Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
UT is preseason No. 8 in women’s basketball
Connecticut picked up right where it left off last season: unanimous No. 1 in the women’s basketball poll.
The Huskies received all 40 first-place votes Friday from a national media panel. It’s the seventh time in school history UConn has held the top preseason ranking by The Associated Press.
Connecticut was the unanimous choice atop the poll the final 15 weeks last season, winning its sixth national championship to cap a 39-0 run. Huskies coach Geno Auriemma returns four starters from that team, including player of the year Maya Moore.
“It’s a great honor,” Auriemma said of the No. 1 ranking. “They worked hard last season and we got a bunch returning who earned it.”
Stanford was voted second and Ohio State third, with Notre Dame and North Carolina rounding out the first five. The Big East and ACC each have five teams in the Top 25.
Duke and Baylor start the next five, followed by Tennessee—the only team with more No. 1 preseason rankings than UConn. It’s the Lady Vols’ lowest preseason mark since 1985, when they were voted ninth.
The Huskies topped the poll all last season, and have been there for 25 straight weeks. It’s the fourth-longest stretch all-time, and UConn could break the record this season; Louisiana Tech was No. 1 for 36 straight weeks from 1980-82.
Connecticut, which was also No. 1 in the preseason in 1995, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’03 and ’08, opens Nov. 14 against Northeastern. Since the 1989-90 season, the top team in the preseason has won the NCAA championship six times, including the Huskies last season.
“We tend to finish close to where we’re picked,” Auriemma said.
LSU is ninth with Michigan State rounding out the top 10.
Xavier is No. 11—the Musketeers’ highest ranking ever. Expectations are high with Amber Harris back after sitting out last season with a knee injury.
“I’m happy people recognize our players and the work we put in,” Xavier coach Kevin McGruff said. “I’m very optimistic this could be a special season.”
Xavier is followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida State, while Arizona State, DePaul, California, Georgia Tech and Kansas complete the first 20.
The Jayhawks, who return four starters from last season’s 22-14 team, are ranked for the first time since Feb. 21, 2000. They lost in the WNIT finals in front of more than 16,000 fans after winning four of their final five league games.
“There’s a nice buzz. It’s a tribute to the kids we have returning in our program,” Jayhawks coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “We’ve already tripled season-ticket sales from last year.”
Georgia, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers finish off the Top 25.
Middle Tennessee State returns Alysha Clark, who led the nation in scoring last season, and is ranked in the preseason poll for the first time.
LSU is one of eight teams in the poll not ranked at the end of last season. The others are Michigan State, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Georgia, Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers.
The Huskies received all 40 first-place votes Friday from a national media panel. It’s the seventh time in school history UConn has held the top preseason ranking by The Associated Press.
Connecticut was the unanimous choice atop the poll the final 15 weeks last season, winning its sixth national championship to cap a 39-0 run. Huskies coach Geno Auriemma returns four starters from that team, including player of the year Maya Moore.
“It’s a great honor,” Auriemma said of the No. 1 ranking. “They worked hard last season and we got a bunch returning who earned it.”
Stanford was voted second and Ohio State third, with Notre Dame and North Carolina rounding out the first five. The Big East and ACC each have five teams in the Top 25.
Duke and Baylor start the next five, followed by Tennessee—the only team with more No. 1 preseason rankings than UConn. It’s the Lady Vols’ lowest preseason mark since 1985, when they were voted ninth.
The Huskies topped the poll all last season, and have been there for 25 straight weeks. It’s the fourth-longest stretch all-time, and UConn could break the record this season; Louisiana Tech was No. 1 for 36 straight weeks from 1980-82.
Connecticut, which was also No. 1 in the preseason in 1995, ’99, 2000, ’01, ’03 and ’08, opens Nov. 14 against Northeastern. Since the 1989-90 season, the top team in the preseason has won the NCAA championship six times, including the Huskies last season.
“We tend to finish close to where we’re picked,” Auriemma said.
LSU is ninth with Michigan State rounding out the top 10.
Xavier is No. 11—the Musketeers’ highest ranking ever. Expectations are high with Amber Harris back after sitting out last season with a knee injury.
“I’m happy people recognize our players and the work we put in,” Xavier coach Kevin McGruff said. “I’m very optimistic this could be a special season.”
Xavier is followed by Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Florida State, while Arizona State, DePaul, California, Georgia Tech and Kansas complete the first 20.
The Jayhawks, who return four starters from last season’s 22-14 team, are ranked for the first time since Feb. 21, 2000. They lost in the WNIT finals in front of more than 16,000 fans after winning four of their final five league games.
