Josie Aslakson: Embracing the Intersection of Art and Athletics

Josie Aslakson, a Paralympic medalist and college basketball coach, has found a unique balance between her creative passions and her athletic pursuits. Her desk, a canvas of poetry manuscripts, hand-drawn basketball plays, and a cherished journal, reflects the duality of her life – one where the art of writing and the art of coaching coexist harmoniously.

Unlocking the Creative Potential of an Athlete

The Artistic Mindset of a Coach

Josie Aslakson, a 29-year-old head coach of the University of Arizona women's wheelchair basketball team, has discovered that her creative side is a fundamental part of her coaching style. She sees the game as an art form, where each play is a brushstroke on a canvas, and her players are the brushes that bring her vision to life. Aslakson's ability to think outside the box, to weave her players together like the intricate lines of a poem, sets her apart from traditional coaches."The creative side of me makes me a better coach," Aslakson explains. "I'm not going into the gym strumming my guitar or writing poetry, but the fact that my brain is wired creatively makes me better at drawing up plays, or coming up with new ideas for the team."This intersection of her artistic and athletic identities has brought Aslakson a sense of contentment and well-being. "On one hand, basketball allowed me to reconnect with my body, and writing allowed me to reconnect with my mind," she says, highlighting the symbiotic relationship between her physical and mental pursuits.

The Influence of Creativity on Athletic Performance

Aslakson's creative approach extends beyond her coaching duties. Her players, like Emilee Gustafson, a 2024 UA graduate, have also found that their artistic inclinations influence their athletic performance. Gustafson, a fine arts major, believes that the way she approaches her art practice is mirrored in her basketball play, where she exhibits a sense of finesse and artistry."The way I go about my art practice ties in how I play, I play with finesse, and it's how I do my art as well," Gustafson explains, underscoring the interconnectedness of the creative and athletic realms.

Embracing the Duality of Identity

Aslakson's journey has been one of embracing the duality of her identity. She has never felt the need to compromise either her artistic or athletic side, finding a balance that allows her to thrive in both realms. "I was always a half-art kid half-sports kid. … I don't feel like I have to compromise either side of my identity," she says.This acceptance of her multifaceted self has led Aslakson to the perfect fit in Tucson, where she can pursue her creative lifestyle while also enjoying a fulfilling sports career. "Here in Tucson, I found the perfect fit, I can have a creative lifestyle, it's a very artsy and fun place. But I am also able to have a sports career that is very fulfilling," she reflects.

Cultivating a Dynamic Coaching Duo

Aslakson's creative approach to coaching extends beyond her own personal style. She has found a kindred spirit in her assistant coach, Courtney Ryan, a two-time Paralympian. Together, they form a "dynamic duo team," as described by player Emilee Gustafson, where their complementary skills and perspectives create a unique and innovative coaching experience for the team."She is a very creative coach with what she can do and what she can come up with. She thinks of new ways to train our athletes at points where we are struggling in certain scenarios," says Ryan, highlighting Aslakson's ability to adapt and innovate.

Overcoming Adversity and Discovering Basketball

Josie Aslakson's journey to becoming a Paralympic medalist and college basketball coach was not without its challenges. At the age of 5, she was involved in a car accident that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Growing up as the only child in her hometown of Jordan, Minnesota, in a wheelchair, Aslakson found solace in art, spending hours quietly drawing at her desk.However, the discovery of wheelchair basketball at the age of 13 proved to be a transformative moment. "Basketball brought me back into my body because you have to connect when you're playing sports. … It was a really good thing that I got into sports because I may have just stayed in that limbo of being unsure of myself," Aslakson reflects.

Embracing the Creative Outlet of Writing

Despite her success in basketball, Aslakson has never fully abandoned her creative side. While studying dramatic writing at New York University, she found it difficult to navigate the city in a wheelchair, leading her to transfer to the University of Arizona to pursue her basketball career.Today, Aslakson continues to embrace her love for writing, working on multiple poetry manuscripts. "I have been working on multiple poetry manuscripts, it's something fun that can help me track back my journey through my early 20s until now … poetry is so abstract and just writing it down and not having the structured ways of sports involved at all, it's so nice to not have any rules," she says.

Building a Supportive Community

Aslakson's journey has been shaped by the communities she has been a part of. As a child, she found a sense of belonging at the Courage Center in Golden Valley, Minnesota, where she first discovered the world of wheelchair basketball.Now, as the head coach of the University of Arizona women's wheelchair basketball team, Aslakson emphasizes the importance of community for her players. "I think a lot of our athletes find comfort in having people like them, they can branch out and meet friends, but they always know they have this group of athletes that live with a disability," she says.This sense of community is not only a source of support for the players but also a driving force for the team's growth and success. "It's a beautiful thing to be a part of … we are getting girls and women coming to us wanting to be coached by her, wanting to be a Wildcat," says assistant coach Courtney Ryan.