RAPID CITY — Rich Crow Eagle is pulling double coaching duty at this week’s Lakota Nation Invitational. 

In addition to his athletic director duties at Tiospa Zina High School, Crow Eagle is the boys and girls basketball head coach this season for the Wambdi. It is Crow Eagle’s first-ever season coaching both boys and girls during the same season and he admits it’s been a learning experience. 

“It’s been an experience,” Crow Eagle said. “A lot of time in the gym. One of the things about it is that as athletic director you want to create your programs. I guess there’s no better way than to change the culture up there at TZ than to start with both programs. They are working hard. The kids are all bought in.”

Crow Eagle was the head girls basketball coach last season but was pulled into the head boys position this season. Sam Crawford Jr., who was set to coach the boys' team, died in November and Tiospa Zina received little interest for his replacement. 

Crow Eagle instead decided to coach both teams, which has created an interesting schedule at this week’s Lakota Nation Invitational. The Tiospa Zina boys and girls basketball teams are both scheduled to play four games apiece from Wednesday-Saturday. 

On Thursday, the Tiospa Zina girls play at 5 p.m., while the Wambdi boys are scheduled to play at 6:30 p.m. 

“Hopefully it’s not close, and I can leave a little bit early and go get the boys ready,” Crow Eagle said about the tight schedule. “But that would probably be the only thing that I would see as far as time-wise for the tournament.” 

What if the Tiospa Zina teams are playing at the same time?

Crow Eagle said he hasn’t looked that far ahead but would lean on his assistant coaches Jacob Lablanc (boys) and Steve Marks (girls) in that scenario. 

“We will figure it out,” Crow Eagle said. “But I would much rather be there for all of them. But our dudes are the ones that probably need the most nurturing as far as the support, especially from the head guy.”

Crow Eagle is coaching two teams on opposite ends of the spectrum. Crow Eagle said the boys' team returned just one player with significant minutes last season, while the girls on the other hand have a host of returners. 

“We have good kids and they are listening and bought into the program and doing what we ask,” Crow Eagle said. “So it’s very appreciative. It makes it easy.”

For Crow Eagle, it’s also another trip to Rapid City for the LNI. A Todd County High School graduate, Crow Eagle has played, officiated and coached at the event over the years. 

He’s also among the next generation of former LNI hoopers who are now coaching, and he knows how important the event is for the youth. 

“Being here seeing old friends — dudes that you played with — it seems like we are all coaching now, giving back to our communities which is probably pretty big in Indian Country,” Crow Eagle said.