“There’s a nice buzz. It’s a tribute to the kids we have returning in our program,” Jayhawks coach Bonnie Henrickson said. “We’ve already tripled season-ticket sales from last year.”
Georgia, Vanderbilt, Louisville, Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers finish off the Top 25.
Middle Tennessee State returns Alysha Clark, who led the nation in scoring last season, and is ranked in the preseason poll for the first time.
LSU is one of eight teams in the poll not ranked at the end of last season. The others are Michigan State, DePaul, Georgia Tech, Kansas, Georgia, Middle Tennessee State and Rutgers.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Lady Vols pick to win SEC; Bjorklund, Striklen All-SEC
The Southeastern Conference announced its sixth annual women's basketball preseason All-SEC first and second teams Thursday, Oct. 29, to tip-off the 2009-10 season. In addition, the coaches voted on a predicted order of finish, overall champion and a preseason player of the year.
In the closet vote yet, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged the LSU Lady Tigers by one vote to earn the top spot. UT garnered 112 points, while the Lady Tigers received 111 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or their own players.
"I'm surprised that the coaches put us first, but, at the same time, I'm not surprised they put the target on us," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "There are a lot of great teams in the SEC this year and we will have to come out and play hard for 40 minutes every night."
Following Tennessee and LSU in the predicted order were Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The second six were Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama.
Junior Angie Bjorklund and sophomore Shekinna Stricklen were both selected to the First Team All-SEC squad. Bjorklund, the Lady Vols most experienced returnee, has started in 55 of 66 career games. The Spokane Valley, Wash., was second on the team in 2008-09 with 12.3 ppg, converting on 40.8 percent of her three-point attempts. Bjorklund enters 2009-10 with 130 career threes, just 32 away from third place in the UT annals.
As a freshman in 2008-09 Stricklen led the Lady Vols with 13.3 ppg and 3.0 apg, starting in all 32 games played. The Morrilton, Ark., native pulled down 5.9 rebounds per contest, and was named Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Joining the pair of Lady Vols on the first team were: C'eira Ricketts (Arkansas), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Angel Robinson (Georgia), LaSondra Barrett (LSU), Allison Hightower (LSU) and Alexis Rack (Mississippi State). Hightower was named the Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 14.8 ppg and 3.1 apg in league outings a season ago.
Sophomore Glory Johnson was the only Lady Vol named to the Second Team All-SEC. The Knoxville native averaged 10.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg, and started 28 of 33 games played as a rookie. Joining Johnson on the second team were: Alli Smalley (Auburn), Porsha Phillips (Georgia), Victoria Dunlap (Kentucky), Bianca Thomas (Ole Miss), Armelie Lumanu (Mississippi State), Chanel Mokango (Mississippi State), Merideth Marsh (Vanderbilt) and Hannah Tuomi (Vanderbilt).
The Lady Vols will face Carson-Newman in their first exhibition contest of the 2009-10 season on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee will officially tip off the season against the Baylor Lady Bears in the State Farm Tip Off Classic on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased at www.UTtix.com. For more information on all Lady Vol athletics, visit www.UTLadyVols.com.
In the closet vote yet, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged the LSU Lady Tigers by one vote to earn the top spot. UT garnered 112 points, while the Lady Tigers received 111 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or their own players.
"I'm surprised that the coaches put us first, but, at the same time, I'm not surprised they put the target on us," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "There are a lot of great teams in the SEC this year and we will have to come out and play hard for 40 minutes every night."
Following Tennessee and LSU in the predicted order were Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The second six were Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama.
Junior Angie Bjorklund and sophomore Shekinna Stricklen were both selected to the First Team All-SEC squad. Bjorklund, the Lady Vols most experienced returnee, has started in 55 of 66 career games. The Spokane Valley, Wash., was second on the team in 2008-09 with 12.3 ppg, converting on 40.8 percent of her three-point attempts. Bjorklund enters 2009-10 with 130 career threes, just 32 away from third place in the UT annals.
As a freshman in 2008-09 Stricklen led the Lady Vols with 13.3 ppg and 3.0 apg, starting in all 32 games played. The Morrilton, Ark., native pulled down 5.9 rebounds per contest, and was named Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Joining the pair of Lady Vols on the first team were: C'eira Ricketts (Arkansas), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Angel Robinson (Georgia), LaSondra Barrett (LSU), Allison Hightower (LSU) and Alexis Rack (Mississippi State). Hightower was named the Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 14.8 ppg and 3.1 apg in league outings a season ago.
