On the basketball court, players must keep up. They must keep up with a sudden change in play, a sudden switch in direction. Physical demands are at a high intensity, but the game also demands strategic thinking and quick decision moments. It is for this reason that recent graduate Shyann Kahalehoe, who played guard for the Women's Basketball team, enrolled in the Human Resources Management graduate program.
"Human Resources reminds me a lot about my outlook on basketball," she says. "It's the background of how the littlest to the biggest step in an organization is controlled. I have my teammates always looking at me for answers and I must come up with a strategy, goal, and decision within a timely manner… I take in the criticism, complaints, and controversies of the team and attempt to include everyone."
Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kahalehoe first contacted Coach Douglas in the summer of 2023. After explaining her intentions to attend Sheridan and move to Canada, the two developed a plan for her transition into Double-Blue. The following winter, Kahalehoe first joined the team in Western New York for a holiday exhibition series and started playing during the second half of the 2023-24 season. With her graduation approaching at the end of Fall 2024, Kahalehoe played her last season game in Double-Blue on December 1st against the St. Clair Saints. Although her time with the team was brief, playing for one season in total, Kahalehoe definitely left her stamp.
"She [brought] great basketball IQ and savvy to a team that was lacking experience and depth at the guard spot…" says Sean Douglas, Head Coach of the Women's Basketball team, "I'm excited for [Shyann] and the plans she has for her career going forward."
Coming from a basketball family, Kahalehoe first started her basketball career 19 years ago when her parents signed her up for the Police Activities League in Hawaii. "My dad was just one of those 'Coach dads' that had the skills to not only show me but also credibly critique my every action and behavior," she says. "My older sister, being 5 years older than me, was my biggest rival for most of my childhood."
Being a more experienced member on the team, Kahalehoe was a figure of maturity and guidance. Prior to the Bruins, she played for the Eastsidaz travel team, going on to win the 2014 AAU West Coast Nationals Championship, and the Islanderz club team, winning the 2016 Bigfoot Hoops Las Vegas Classic Tournament Champions. Kahalehoe also played for her high school; the team went on to win the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Championship for the first time in 23 years.
"What I'd tell someone who is just starting their basketball career that seeks advancement is to BELIEVE. Believe you can do things… believe those who support you… just believe. With 'believing' you're open to creating your own foundation for growth."
Off the court, Kahalehoe originally planned to become an elementary school teacher. She had attended Edmonds College in Washington and completed an associate's degree in arts for general studies. Now, a recent graduate from Sheridan, Kahalehoe hopes to pursue her career in human resources in Canada in addition to remaining involved with the basketball community within Sheridan or the local community.
"What I like most about my program, the challenge, and the VERY valuable HR lessons and skills especially with difficult situations and people. Everyone looks to Human Resources for help, consultation, or a solution. Going through this program has taught me that I could have my own point of view, obtain different points of views, and look towards different directions I could go to get to the end of a problem or situation."