- Slug: Sports–Karen Self Basketball Record, 1,200 words.
- 3 photos available
By Sebastian Mondaca Sepulveda
Cronkite News
CHANDLER – Surrounded by those who had been part of her journey, from players she once coached to colleagues who had watched her rise through the ranks, Karen Self could feel the weight of the achievement settle in. She had become the winningest coach in Arizona girls basketball history on Jan. 17 against Globe, a milestone that was not just hers alone, but one that belonged to an entire community.
Her legacy, built on 833 wins (and counting) and 12 state championships, was now woven into the fabric of Seton Catholic and the Arizona basketball scene.
At that moment, Self didn’t need to say a word. The love and admiration from those around her spoke volumes, capturing the essence of a career devoted to more than just the scoreboard.
“That’s the kind of stuff why you coach,” Self said. “You build these relationships with these kids, and the fact that they want to come back and celebrate with us, it means the world to me.”
The historic victory showcased her journey from playing basketball at Arizona State University to taking the helm as coach of Seton Catholic in 1992. Since then, she has guided the Seton Catholic girls basketball team to 12 state championships, cementing her legacy as a dominant figure in Arizona high school sports.
Self’s milestone reflects her dedication to the sport but also highlights the lasting impact she has had on her players, the school and the Arizona basketball community. Her ability to sustain excellence over three decades speaks to her adaptability, leadership, and commitment to a winning culture.
For Self, coaching is more than just strategy and competition, it’s about transformation. She has spent years watching players grow, not just in skill but in confidence and character. That personal connection, she says, is what keeps her coming back year after year.
“Coaching, I won’t lie, is kind of addicting,” Self said. “You can take a kid who didn’t know anything about basketball and watch them grow throughout the years – it’s why I’m standing here. I get invited to family events, weddings and baby showers – and that makes me feel like I did a great job. And I couldn’t be happier being a part of their lives even after high school.”
To celebrate the achievement, Seton Catholic held a special ceremony for Self at a home game against Highland Prep on Jan. 23, inviting former players and the community. The emotions were sky high for Self, emphasizing the importance of Seton Catholic and the community that watched her grow into the icon coach she is today.
“For the past 30 years, I got to watch them grow up before my eyes and see them become proper people to society,” Self said. “I thank all of them for believing in me and this achievement doesn’t happen without every single one of them.”
One of the people in attendance at the celebration was none other than the previous record holder, Miner Webster, who coached at Gilbert and Highland. Widely regarded as one of the most accomplished coaches in Arizona high school basketball history, Webster’s record of 832 wins was once thought to be untouchable.
However, Webster always believed that someone would eventually surpass his mark — and he couldn’t be more thrilled that it was his good friend, Self, who did so. Over the years, the two developed a strong mutual respect through countless battles on the court before Webster retired in 2018.
For Webster, seeing Self reach this historic milestone represented a full-circle moment.
“We’ve been good friends for so long that I can’t even remember,” Webster said. “We competed against each other and I have so much respect for her and her program… When I took the record for the first time, she (Self) was there to congratulate me, and that’s the type of person that she is. She’s always supporting everyone around her and truly makes everyone compete to their fullest potential. I’m glad she took my record and I hope she continues to coach for a very long time.”
Among Self’s former players at the ceremony were two sisters, Kelsey and Kendall Krick. Kelsey, who graduated in 2009, and Kendall, who graduated in 2018, represent the period over which Self’s influence has lasted.
Despite Kelsey’s graduation 16 years ago, a bond that goes beyond competition still exists. The connection underscores Self’s deep, lasting impact on her athletes that extends far beyond high school graduation.
“Obviously a wonderful coach, but what makes Karen so special is how she treats you outside the court,” Kelsey said. “The time and effort is why I still contact her till this day. She genuinely cares for you and I’m so proud to be with her throughout the years. Eight hundred thirty-three wins is so impressive and I’m glad to have joined her in that journey.”
Kendall has followed in the footsteps of her older sister and remained in contact with Self after she graduated. Having played basketball at the collegiate level at Marist College, Kendall would always get in contact with Self and ask for any advice to improve as a player.
“I would always reach out to Karen and ask for advice when I needed help,” Kendall said. “Having her as someone I could reference during my college career was something I couldn’t have been more blessed with and I’m thankful for that.
“Even after my college years, Karen would always reach out to me and ask me how I’m doing and what my next steps in life are. She was more than just my coach, she became my friend and it’s only natural that I’m here to support her.”
Before becoming a legendary coach, Self was a four-year starter on the ASU women’s basketball team. She also competed in track and field as a thrower for two years.
Being the multi-athlete that she was, Self emphasized her journey as an athlete at Arizona State and how her former basketball coach gave her the blueprint of being a coach after her collegiate years.
“For those who knew me as a player, I played under Maura McHugh, and she was essentially the reason why I dove my feet into coaching,” Self said. “She taught me the majority of what I know today. During my final two years at Arizona State, I was having problems with my back and entering my senior year, I didn’t get to play my final eight or nine games.
“Perseverance became the word that highlighted my final years as a Sun Devil. She (McHugh) taught me the role of leadership and I was able to use that with my career within coaching. Thirty-three years later, here we are.”
Self’s journey doesn’t end here. Seton Catholic is currently 12-3 on the season, with three games remaining until the postseason. They are currently ranked No. 13 in the 3A region, with aspirations to qualify for the recently added Copper Division.
Already an Arizona HS Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame member, she will seek her 13th championship with Seton Catholic this season.
“Family,” Self said. “This record doesn’t happen without my family, and that includes all my players … We will celebrate the historic milestone today, but my team still has a state title in sight and I’m going to continue to do what I do in order to achieve that.”
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