Sophomore Glory Johnson was the only Lady Vol named to the Second Team All-SEC. The Knoxville native averaged 10.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg, and started 28 of 33 games played as a rookie. Joining Johnson on the second team were: Alli Smalley (Auburn), Porsha Phillips (Georgia), Victoria Dunlap (Kentucky), Bianca Thomas (Ole Miss), Armelie Lumanu (Mississippi State), Chanel Mokango (Mississippi State), Merideth Marsh (Vanderbilt) and Hannah Tuomi (Vanderbilt).
The Lady Vols will face Carson-Newman in their first exhibition contest of the 2009-10 season on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee will officially tip off the season against the Baylor Lady Bears in the State Farm Tip Off Classic on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased at www.UTtix.com. For more information on all Lady Vol athletics, visit www.UTLadyVols.com.
Coaches pick Lady Vols to win SEC
In the closet vote yet, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged the LSU Lady Tigers by one vote to earn the top spot.
The Southeastern Conference announced its sixth annual women's basketball preseason All-SEC first and second teams Thursday, Oct. 29, to tip-off the 2009-10 season. In addition, the coaches voted on a predicted order of finish, overall champion and a preseason player of the year.
In the closet vote yet, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged the LSU Lady Tigers by one point to earn the top spot. UT garnered 112 points, while the Lady Tigers received 111 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or their own players.
"I'm surprised that the coaches put us first, but, at the same time, I'm not surprised they put the target on us," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "There are a lot of great teams in the SEC this year and we will have to come out and play hard for 40 minutes every night."
Following Tennessee and LSU in the predicted order were Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The second six were Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama.
Junior Angie Bjorklund and sophomore Shekinna Stricklen were both selected to the First Team All-SEC squad. Bjorklund, the Lady Vols most experienced returnee, has started in 55 of 66 career games. The Spokane Valley, Wash., was second on the team in 2008-09 with 12.3 ppg, converting on 40.8 percent of her three-point attempts. Bjorklund enters 2009-10 with 130 career threes, just 32 away from third place in the UT annals.
As a freshman in 2008-09 Stricklen led the Lady Vols with 13.3 ppg and 3.0 apg, starting in all 32 games played. The Morrilton, Ark., native pulled down 5.9 rebounds per contest, and was named Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Joining the pair of Lady Vols on the first team were: C'eira Ricketts (Arkansas), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Angel Robinson (Georgia), LaSondra Barrett (LSU), Allison Hightower (LSU) and Alexis Rack (Mississippi State). Hightower was named the Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 14.8 ppg and 3.1 apg in league outings a season ago.
Sophomore Glory Johnson was the only Lady Vol named to the Second Team All-SEC. The Knoxville native averaged 10.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg, and started 28 of 33 games played as a rookie. Joining Johnson on the second team were: Alli Smalley (Auburn), Porsha Phillips (Georgia), Victoria Dunlap (Kentucky), Bianca Thomas (Ole Miss), Armelie Lumanu (Mississippi State), Chanel Mokango (Mississippi State), Merideth Marsh (Vanderbilt) and Hannah Tuomi (Vanderbilt).
The Lady Vols will face Carson-Newman in their first exhibition contest of the 2009-10 season on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee will officially tip off the season against the Baylor Lady Bears in the State Farm Tip Off Classic on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased at www.UTtix.com. For more information on all Lady Vol athletics, visit www.UTLadyVols.com.
The Southeastern Conference announced its sixth annual women's basketball preseason All-SEC first and second teams Thursday, Oct. 29, to tip-off the 2009-10 season. In addition, the coaches voted on a predicted order of finish, overall champion and a preseason player of the year.
In the closet vote yet, the Tennessee Lady Vols edged the LSU Lady Tigers by one point to earn the top spot. UT garnered 112 points, while the Lady Tigers received 111 points. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team or their own players.
"I'm surprised that the coaches put us first, but, at the same time, I'm not surprised they put the target on us," said Head Coach Pat Summitt. "There are a lot of great teams in the SEC this year and we will have to come out and play hard for 40 minutes every night."
Following Tennessee and LSU in the predicted order were Mississippi State, Georgia, Vanderbilt and South Carolina. The second six were Florida, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Kentucky and Alabama.
Junior Angie Bjorklund and sophomore Shekinna Stricklen were both selected to the First Team All-SEC squad. Bjorklund, the Lady Vols most experienced returnee, has started in 55 of 66 career games. The Spokane Valley, Wash., was second on the team in 2008-09 with 12.3 ppg, converting on 40.8 percent of her three-point attempts. Bjorklund enters 2009-10 with 130 career threes, just 32 away from third place in the UT annals.
