Possibly six Lady Vols will be involved in various events
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Although the Tennessee Lady Vol basketball team won't be making the trip to Boston for the 2006 Final Four, there will still be an Orange presence in "Beantown."
Seniors Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman will be participating in a number of WNBA events leading up to the 2006 WNBA Draft on Wed., April 5 in Boston. Additionally, Zolman will be participating in the WBCA's Night of Stars" college all-star game on Sat., April 1.
Tennessee rookie Candace Parker may be traveling to Boston as well. Parker is a finalist for the 10-player Kodak/WBCA All-American Team. The press conference for that event is on Sat., April 1.
Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt and former Lady Vol All-Americans and Final Four MVP's Bridgette Gordon and Chamique Holdsclaw will be on hand as well. They are all being honored as the coach and members of the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship 25th Anniversary Team.
In February 2006, the NCAA named five players and one coach to the Division I Women's Basketball 25th Anniversary Team. Honored are five players who combined to win 11 national championships during their respective careers and the winningest coach in the history of men's or women's basketball.
The 25th Anniversary Team consists of Bridgette Gordon, who helped lead Tennessee to championships in 1987 and 1989; Chamique Holdsclaw, who led the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers to championships in 1996, 1997 and 1998; Cheryl Miller, who led the University of Southern California to team titles in 1983 and 1984; Diana Taurasi, the University of Connecticut guard who led the Huskies to three consecutive championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004; and Sheryl Swoopes, who led Texas Tech University to the national title in 1993.
Selected as the coach of the team is the legendary Pat Summitt, who has led Tennessee to six national championship titles and 16 Women's Final Four appearances during her illustrious career. Summitt, who owns a 913-177 (.835) overall record, is the all-time leader in every NCAA tournament coaching record with a 92-19 (.830) slate in 111 NCAA contests. She holds every record including titles, appearances, games, wins and winning percentage. She has led Tennessee to 25 consecutive tournament appearances.
An expert panel consisting of administrators, former coaches, representatives from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and members of the media used historical data and results from the online public voting to make its decision based on each individual's achievements during NCAA championship competition.
"The 2006 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship will be a special one as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NCAA women's basketball championship," said Sue Donohoe, vice president for NCAA Division I women's basketball. "It will be a time to recognize those who have paved the way for this great game as well as to celebrate those who will lead us into the future."
Here's a closer look at the student-athletes and coach that were named to the NCAA Division I Basketball 25th Anniversary Team:
Bridgette Gordon, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1986-1989)
Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player (1987)
Women's Final Four All-Tournament Team (1987)
East Regional All-Tournament Team (1988)
East Regional Most Outstanding Player (1989)
Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1989)
NCAA Team Finishes: Women's Final Four - tied 3rd (1986, 1988); Champion (1987, 1989)
Chamique Holdsclaw, University of Tennessee, Knoxville (1996-1999)
East Regional All-Tournament Team (1996, 1999)
Women's Final Four All-Tournament Team (1996)
Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player (1997)
Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1997, 1998)
Mideast Regional Most Outstanding Player (1998)
NCAA Team Finishes: Champion (1996, 1997, 1998); Regional Final (1999)
Cheryl Miller, University of Southern California (1983-1986)
West Regional All-Tournament Team (1983, 1984)
Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1983, 1984)
West Regional Most Outstanding Player (1986)
Women's Final Four All-Tournament Team (1986)
NCAA Team Finishes: Champion (1983, 1984); Regional Semifinal (1985), Women's Final Four Runner up (1986)
Diana Taurasi, University of Connecticut (2001-2004)
East Regional Most Outstanding Player (2001, 2003, 2004)
Mideast Regional All-Tournament Team (2002)
Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player (2003, 2004)
NCAA Team Finishes: Women's Final Four - tied 3rd (2001); Champion (2002, 2003, 2004)
Sheryl Swoopes, Texas Tech University (1992-1993)
West Regional All-Tournament Team (1992)
West Regional Most Outstanding Player (1993)
Women's Final Four Most Outstanding Player (1993)
NCAA Team Finishes: Regional Semifinal (1992); Champion (1993)
Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee, Coach (1974-present)
Six NCAA Championships (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1998)
16 Women's Final Four Appearances (1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
21 Regional Final Appearances
25 Regional Appearances
All-time leader in every NCAA tournament coaching record - titles, appearances, games, wins and winning percentage
First coach to lead team to three straight NCAA titles (1996, 1997, 1998)
Only coach to have appeared in all 25 tournaments
In 1981, the NCAA began sponsoring women's championships, which has opened the door to increased athletic and academic opportunities for female student-athletes. Today, the NCAA sponsors 44 women's championships in 20 sports, providing more than 150,000 women with an opportunity to compete for national titles each year.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR THE TENNESSEE LADY VOL CONTINGENT IN BOSTON
Saturday, April 1, 2006
9:45-10:30 a.m. Kodak/ WBCA All-American Team Announcement
Tennessee freshman Candace Parker is a nominee for the All-America Team. Announced in Boston, 10 players will be selected to the team.
Location: Westin Copley Place (Essex Center)
6:30 p.m. WBCA College All-Star Challenge
WNBA stars will serve as Honorary Co-Captains in an exhibition game featuring 20 of the top senior college All-Stars of the year who are not participating in the Women's Final Four. Shanna Zolman will represent the University of Tennessee.
Location: Matthews Arena, Northeastern University
Sunday, April 2, 2006
NCAA Women's National Semifinals Game 2 - Halftime
Presentation of 25th Anniversary Team - including Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and former Lady Vol All-Americans and previous Final Four MVP's Bridgette Gordon and Chamique Holdsclaw.
Location: TD Banknorth Garden
Monday, April 3, 2006
10:15 a.m. 2006 WNBA Pre-Draft Camp
The WNBA Pre-Draft Camp will offer WNBA coaches and general managers an opportunity to evaluate the skills of approximately 40 top prospects from the current collegiate senior class including Tennessee's Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman. The players will participate in on-court sessions scheduled for the morning, afternoon and evening.
Location: Emmanuel College
5 p.m. 25th Anniversary Celebration
Dinner honoring the 25th Anniversary Team - including Tennessee coach Pat Summitt and former Lady Vol All-Americans and previous Final Four MVP's Bridgette Gordon and Chamique Holdsclaw.
Location: Boston Opera House
Wednesday, April 5, 2006
1:00 p.m. 2006 WNBA Draft
For the first time in history, the 2006 WNBA Draft will take place the day following the NCAA Women's Division I Championship game. Top prospects from across the nation will be in attendance for the Draft. Tennessee seniors Tye'sha Fluker and Shanna Zolman will be in attendance.
Location: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
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