Lindsay Whalen Continues to Give Back to the Game

As the offseason nears an end, broadcasting and other tasks will get moved aside for the time being as Lindsay Whalen prepares for yet another WNBA season.

Whalen said she has been back on the practice court for 2-to-3 weeks, getting her body ready to go for training camp at the end of April.

“My main focus right now is the season and getting back on the court. That’s my full-time job,” Whalen said. “We start April 29 with practice, now it’s about getting your body ready for taking those hits and being able to be in condition for minutes during the season.”

There will be a lot of anticipation for the 2018 season, especially for Whalen and the Lynx. Minnesota returns back to Target Center looking to defend its title in 2017, while opening the regular season on May 20 against the team the Lynx beat for that title in the Los Angeles Sparks.

“It’s going to be everything we think it will be, with a lot emotions,” Whalen said. “We’re getting the banner, and we play the team we beat then for that banner. The team that won last year is getting the trophy, while the team who we beat to get it has to sit there and watch it. I’m sure, they won’t be out there for (the ceremony), but they will still hear about it.

“It’s just one game, but it will be good. We will come out and do our best. Training camp will prepare us for that game. It’s one game, a big game, but just the first game of the season.”

Entering her 15th season in the league, Whalen said she is taking things “year by year, practice by practice, workout by workout” in regards to how long she anticipates playing.

In a career that has been filled with what seems like endless success, maybe there’s one last thing the Minnesota native wants to check off her list before she calls it a career.

“It’s a repeat year for us. It’s my fourth time trying to do that and it hasn’t been done yet,” Whalen said. “A championship, that’s our goal every year. We get another shot at it, but the start to the season is huge. I think you have to take it like that.

“It starts with a rematch of the last two Finals, and it will be a big challenge in that game.”

A Future Career in Broadcasting? 

After testing the waters a year ago, Whalen has decided to show off her basketball IQ in a new way.

This offseason, she has taken on an expanded broadcasting role, joining the Fox Sports North crew to call eight Minnesota Timberwolves games, as well as calling some games for the Big Ten Network and ESPN.

“It was a nice opportunity that FSN came to me with. I’m thankful for the opportunity they gave me, and I learned a lot along the way,” Whalen said. “Hopefully next year it works out again, because I think that would be great. They will look at things, and if they want me back, I’ll just kind of go from there for next year.

“It’s something I’d like to keep doing, whether it’s with FSN, the Big Ten Network or ESPN.”

Whalen said the biggest adjustment she’s had to deal with in her young broadcasting career so far has been learning how to communicate the game to viewers.

“There are so many things you have to worry about with TV. You’re talking to the viewer and communicating the game with the viewer, it’s not like you’re sitting in your basement just talking about a game,” she said. “It’s fun, it’s a challenge, and it’s not easy to do, but it’s something that I really enjoyed this year.

“I’m just trying to keep growing the game and lending my knowledge of the game to viewers and to sports fans.”

Lindsay Giving Back

Between playing and now broadcasting, Whalen has accomplished just about everything throughout the course of her basketball career.

Whether it has been her stretch of success at the collegiate level with the University of Minnesota, becoming a four-time WNBA champion with the Minnesota Lynx, winning two Olympic Gold medals with Team USA or becoming an inaugural member of the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame, her accomplishments speak for themselves.

Even with all the success, Whalen has continued to use her platform to give back to the game that she’s spent nearly her entire life playing, which is possibly her biggest accomplishment yet.

“We all came from somewhere and are a part of greater community,” Whalen told Zone Coverage. “Any way that you are able to give back is important. When you have the ability to give back, I think you should.”

Throughout her WNBA career, especially in her time with the Lynx, Whalen has been known to get out in the community and give back.

This offseason, that has continued to hold true. Along with making a few appearances back in her hometown of Hutchinson, Whalen recently announced she is now a minority owner of her former AAU team, the Minnesota Stars.

“I thought about this for a while. Overall, I had a really good experience with AAU. It’s a great way for kids to play a lot of basketball,” she said. “People ask me about how I got to the level that I got to, I just tell them I played and played and played.”

Despite criticisms being drawn from the AAU, Whalen has seen what it can do when it’s at its best.

“I saw a lot of good things with AAU,” she said. “Obviously, there are some things that can be improved, but I wanted to try and give my knowledge to the kids and the organization.”

Whalen last played for the Stars in 2000, right before starting her collegiate career with the Golden Gophers and later making the jump to the WNBA in 2004.

Whalen said she has had numerous conversations with Mark Smith, majority owner and president of the Stars, about this opportunity. The Lynx point guard added she anticipates her involvement with the AAU club will increase once her playing career is over.

“We’ll see where it goes when I’m done playing. Obviously our seasons line up, so I won’t be there as much as I’d like right now,” Whalen said. “It’s kind of a starter year to see how things go. I’m looking forward to talking and working together (with Smith) as we grow and learn.

“With this, I’m trying to learn more how an organization works and the ownership and management side of things. It will be a learning curve for me as well.”

Whalen has achieved a lot throughout her career. Being able to give back and help surrounding communities, however, is right at the top of her list of accomplishments.

“Overall, I want to give back to the kids and the community,” Whalen said. “It’s extremely important to me.”


ILMS_Zone_Coverage_Banner

What Went Wrong For the Lynx In 2022?
By Mitchell Hansen - Aug 25, 2022
Are the Lynx Actually In Danger Of Missing the Playoffs?
By Mitchell Hansen - Aug 2, 2022

A Mid-Season Turnaround Has the Lynx Back In the Playoff Picture

Following a late-June game against the Dallas Wings at Target Center, Aerial Powers displayed optimism about the Minnesota Lynx being able to turn what had been a […]

Continue Reading