As a freshman in 2008-09 Stricklen led the Lady Vols with 13.3 ppg and 3.0 apg, starting in all 32 games played. The Morrilton, Ark., native pulled down 5.9 rebounds per contest, and was named Freshman of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.
Joining the pair of Lady Vols on the first team were: C'eira Ricketts (Arkansas), Ashley Houts (Georgia), Angel Robinson (Georgia), LaSondra Barrett (LSU), Allison Hightower (LSU) and Alexis Rack (Mississippi State). Hightower was named the Preseason Player of the Year after averaging 14.8 ppg and 3.1 apg in league outings a season ago.
Sophomore Glory Johnson was the only Lady Vol named to the Second Team All-SEC. The Knoxville native averaged 10.2 ppg and 7.2 rpg, and started 28 of 33 games played as a rookie. Joining Johnson on the second team were: Alli Smalley (Auburn), Porsha Phillips (Georgia), Victoria Dunlap (Kentucky), Bianca Thomas (Ole Miss), Armelie Lumanu (Mississippi State), Chanel Mokango (Mississippi State), Merideth Marsh (Vanderbilt) and Hannah Tuomi (Vanderbilt).
The Lady Vols will face Carson-Newman in their first exhibition contest of the 2009-10 season on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tennessee will officially tip off the season against the Baylor Lady Bears in the State Farm Tip Off Classic on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 5 p.m. in Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are still available for both games and can be purchased at www.UTtix.com. For more information on all Lady Vol athletics, visit www.UTLadyVols.com.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
NCAA, Indiana offer special tribute to Brand
About 1,000 people are expected to attend Tuesday night's special tribute for Myles Brand, the late NCAA president who died of pancreatic cancer last month.
The NCAA and Indiana University, where Brand served as president for eight years before taking over the governing body, invited most of the guests. They range from politicians to university administrators and coaches.
Among those scheduled to speak are Brand's son, Josh, Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and Georgia president Michael Adams, who chairs the NCAA's executive committee.
The tribute is expected to begin at 6 p.m. and last about 90 minutes at Conseco Fieldhouse, the home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
The NCAA and Indiana University, where Brand served as president for eight years before taking over the governing body, invited most of the guests. They range from politicians to university administrators and coaches.
Among those scheduled to speak are Brand's son, Josh, Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and Georgia president Michael Adams, who chairs the NCAA's executive committee.
The tribute is expected to begin at 6 p.m. and last about 90 minutes at Conseco Fieldhouse, the home of the NBA's Indiana Pacers.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Breakfast of Champions coming to Murfreesboro in November
Event set for Nov. 25 at Embassy Suites
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raider Athletic Association and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce have announced a Breakfast of Champions set for November 25 at the Murfreesboro Embassy Suites featuring Middle Tennessee head women's basketball coach Rick Insell and Tennessee head women's basketball coach Pat Summitt. Both coaches are scheduled to speak on the current status of women's basketball nationally and its impact across the state.
"It will be a great way to kick off a great day of basketball here in Murfreesboro," Insell said. "I am very humbled at the fact that Pat will give us a little of her time on gameday. It will be a treat for our women's basketball fans and those around the area to come and hear the greatest coach in the game."
The event will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. November 25 prior to the Blue Raiders playing host to the Lady Vols later that evening on the court. Middle Tennessee will welcome Tennessee to the Murphy Center at 7 p.m. in the first meeting between the two schools in Murfreesboro in nearly 30 years.
Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the Blue Raider Athletic Association office at (615) 898-2210. Individual tickets are $25 but do not guarantee a reserved seat. In order to guarantee a reserved seat, patrons must buy a table for $300.
For more information regarding the event or tickets, please contact the Blue Raider Athletic Association.
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - The Blue Raider Athletic Association and Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce have announced a Breakfast of Champions set for November 25 at the Murfreesboro Embassy Suites featuring Middle Tennessee head women's basketball coach Rick Insell and Tennessee head women's basketball coach Pat Summitt. Both coaches are scheduled to speak on the current status of women's basketball nationally and its impact across the state.
"It will be a great way to kick off a great day of basketball here in Murfreesboro," Insell said. "I am very humbled at the fact that Pat will give us a little of her time on gameday. It will be a treat for our women's basketball fans and those around the area to come and hear the greatest coach in the game."
The event will be held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. November 25 prior to the Blue Raiders playing host to the Lady Vols later that evening on the court. Middle Tennessee will welcome Tennessee to the Murphy Center at 7 p.m. in the first meeting between the two schools in Murfreesboro in nearly 30 years.
Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the Blue Raider Athletic Association office at (615) 898-2210. Individual tickets are $25 but do not guarantee a reserved seat. In order to guarantee a reserved seat, patrons must buy a table for $300.
