Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Coach Summitt named 11th greatest Coach of all time by the Sports News

University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball head coach Pat Summitt has been named the 11th greatest coach of all-time in a ranking compiled by the Sporting News.

The list of the 50 greatest coaches, appearing in this week’s issue, was voted on by 118 Hall of Famers, championship coaches and other experts and includes coaches from every sport.

“I am honored to be named the 11th greatest coach by the Sporting News,” said Summitt. “This is truly a reflection of the hard work put in by all the great assistant coaches and players who have been a part of our program. The fact that I was selected to such a prestigious list by my peers makes the recognition that much more special. The accomplishments of the coaches on this list are awe-inspiring.”

Summitt, who owns a 1,005-193 career record and eight national championships, is the third college basketball coach, the highest ranking women’s coach and the only female coach to make the list.

The voting panel included seven World Series-winning managers, four Super Bowl champion coaches, and the winningest coaches in the NBA, NHL and college basketball.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Lady Vol Amber Gray undergoes successful brain surgery

University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball player Amber Gray is now recovering from brain surgery.

Gray, 19 had undergone successful shoulder surgery on July 2nd after injuring her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Shortly after surgery, Volunteer TV Sports Overtime broke the story that she would be kept in the hospital after doctors detected what was called an “undisclosed complication.”

Gray’s mother told GoVolsXtra.com on Monday night that during postoperative tests that they had discovered an aneurysm that was beginning to hemorrhage.

An aneurysm occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the cerebral artery which is located in the brain. To correct the problem, Gray underwent a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure last week at the University of Cincinnati’s Neuroscience institute.

The rising sophomore has already been moved to a rehabilitation center according to GoVolsXtra.com.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

Lady Vols' Gray to be taken to Cincinnati hospital

Jenny Moshak, University of Tennessee Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, announced an update regarding Lady Vol basketball rising sophomore Amber Gray.

One week ago, on July 2, 2009, Drs. Greg Mathien and Russell Betcher, UT team orthopedists, performed arthroscopic surgery on Gray’s left shoulder to repair her posterior capsule and labrum.

“Amber had a successful shoulder surgery,” said Moshak. “However, she experienced some post-operative complications unrelated to her shoulder. At this time, she is still undergoing diagnostic testing and will require further rehabilitation.

“We have determined that the best course of action would be to transfer her to a local hospital near her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols’ post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.

Tuesday, July 07, 2009

Maggie Dixon Classic lineup released

NEW YORK -- Pat Summitt, C. Vivian Stringer, and a 6-foot-7 freshman phenom highlight the fourth annual Maggie Dixon Classic.

The women's doubleheader will be played Dec. 13 at Madison Square Garden.

The two Hall of Fame coaches will meet for the seventh straight year when Tennessee and Rutgers will play in one game. Baylor and freshman star Brittney Griner will face Boston College in the other contest.

The last two meetings between the Lady Vols and Scarlet Knights were thrillers. Tennessee beat Rutgers on a controversial finish two years ago in Knoxville and last season, the Scarlet Knights built a 20-point halftime lead only to see it evaporate as the Lady Vols completed the biggest comeback in school history to win 55-51.

The two teams played once before at Madison Square Garden. Tennessee won 68-54 in 1999.

Baylor will be making its first appearance at MSG. The Lady Bears finished fifth in the final Top 25 poll before losing in the regional semifinals to Louisville. Griner made a name for herself in high school with her highlight-reel dunks and blocked shots.

Boston College is in its second year under coach Sylvia Crawley. She led them to the semifinals of the WNIT last season.

It's the third straight season that the Scarlet Knights will play in the Classic named for the former Army women's coach. Last season Rutgers routed Army and Connecticut beat Penn State in front of nearly 9,500 fans.

Maggie Dixon died April 6, 2006, of arrhythmia, probably caused by an enlarged heart. Her death came three weeks after her first season as a head coach, a performance that won the admiration of the academy and all of college basketball.

The inaugural Maggie Dixon Classic was held at Army in 2006 -- a men's and women's doubleheader. Pitt's men's team -- coached by Maggie's brother Jamie, beat Western Michigan and Ohio State routed Army.

Thursday, July 02, 2009

Lady Vol Amber Gray remains in hospital after surgery

Jenny Moshak, University of Tennessee Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, announced this afternoon that Lady Vol basketball rising sophomore Amber Gray had undergone successful shoulder surgery today.

However, sources tell Volunteer TV that Gray remains in the hospital after the surgery because of an undisclosed medical issue.

Gray injured her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Her rehabilitation was expected to take six months. The Sports Overtime team was unable to ascertain the seriousness of the post-surgery medical issue.

Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols' post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.