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January 30, 2005 Associated Press Michigan State's Liz Shimek, left, and Minnesota's Liz Podominick reach for a rebound during a Big Ten contest this season. Takin' it to the next levelGlen Lake's Shimek turning into a leader for Michigan StateByRecord-Eagle sports editor TRAVERSE CITY - Liz Shimek's imprint is all over the Michigan State women's basketball program. And, as it turns out, the media guide. The junior forward had 12 of her teammates up north last summer for a camping weekend in Leelanau County. The getaway, which gave Shimek's teammates a glimpse into her upbringing on the family farm, produced some humorous stories and lasting memories, some captured in snapshots that appear in the media guide. In fact, the team picture on the inside cover of the guide was taken in the Shimek's corn field. "It was definitely a different experience for some (team members)," Shimek said. "Some had never even slept in a tent before." The trip illustrates Shimek's growing role as a leader on a Spartan team that's 17-3 and ranked No. 11 in the country. "Liz had the whole team up to the farm - every player was there," Michigan State coach Joanne P. McCallie said. "She took ownership and leadership to a new level. It's an example of how much she's willing to give. "These kids didn't know anything about farming. This gave them the chance to understand Liz's life on the farm, the early wake-up and the commitment it takes. That's an incredibly special (team) picture to me." A team captain, Shimek's one of four veterans - Kristin Haynie, Kelli Roehrig and Lindsay Bowen are the others - who have played instrumental roles in turning Michigan State into a nationally-recognized program. The former Glen Lake star has started all 80 games since arriving in East Lansing - a stretch in which the Spartans are 56-24. This season's 17-3 start is the school's best after the first 20 games. Shimek is averaging career-bests - 14.4 points and 9.2 rebounds -for the Spartans, who are 6-2 in the Big Ten, a game behind co-leaders Penn State and Ohio State. She's second in the Big Ten in rebounding - she has a league-best 78 offensive boards - and is 15th in scoring. She's shooting nearly 49 percent from the field. "Every year you grow as a player," Shimek said. "Your role changes as you get older. More is expected." And Shimek's delivering more. McCallie recently called her "my All-American." "What I meant by that is that Liz is everybody's All-American in terms of commitment to what she does," McCallie explained. "She's such a uniquely motivated and focused individual. "Academically, she's absolutely superior to most. Athletically, she's completely driven. She's never satisfied. She's a coach's dream that way." The former Miss Basketball credits her family for instilling the values that have led to her success. On the court, Shimek was third-team all-Big Ten last season. Off the court, she was academic all-Big Ten. "She takes after her brother," said her father, Tom. T.J. Shimek recently earned athletic and academic honors at Aquinas College. Shimek, who's on pace to become the program's first player to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in a career, posted her seventh double-double of the season Wednesday in a win over Purdue. She finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the 71-58 victory. Shimek has benefited from the presence of veteran assistant coach Al Brown, who joined the program this season. Brown, who's been a collegiate coach for 27 years, works with the low-post players. He's helped Shimek and Roehrig, who's also enjoying a career year, develop their finesse and power moves inside. "His wisdom and knowledge of the game have been invaluable," Shimek said. McCallie has noticed the difference. "Her game is growing by leaps and bounds," she said. The coach likes Shimek's "attack mode" on the court, along with her versatility. "She can play the four (power forward), she can play the three (small forward), she can handle the ball," McCallie said. "There's a lot of versatility in her game. She can play the power game, she can play the finesse game. I like how's she developed." McCallie is always challenging Shimek to reach new heights, however. One of the biggest challenges has been trying to change Shimek's demeanor on the court. "It's been fun motivating her, challenging her, trying to take away the humble and get her to dominate games and go after that next level," McCallie said. "We want her to exude confidence from the minute she steps on that floor. Humble is an important part of life, but I think there's a time to shed it and a time to take it back on. "She has to want to dominate games, to want to be absolutely the best player on the floor every time she takes the floor. That's a daunting task, but that's the attitude - that I want to be the toughest, meanest player on the floor - she