For more information regarding the event or tickets, please contact the Blue Raider Athletic Association.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Steele’s Simmons decides on Tennessee
Thanks in part to a dream she had this past week, Steele girls basketball star Meighan Simmons will fulfill her childhood dream and play college basketball at Tennessee.
Simmons, a senior shooting guard who is among the nation’s top recruits, announced the commitment Saturday night after wrestling for several weeks between Tennessee and LSU.
“It’s always been a dream (to attend Tennessee), but I just needed to know that that was actually the place I am supposed to be,” said Simmons, the reigning two-time Express-News Player of the Year who averaged 24.9 points last season.
“I prayed before I went to sleep every day this week asking for God to show me a sign.”
She got the sign she needed during the wee hours of Friday morning.
After awaking at 3 that morning from a confusing dream in which she saw both Tennessee and LSU “pulling” on her, she fell back asleep and had a second dream that offered some clarity.
“I saw myself in the huddle, and the coach was drawing the play, and it was (Tennessee) coach Pat (Summitt),” she said. “She was drawing up a play for me to hit the game-winning shot at the national championship. We ended up winning the game, and then I woke up.
“I asked myself, ‘Did I really just have a dream about that?’ All of that stuff with having a dream about committing to Tennessee as a child, it was just a confirmation.”
Beyond the dream, the 5-foot-9 Simmons said she picked Tennessee because of the atmosphere.
She informed Summitt of her decision Saturday evening and said she might sign her national letter of intent during the early signing period from Nov. 11-18.
“LSU was an amazing opportunity,” she said, “but what made my decision was that at Tennessee, the girls acted like my high school basketball team. They made everything fun.”
Simmons, who is ranked as the nation’s 24th-best senior prospect on the ESPN HoopGurlz 100 list, needs 342 points to tie former Jay star Clarissa Davis’ city scoring record of 2,759 points.
Simmons averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists last season in leading the Knights to their second straight trip to the Class 4A state semifinals.
Simmons, a senior shooting guard who is among the nation’s top recruits, announced the commitment Saturday night after wrestling for several weeks between Tennessee and LSU.
“It’s always been a dream (to attend Tennessee), but I just needed to know that that was actually the place I am supposed to be,” said Simmons, the reigning two-time Express-News Player of the Year who averaged 24.9 points last season.
“I prayed before I went to sleep every day this week asking for God to show me a sign.”
She got the sign she needed during the wee hours of Friday morning.
After awaking at 3 that morning from a confusing dream in which she saw both Tennessee and LSU “pulling” on her, she fell back asleep and had a second dream that offered some clarity.
“I saw myself in the huddle, and the coach was drawing the play, and it was (Tennessee) coach Pat (Summitt),” she said. “She was drawing up a play for me to hit the game-winning shot at the national championship. We ended up winning the game, and then I woke up.
“I asked myself, ‘Did I really just have a dream about that?’ All of that stuff with having a dream about committing to Tennessee as a child, it was just a confirmation.”
Beyond the dream, the 5-foot-9 Simmons said she picked Tennessee because of the atmosphere.
She informed Summitt of her decision Saturday evening and said she might sign her national letter of intent during the early signing period from Nov. 11-18.
“LSU was an amazing opportunity,” she said, “but what made my decision was that at Tennessee, the girls acted like my high school basketball team. They made everything fun.”
Simmons, who is ranked as the nation’s 24th-best senior prospect on the ESPN HoopGurlz 100 list, needs 342 points to tie former Jay star Clarissa Davis’ city scoring record of 2,759 points.
Simmons averaged 4.7 rebounds, 3.5 steals and 3.0 assists last season in leading the Knights to their second straight trip to the Class 4A state semifinals.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
UT Lady Vol Items Up for Auction for Charity
Great UT Lady Vol items in the United Way of Greater Knoxville online auction ending Friday.
They have lunch with Joan Cronan and season tickets up for auction.
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=93702653
They have lunch with Joan Cronan and season tickets up for auction.
http://www.cmarket.com/auction/item/Item.action?id=93702653
Lady Vol Coach Pat Summitt Feted at the Annual Salute to Women in Sports
New York, N.Y. - The Women's Sports Foundation honored University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball coach Pat Summitt at their annual spectacular evening on Tuesday, October 13, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
Considered to be one of the biggest nights in women's sports for 30 years, the Women's Sports Foundation has celebrated those athletes who've opened doors for girls following in their footsteps. Summitt, the NCAA's all-time winningest coach (men or women), received her special recognition for breaking the 1,000 win plateau in collegiate basketball last season. She was one of three special honorees on the night joining Annika Sorenstam, legendary golfer and philanthropist and Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, on the award's podium.
