhere hopefully! I’m interested in working in the clinical field for a medical device company, but that could end up being a short-range or long-range goal. Ultimately, I want to end up in Minneapolis, because I love it there and many of my friends and family are in the area. However, I’m definitely open to living someplace else for a while in the meantime.