GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The 25th anniversary of the Phoenix-Packers Steak Fry at Lambeau Field Tuesday was a special one, as organizers generated $423,000 for Green Bay’s athletic department in their biggest fundraiser of the year.
Both the head coaches of the Phoenix basketball teams, women’s coach Kayla Karius and men’s coach Doug Gottlieb, spoke to FOX 11 at the event.
It was our first chance to talk with Karius since she signed a contract extension keeping her in Green Bay through the 2034-35 season. In her first two years in charge of the squad, Karius led the Phoenix to a 54-15 record, winning both the Horizon League regular season and conference tournament titles.
“It means everything for my husband and I and for our family. This is where we want to be, and it’s still a dream of mine that I’m here,” Karius said. “There are days still where I pinch myself and I have to recognize that I’m actually doing this, and I’m here, because I do love this place, and it means a whole lot to me.
This is not a place that I want to bounce from quickly, and I think that the challenge in recruiting is, when you have success early, there’s a lot of question marks from kids and their parents, wondering how long you’re going to stay.We’re here for the long-term and we want everybody to know that, because it is home and it’s a really special place.
Also entering his third season is Gottlieb, who helped the Phoenix win 14 more games in year two than in year one, going 18-14 and finishing in a tie for third place in the Horizon League. Now, he hopes to continue that momentum into year three.
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“First thing we have to do is schedule smart. Second thing is, we have to recruit the right kind of kids, and then when they get here June 8, we have to get right back to the basics. Building it step by step, foot by foot. On the defensive end, rebounding the basketball and being efficient offensively,” Gottlieb said. “The challenge is to have a little bit more talent. Can we get to the type of culture we had this year? That’s the part that was really special.”