Nineteen years ago, in October 1990, Summitt was enshrined in the Women's Sports Foundation's Hall of Fame at the gala Annual Salute to Women in Sports event in New York City.
This marks the third decade that the Women's Sports Foundation has presented its annual salute -- Celebrating the Most Accomplished Women in Sports and the Girls They Inspire.
Other award Winners:
Billie Jean King Contribution Award - This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a lasting commitment and dedication to the growth of sports, fitness and physical activity for women and girls. This year's award winner is Gatorade.
Wilma Rudolph Courage Award - The Wilma Rudolph Courage Award is presented to a female athlete who exhibits extraordinary courage in her athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, makes significant contributions to sports and serves as an inspiration and role model for others. Tiffara Steward is the 2009 award recipient.
Sportswoman of the Year Award - Each year, two champions - one individual and one team sport athlete - are honored for extraordinary performances that distinguish them from their peers. These athletes are nominated by sport governing bodies and the public. The 2009 recipients are: Courtney Kupets. Gymnastics, University of Georgia and Jessie Vetter. Ice Hockey, the University of Wisconsin.
Considered to be one of the biggest nights in women's sports for 30 years, the Women's Sports Foundation has celebrated those athletes who've opened doors for girls following in their footsteps. Summitt, the NCAA's all-time winningest coach (men or women), received her special recognition for breaking the 1,000 win plateau in collegiate basketball last season. She was one of three special honorees on the night joining Annika Sorenstam, legendary golfer and philanthropist and Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Universal Sports & Olympics, on the award's podium.
Nineteen years ago, in October 1990, Summitt was enshrined in the Women's Sports Foundation's Hall of Fame at the gala Annual Salute to Women in Sports event in New York City.
This marks the third decade that the Women's Sports Foundation has presented its annual salute -- Celebrating the Most Accomplished Women in Sports and the Girls They Inspire.
Other award Winners:
Billie Jean King Contribution Award - This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates a lasting commitment and dedication to the growth of sports, fitness and physical activity for women and girls. This year's award winner is Gatorade.
Wilma Rudolph Courage Award - The Wilma Rudolph Courage Award is presented to a female athlete who exhibits extraordinary courage in her athletic performance, demonstrates the ability to overcome adversity, makes significant contributions to sports and serves as an inspiration and role model for others. Tiffara Steward is the 2009 award recipient.
Sportswoman of the Year Award - Each year, two champions - one individual and one team sport athlete - are honored for extraordinary performances that distinguish them from their peers. These athletes are nominated by sport governing bodies and the public. The 2009 recipients are: Courtney Kupets. Gymnastics, University of Georgia and Jessie Vetter. Ice Hockey, the University of Wisconsin.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
The remarkable comeback of Amber Gray
It was a shocking image last August for anyone who ever saw the former Ohio Basketball Player of The Year glide effortlessly about the court.
Amber Gray led the Lakota West High School girls' team historic run to the 2008 state championship game.
But there she was, this nationally recruited athlete who went on to play last fall for the famed University of Tennessee "Lady Vols," slowing limping out of Cincinnati's Drake Center with a closed eyelid, double vision and her arm in sling. She had barely survived a stroke.
Her young and promising life had been threatened by a broken blood vessel in her brain a month earlier, forcing an emergency 12-hour operation and desperate measures to save her life.
And even when early physical therapy allowed the 19-year to walk gingerly away from her month-long stay at Drake, a return to normal life - much less college basketball - seemed a million steps beyond possibility.
But now there's a new image of Gray and it is miraculously merging with her past.
To the surprise of her doctors, Gray is back on the court.
A recent afternoon found Gray at her old Butler County high school gym, dribbling a basketball and shooting.
Most of all she was smiling.
"I've already shed tears of joy and tears of gratitude," she says with a satisfied grin after her quarter-speed shoot-around.
"I've been blessed with being alive and having a second chance at life," says the deeply religious Gray.
Faith binds her world and family and perseverance is in her genes.
Gray is a great-granddaughter of famed civil rights leader and former NAACP president Benjamin Hooks, who courageously marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the often dangerous 1960s battles for racial equality.
Hooks and Gray were always close but after her stroke, "Poppa" as she affectionately calls the famed Baptist minister, have grown even closer.
"I talk to him on the phone every day. He calls me his miracle child," she says chuckling.
She took strength from Hooks' lifetime of faith that fueled her own.
