Next in a series of LBSU Media Relations interviews with Niner Coaches is the following visit with Laura Freimuth, who enters her fourth year as an assistant coach for Jody Wynn and the women’s basketball team. Freimuth is the youngest on the Beach coaching bench but is a regular presence on the court, visiting with refs and exchanging tape with other teams, all the while working the twitter-land with quips and quotes about the sport in general and her team in particular. In high school, Freimuth competed in basketball, volleyball, golf, and track at Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Washington, and became the first student-athlete in school history to earn 12 varsity letters.

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Can you detail your coaching path to Long Beach State?

I first met Jody (Wynn) when I was a student at USC. After graduation, I was lucky enough to be a graduate assistant at USC while completing my Master’s Degree. After working with Jody for five years at USC in a variety of different roles, I was thrilled she asked me to join her at Long Beach State. I had been living in Long Beach while working at USC and absolutely loved the area, so I was happy to be in Long Beach full time.

Beyond winning a championship, what are your goals for the upcoming season?

Our goal is to “Bring it Back.” Bring back the rich tradition and history that we have here at Long Beach State. It starts with dedication and commitment to improve every day.

Who is an exciting new player we will see on you team next season?

I am excited about all of our incoming players for next season. They all bring a different dimension to our team and they will be exciting to watch. All of our incoming players are extremely talented, but also really good people who we are happy to have join the Beach Family.

What is your recruiting philosophy?

To recruit student athletes who fit into our system on the court and fit into our family off the court. We spend a lot of time getting to know our recruits not only as basketball players but as people. Putting together the best team is not simply about putting together the most talent; it’s about putting together the right pieces to make the best collective team.

How important are the summer months to the development of your team?

The summer months are incredibly important to the development of our team. Unfortunately, due to NCAA rules we are unable to work with our team from the time school is out in May until school starts at the end of August. Therefore, it’s extremely important that our team stays hungry and motivated over the summer months and continue to improve on their skills and come back as improved players for next season.

If someone asked you for a recommendation where to eat in the Long Beach area, where would you send them and what would you tell them to order?

Easy: EJ Malloy’s on Broadway for the most amazing wings I have ever had. Order them with medium heat and a LOT of napkins — you will need them!

Outside of coaching and sports, what are your hobbies?

I have recently fallen in love with gardening. Now that I have a yard, I planted a garden with different fruits and vegetables. I have really enjoyed the process of watching things grow and I absolutely love cooking with fresh food from the garden.

If you had a weekend off during the season and you weren’t allowed to work, what would you do with the free time?

I would fly up to Seattle and spend a day at my family’s cabin on Whidbey Island. Then I would drive up to beautiful British Columbia and ski at Whistler for a few days. Whistler Village is one of the most amazing ski towns I have ever been to and the size of both Whistler and Blackcomb are indescribable.

What vacation spot has been your favorite to visit?

My favorite place to visit has been the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands is a small island in the South Pacific. It is the most beautiful place I have ever been and the people were so welcoming about their country and their culture.

Dodgers or Angels, and why? Lakers or Clippers, and why?

I know this isn’t going to win any votes, but I have to stay true to my hometown and say neither. My mom would kill me if I said I was anything other than a Mariner fan. I am not a huge baseball fan, but I grew up watching the Mariners and listening to Dave Niehaus on the radio. When I think of baseball I think of the Mariners and Dave making the calls “My, oh my — that ball was belted!”

I’m going to jump off the L.A. bandwagon again. I know everyone is thinking that Seattle doesn’t have an NBA team, but the only team I can claim in the NBA are the Supersonics. Back in the day with Shawn Kemp, the Glove (Jeff’s look alike), Detlef Schrempf, Nate McMillan… Those were the days!

Excluding your team, what “49er Moment” from the 2011-12 season was your favorite?

The amazing Elite Eight run by our women’s soccer team. It was inspiring for everyone in the athletic department to see them do so well.