Holmes explained to the Chicago Tribune that, “Every girl in Iowa who was coordinated played basketball. Growing up on the farm, I occupied my free time shooting baskets at the hoop at the end of the shed. My mother died when I was 5. My sister was the indoor daughter, and I was the outdoor daughter” (Phyllis Holmes, Chicago). Since she was talented, Holmes played varsity basketball for six years, starting in junior high. Ultimately, this led her to Greenville College.
Holmes at Greenville College
Holmes began her long journey at Greenville College in 1957. She was a physical education and psychology-education major, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in both. During her time at Greenville College, Holmes played on the women’s intercollegiate basketball team for four years, participated in the Layman League for four years, was the file service secretary her junior year, sang in Messiah and with the Glee Club her freshman year, participated in intramural sports for four years, and acted as the women’s student athletic director her senior year. As women’s student athletic director, she worked to “achieve the goals of the intramural program…plan[ning] new sports and reactivating old ones,” as per the 1961 Vista.
Phyllis Holmes returned to Greenville College in 1967 not as student and player but faculty and coach. Over her career at GC, she served in a variety of roles; she was an Associate Professor of Physical Education, an Assistant to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs from 1984-85, the Director of Noncredit and Special Programming from 1984-85, and the Women’s Athletic Director. Holmes coached four sports throughout her time at Greenville College. Throughout her coaching career, Holmes coached over 35 women’s basketball teams, 25 of those being for Greenville College, around 8 women’s tennis teams, close to 5 softball teams, at least 5 women’s volleyball teams, and most likely more. Her time as a coach, professor, and athletic director gave her the opportunity to mentor her students and players, which had a lasting impact on many of them, both personally and professionally.
Holmes’s Impact on a Personal Level
Holmes made a personal impact on many women. One of those women is Tena Krause, a Greenville College basketball alumnus who played under Coach Holmes from 1978 to 1980. In an interview with Krause, she explained that Coach Holmes “was such a woman of faith” and she “lived a life of honor.” She taught her girls to be humble. “It wasn’t about the winning. It was about how to pray out loud, to care, lifting people up. [It was about] being there for people because Coach was there for them.” Holmes’s faith challenged Tena to pray, go to church, do devotions, and be consistent because Coach was consistent. It was evident that Krause’s beloved coach cared deeply for each of her players. “She cared as much for the starters, as the last person on the bench.”
Beyond loving her girls well, she taught them how to play the game and coach the game. Tena Krause went on to coach at Altamont High School and Taylor University. She implemented things she learned from Coach Holmes and the other coaches at Greenville College into her coaching style. Later in her coaching career, Tena learned about the “3D Coach” model, a term coined by Jeff Duke in his book, 3D Coach: Capturing the Heart Behind the Jersey (2014). When Tena read and reflected on this idea, she recognized that her coaches at Greenville College were 3D coaches long before Jeff Duke’s book had been published. “They cared about the game, they cared about the emotion of the game, and they cared about getting to know the heart behind the player.” Like Phyllis Holmes, Tena Krause loved the game and, as a coach, loved the heart behind the jersey.
Another great example of a woman deeply impacted by Holmes’ example was a woman named Karen (surname unknown), whose letter to Holmes was uncovered in the Greenville University archives. She writes,
“Dear Phyllis,
I just wanted to thank you once again for all of your support over the past several weeks. It has always given me a boost to talk to you or see you. I’d like to share a story with you. I’ve been [wanting] to tell you this for two years, but never did and now that I have found out how short life can be and [how] you better say what you feel when you have the chance!
Many years ago :) (the summer after my senior year in high school!) I attended the EIU summer basketball camp (now at this point in my life, I had never been on any type of organized team - no girls sports yet at my school). I remember how impressed I was that women knew stuff about basketball!! I also remember two fun, caring, smiling coaches at that camp – Donna…and yourself. I remember thinking at that time how much I would like to be a coach and be like you! Now here we are 15 years later coaching against each other– but more with each other. I still hope to be like you because you are a model of professionalism and proof that women can do. You still haven’t lost that fun, caring…smile! Thanks!
See you in Jackson–
Love, Karen”
This letter from Karen exemplifies Holmes’s heart for others, as Karen had clearly felt that Holmes had met her in a time of need, and her leadership that impacted how people understood their sense of self and their own abilities. Holmes drew Karen in and inspired her upon their first encounter and seemingly every encounter following.
The impact Phyllis Holmes made did not end with Tena Krause or Karen. Holmes impacted others, who, in turn, impacted others. Both Krause and Karen went on to become coaches, like Holmes. There is a beautiful ripple effect when someone is obedient to their call and loves the Lord. Beyond the game of basketball, women’s athletics, or incredible feats, we see the lasting impact of a woman who served the Lord faithfully and loved others well; developing both players and disciples.