During the weeks after surgery, waiting for her vision to clear and her droopy eyelid to spring back, "I prayed every morning for weeks for my eye to open back up."
Eventually it did, as did her ability to walk and then jog.
Dr. Mark Goddard, rehabilitation specialist for Drake Center, marvels at Gray's recovery.
"She had a really, really bad brain aneurism with a lot of nerve pain in her brain and at first she couldn't open her eyes. But she kept saying from day one that she was going to play basketball again," says Goddard.
"Her motor strength and balance all improved dramatically in weeks. In most people it would have taken months," he says.
Gray lifts weights now in hopes of playing with her team again in 2010 and almost all her symptoms from the stroke have faded except for weakness in her left leg, which she estimates is at 75 percent and improving.
She is still a member of the Tennessee team as a medically red-shirted athlete for this basketball season and is still on athletic scholarship.
Soon she will return to the Knoxville campus to resume her classes part time before upping that to full-time classes in January.
When she does return to competitive basketball, Gray will initially have to wear protective headgear to protect the site of her brain injury, but doctors predict a full return to playing among the NCAA's college elite is possible.
Injury may have saved her
Gray injured her shoulder during a March practice at the University of Tennessee and scheduled surgery on July 2 in Knoxville.
Two hours after that surgery, Gray's blood pressure began to fluctuate and fluid filled her lungs. A brain aneurysm - unrelated to her rotator cuff injury - began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke.
Later, a medical helicopter took her to University Hospital in Cincinnati for surgery lasting more than 12 hours.
"I don't know if it was so much a miracle, but God has something planned for me and I haven't gone through it yet," Gray said at an August press conference prior to her release from the Drake Center.
She led Lakota West to within seconds of a state championship in 2008. She was recruited to play for the national powerhouse Lady Vols by legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. Gray impressed Summitt enough last season that she broke into the playing rotation as a freshman.
Goddard attributes Gray's recovery to her youth, athleticism and faith.
"From a neurological standpoint she is making a full recovery. Youth is always helpful and it's amazing how young brains can recovery from this type of stroke. And athletes have a work ethic that is just incredible and to them nothing is insurmountable," explains Goddard.
"But her spirituality has been crucial. She is a faith-based person and so is her family and their support have been very crucial," he says.
Amber's father - former NFL player Carlton Gray - smiles as he watches her shoot baskets.
Without the shoulder injury and surgery, Amber's single, weakened brain blood vessel may have gone undiscovered and even ruptured under the exertion of playing college basketball, possibly killing her.
"We've always known our blessings come from God," says her father. "Whatever we have now is better than her being in a box in the ground."
Amber Gray led the Lakota West High School girls' team historic run to the 2008 state championship game.
But there she was, this nationally recruited athlete who went on to play last fall for the famed University of Tennessee "Lady Vols," slowing limping out of Cincinnati's Drake Center with a closed eyelid, double vision and her arm in sling. She had barely survived a stroke.
Her young and promising life had been threatened by a broken blood vessel in her brain a month earlier, forcing an emergency 12-hour operation and desperate measures to save her life.
And even when early physical therapy allowed the 19-year to walk gingerly away from her month-long stay at Drake, a return to normal life - much less college basketball - seemed a million steps beyond possibility.
But now there's a new image of Gray and it is miraculously merging with her past.
To the surprise of her doctors, Gray is back on the court.
A recent afternoon found Gray at her old Butler County high school gym, dribbling a basketball and shooting.
Most of all she was smiling.
"I've already shed tears of joy and tears of gratitude," she says with a satisfied grin after her quarter-speed shoot-around.
"I've been blessed with being alive and having a second chance at life," says the deeply religious Gray.
Faith binds her world and family and perseverance is in her genes.
Gray is a great-granddaughter of famed civil rights leader and former NAACP president Benjamin Hooks, who courageously marched with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the often dangerous 1960s battles for racial equality.
Hooks and Gray were always close but after her stroke, "Poppa" as she affectionately calls the famed Baptist minister, have grown even closer.
"I talk to him on the phone every day. He calls me his miracle child," she says chuckling.
She took strength from Hooks' lifetime of faith that fueled her own.
During the weeks after surgery, waiting for her vision to clear and her droopy eyelid to spring back, "I prayed every morning for weeks for my eye to open back up."
Eventually it did, as did her ability to walk and then jog.
Dr. Mark Goddard, rehabilitation specialist for Drake Center, marvels at Gray's recovery.
"She had a really, really bad brain aneurism with a lot of nerve pain in her brain and at first she couldn't open her eyes. But she kept saying from day one that she was going to play basketball again," says Goddard.
