Former MSUB, M-ette standout Knudsen prepares for basketball, this time as a coach

One of Malta's most accomplished athletes will see athletics in a different light this season, not as a player fighting to win a championship in basketball, but to lead her team to the top.

Former M-ette and Montana State University Billings standout, Bobbi Knudsen will be coaching as the second assistant coach at Seattle Pacific University (SPU), a NCAA Division II – GNAC School next basketball season.

Knudsen was a star point guard at every level, including her one year stint with USC Freiberg in Germany last season. Her skills at the position should benefit the Falcons tremendously.

"I got back from overseas and the day I got back, Julie Heisey (the head coach) called me," Knudsen said.

Knudsen missed the call, however her mother Janice fielded the call, and Bobbi called back.

"She said she was thinking about me and was wondering what I was doing and wanted me to apply for the job," Knudsen said.

Being in the same conference as SPU, Knudsen faced the Falcons many times, they are even considered rivals. Now Knudsen will get a taste of what the other side of the rivalry looks like.

"It'll be hard," Knudsen admitted. "I love MSUB and it'll be hard to play them, but I guess that's just something I have to do. That day will be tough for sure."

After being in competitive sports all of her life, the first hurdle she will have to overcome will be standing on the sidelines.

"All my life I've always been in a sport," Knudsen said. "I think it will be (hard). Hopefully I'll adjust better than I think I will. Right away I think it will be hard to not be playing."

There is one perk Bobbi is looking forward to.

"I think it will be easier on my body," she said. "My body won't hate me as much. That will be good."

Knudsen has set many records as an M-ette and a Yellowjacket and if she had a few more years in Germany many other records would have fallen, but her trip has taught her a few things and the most important thing brought her back.

"It was a lot different than America, that's for sure," Knudsen said. "I learned, I love the U.S.A."

She has no regrets of stepping out and taking her talents to the pro-level.

"I would recommend anyone who has the opportunity to do it, do it," Knudsen said. "Because you see so much and you experience so much."

She went into detail of how sports are a little different in Europe. Saying that the teams are called clubs. Not having organized high school sports, many young adults 17 and up join those clubs.

"They just kind of work their way up through these clubs," Knudsen said. "That was kind of different, seeing how they do things over there."

Knudsen practiced with a couple of high school girls during her time there.

"They never played on the team, we just needed practice bodies," Knudsen said. "So if someone got hurt, then they came in (during practices.) A seventeen year old could be playing with a 27-year-old."

All-in-all Knudsen loved the experience, but she simply found that she loves America.

Having many highlights and accolades through her career, including winning the 2010 State B Title with Malta and holding the career points and assists records for the GNAC conference, Knudsen had a very fond memory in her lone year of pro ball.

"We went into the playoffs being the seventh seed and we beat the number two seed," Knudsen said noting that the series was best of three games against Herner. "That was a fun series to play."

Wherever she goes in her career, this Malta native will always carry the spirit of the M-ettes with her.

"It's the tradition. You grow up, looking up to the high school girls, watching them win the state championship," Knudsen said. "I remember saying, 'that's what I want to do when I grow up.'"

"Then working your way up through the program and then finally being a senior and accomplishing your goal and winning a state championship. It's the tradition with the whole program that carries on. I don't think it will die in this town," she continued.