has to embrace for her to reach her potential. "She could be the best power forward, she could be the best three player in the country. She has all the tools to go after something very, very special." McCallie motivates by presenting challenges. "If she doesn't have any offensive rebounds, I'll tell her, 'Liz, you didn't have one offensive rebound that half,' " McCallie said. "She'll get really mad. She's got a lot of self-motivation. It's not hard to get her going." Shimek agreed. "If your coach is telling you that you're not doing something, you want to prove them wrong," she said. "I think that would motivate anybody." McCallie also wants Shimek to be more vocal and demanding of her teammates, something the business major admits has been difficult. "That's been hard," she said. "I've always been a leader by example." McCallie has asked the same of Haynie, Roehrig and Bowen. She wants her players to demand the best from each other, instead of having the coaching staff step in. "We very much want Lindsay to challenge Liz, Kristin to challenge Liz, Liz to challenge Kelli - all the way down the team when they're not bringing their A effort," McCallie said. Shimek said one reason players struggle with chiding each other is that they're close friends. "We have to understand that if we yell at one another it should not be taken personally - and that what happens on the court, stays on the court," Shimek said. McCallie said it's tougher for women to challenge teammates than it is for men. "I think women carry more off the court than men do," she said. "I think men pop off at each other a lot quicker, and it stays between the lines. "But women - when you're roommates and friends and you do fun things together - protect their relationships more. They're fearful they're going to lose something. "We're trying to redefine what friendship is for these kids. Friendship is about a love so deep that you can tell somebody when they're not cutting it, just like if you were telling them they did something superb. "Sure we want Liz to lead by example, but we want her voice all over this program, too." Shimek is one of three starters who hail from Michigan. And all three played at smaller high schools - Haynie at Mason, Bowen at Dansville and Shimek at Glen Lake. This season's Miss Basketball, Tiffanie Shives, who's headed to Michigan State in the fall, led Lansing Christian to a Class D state title last month. "If you're a good player, they'll (coaches) find you," Shimek said. McCallie was relatively new to Michigan State when she found Shimek. She first scouted Shimek at a high school game in northern Michigan. "I can remember walking into the gym and she had a headband on," McCallie said. "My husband spotted her right away. He said, 'We don't need to watch this game.' "She was unbelievable. We knew right away - the minute we laid eyes on Liz. Her prowess as a student-athlete was incredible." Shimek also considered Michigan and Indiana before selecting the Spartans. She was impressed with McCallie and her staff, the campus, the facilities. "I knew Michigan State was on its way to national recognition," she said. It's a decision she's never questioned. "It's been an awesome experience," the 6-foot-1 Shimek said. "I've learned so much here ... and I still have a lot of time left." And that national recognition? The Spartans are on the verge of a third consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament. Michigan State advanced to the second round last March. The goal is higher this season. "The sky's the limit," Shimek said. McCallie, who's seen attendance rise from an average 1,500 to 5,200 in five seasons at the school, believes that, too. "There are no limits to what we can achieve," she said. "I feel strongly that our team can achieve anything. If you were to tell me that we're going to be in the Final Four, I'd say great. It wouldn't surprise me." Michigan State already owns road wins over two of the nation's top teams, Notre Dame and Connecticut. Shimek's No. 1 fans - her parents, Tom and Linda - were at those games. In fact, they're at almost every game. "It's so much fun," Tom said. "You can't be proud enough. How many parents get to see their daughter play Division I?" And they may be following their daughter after college. McCallie said Liz has a future in professional basketball if she elects to go that route. "She could play a three at the pro level - and she would be fantastic," McCallie said. Shimek is not thinking that far ahead. "Right now I'm just living in the moment," she said. And that's fine with McCallie, who will coach her one more season after this one. "She's not a replaceable kid," McCallie said. "You don't get a Liz Shimek every day. "I admire her so much. You love your players. You care for your players. You motivate your players. Well, Liz motivates me. She's a special kid."
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