"Her motor strength and balance all improved dramatically in weeks. In most people it would have taken months," he says.
Gray lifts weights now in hopes of playing with her team again in 2010 and almost all her symptoms from the stroke have faded except for weakness in her left leg, which she estimates is at 75 percent and improving.
She is still a member of the Tennessee team as a medically red-shirted athlete for this basketball season and is still on athletic scholarship.
Soon she will return to the Knoxville campus to resume her classes part time before upping that to full-time classes in January.
When she does return to competitive basketball, Gray will initially have to wear protective headgear to protect the site of her brain injury, but doctors predict a full return to playing among the NCAA's college elite is possible.
Injury may have saved her
Gray injured her shoulder during a March practice at the University of Tennessee and scheduled surgery on July 2 in Knoxville.
Two hours after that surgery, Gray's blood pressure began to fluctuate and fluid filled her lungs. A brain aneurysm - unrelated to her rotator cuff injury - began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke.
Later, a medical helicopter took her to University Hospital in Cincinnati for surgery lasting more than 12 hours.
"I don't know if it was so much a miracle, but God has something planned for me and I haven't gone through it yet," Gray said at an August press conference prior to her release from the Drake Center.
She led Lakota West to within seconds of a state championship in 2008. She was recruited to play for the national powerhouse Lady Vols by legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt. Gray impressed Summitt enough last season that she broke into the playing rotation as a freshman.
Goddard attributes Gray's recovery to her youth, athleticism and faith.
"From a neurological standpoint she is making a full recovery. Youth is always helpful and it's amazing how young brains can recovery from this type of stroke. And athletes have a work ethic that is just incredible and to them nothing is insurmountable," explains Goddard.
"But her spirituality has been crucial. She is a faith-based person and so is her family and their support have been very crucial," he says.
Amber's father - former NFL player Carlton Gray - smiles as he watches her shoot baskets.
Without the shoulder injury and surgery, Amber's single, weakened brain blood vessel may have gone undiscovered and even ruptured under the exertion of playing college basketball, possibly killing her.
"We've always known our blessings come from God," says her father. "Whatever we have now is better than her being in a box in the ground."
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Summitt adds Glance to Lady Vols staff
The Tennessee Lady Vols have added an assistant to Pat Summitt's staff. Stephanie Glance spent the last 15 seasons under the late Kay Yow at North Carolina State.
Here is the University of Tennessee's release on the hiring:
Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee head women's basketball coach, announced today that Stephanie Glance has been hired as the Special Assistant to the Head Women's Basketball Coach for the Lady Vols.
Glance comes to Knoxville after serving 15 seasons under the late Kay Yow at N.C. State, serving as interim head coach for parts of the 2006-07 and 2008-09 seasons. In addition to being the associate head coach, she also served as recruiting coordinator and was in charge of the daily operations of the women's basketball program.
"I am very excited that Stephanie is going be a part of our staff. She was superb as an assistant and as interim head coach at N.C. State," said Summitt. "She did a great job working with the Wolfpack last season and keeping everything together. She is a very positive person, a very hard worker and understands what it takes to be at a program like Tennessee."
At N.C. State, Glance worked with post and perimeter player development, monitored the academic progress of the team, oversaw practice and game preparation, and was the scheduling coordinator. During her tenure in Raleigh, the Wolfpack made 11 NCAA appearances, four Sweet 16 berths and one Final Four.
"I am very excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Lady Vol program," said Glance. "I have the utmost respect for Coach Summitt and her staff. I'm thrilled to be working with a program that has accomplished so much."
Several individuals also achieved national personal success as well while Glance was at N.C. State. During her time on staff, the Wolfpack produced eight professional draftees, one Kodak All-American, and one GTE Academic All-American and GTE National Player of the Year. Glance also helped develop one ACC Player of the Year, one ACC Rookie of the Year, five First Team All-ACC selections, 15 Second Team All-ACC selections and seven All-Rookie Team ACC selections.
During her tenure, the Wolfpack compiled a 285-178 record, averaging nearly 20 wins a season. Academically, the women's basketball team at N.C. State consistently boasted the highest NCAA APR among all teams on campus, as well as regularly ranking among the top three programs in the ACC.
Glance served on the Board of Directors for the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) from 2003 through 2009 and was the elected representative to the Board of Directors for all Division I Assistant Coaches for the same time period. In 2009, she was named president of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.
Prior to arriving in Raleigh, the Clyde, N.C. native, honed her skills as the recruiting coordinator for Southwest Texas State (1993-94) and the University of South Florida (1988-93). She played at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., from 1982-1985 and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Education in 1985.
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