Salisbury women’s basketball senior guard Chante’ McKinney is helping lead the resurgence of the Sea Gulls’ program.  McKinney is leading the Sea Gulls, who are tied for fourth place in the nine-team conference, in assists, steals and ranks third in scoring. 

What is your background in the sport you play?   I have played on Salisbury University women’s basketball team since my freshman year in the Fall of 2007. I have been playing basketball since the 2^nd grade. My parents signed me and my sister up for all kinds of sports, but basketball is what stuck to me. It was probably because my older sister played and I always wanted to do what she did.

What is your favorite spot on campus?  Salisbury University has a beautiful campus with many different places to go, but my favorite spot on campus would probably be my room where I can sit and relax. I love living on campus because I am close to the commons, the gym, and do not have to wake up extra early to get to class.

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I am part the Powerful Connections Mentor Program run by the Multicultural Student Offices. I was a New Student Orientation Leader for the incoming freshmen. I am a member of Student Organization for Activity Planning (S.O.A.P.), Union of African American Students (UAS), and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (S.A.A.C.).

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.  The most memorable experience of my collegiate career was my sophomore year when I was injured the second week of practice. I was out for six weeks and had to watch my team suffer through the first half of the season because we had freshmen at the guard positions. That first half of the season was painful, but we fought our way to fifth in the conference with only eight players. That was an instance that showed me it is not the size of the team that matters, but the heart of the players within it.  

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?  The most important societal issue facing college students today is knowing their limits. The first thing that probably came to mind after reading that statement is drinking - which is a big issue - but it’s not only drinking. College is expensive and students are graduating with debt at an alarming rate. I was blessed to not be in this situation, but it took a lot of hard work of searching for scholarships, writing essays and keeping a budget.  It is not that students do not care about their finances; they just do not know where to look for advice. I feel if there were more programs that focused on making students more financially stable there would be less students graduating with debt.

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?   My major is Business Management with a minor in Information Systems. The most important thing that I have learned in the Perdue School of Business is networking is key. No matter what discipline it is important to have a strong network of people that if you call they will answer. My mother always said “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.”

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?   My advice to elementary school children would be to not take their education for granted. They should absorb as much knowledge as they can because you cannot go too far without a brain. And do not let anyone deter them from accomplishing their goals. Be happy with who you are and don’t be afraid to be different. Bullies will be around for your entire life but as long as you are confident in the person you are then what they say means nothing. I used to get made fun of for the way I talk because I speak proper and called weird, but I would just say “I am not weird I am unique” which would swash any negative thing anyone had to say about me.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?   I love watching movies. Action, Comedy, Drama, Children’s movies.  I love them all. I will watch a scary movie once in a while but not all of them. I stay away from any of the thrillers that are based on true stories.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?   I like Dwayne Wade from the Miami Heat and Lindsey Harding. I like her style of play. She’s short, quick and aggressive and she wears my favorite number, 10.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?    I choose Sanaa Lathan as someone I would like to have dinner with because she is one of my favorite actors. I like the roles that she has played in especially my favorite movie Love and Basketball.

I also chose Columbus Short because he is one of my favorite male actors. He is a versatile entertainer because he can act and dance. And he seems like he is a fun person to be around with a good personality.

The last person that I would like to have dinner with is Michelle Obama because she is a strong black woman in a high position and is making an impact. Also like how supportive she is of President Obama. Even with everyone in their business and trying to tear them and their relationship apart they are still strong and function as one. I really admire that.