Lady Vol Basketball Media Day Quotes

HEAD COACH Pat Summitt

Opening Statement "It's good to see you all here today. I'm excited what we've got done so far and anxious to get the season started. I can tell that all of our players made a commitment to get a lot better and we have a different comfort level now than a year ago. Being in practice with this team and watching the accountability unfold with the group, in particular, having Angie Bjorklund playing the way she's been playing. I think she did a great job of getting a lot of her teammates in the gym throughout the summer. Across the board, I can tell you that this team now understands what it takes to really work hard to be at a certain level, to compete with the schedule that we have in place. That's one thing that hasn't changed over the years, and I think that's a good thing. It was challenging for us a year ago. I think we're much better prepared to understand how to go out and compete as a team. We're not there 100 percent, but we're getting there. Our freshmen, overall, I think they've really bought in. Certainly, Taber Spani has been very impressive in the workouts. She's got deep range which will help us on the perimeter and will also help us open our inside game. Faith Dupree certainly has shown a lot of promise in just working in the post position, definitely her high-low game. It will help us to have a player like Faith along with the other returning post players that we have. That's very encouraging. Kamiko Williams is very athletic, skill player, she's just got a lot to learn, but she has a great upside. All three freshmen should be able to help us out. A healthy Kelley Cain could make a big difference for us without a doubt. She's working really hard, we just have to make sure to keep her healthy. Vicki Baugh is a player right now, we're just day to day. When she feels like she's having a great day, she can go and get the reps in and [Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine] Jenny [Moshak] is managing that. And that's exactly what we want. We're not going to force or push a time when she has to be back. It's when she feels that her knees are standing up and healthy and strong, she's got to be strong. Having the back to back tears is almost unheard of in the same knee. She has really had a good attitude overall. I'm anxious to see how she progresses.

On this year's schedule "I could talk about a lot of the teams that we're going to play, for us to have Nikki Caldwell coming back and have UCLA in here that will be exciting. We'll get everybody in Oak Ridge here. She has stayed in close contact with me. I'm really proud for her and for what she has done already at UCLA. If you look at our schedule, and you know that Baylor is going to be a force to be reckon with. They've got a 6-8 center and that'll pose some problems for us. But hopefully Kelley will be able to matchup with Brittney Griner and go head to head with her. At least we've got the size to compete in the paint. As I look at the schedule, I don't know what I was thinking, I think [Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations] Debby [Jennings] probably put this together. If you look at it, it's a typical Tennessee schedule. Texas, I think, is going to be a much, much better team. Coach DeMoss keeps telling me they're going to be a lot better. We're looking forward to having the teams come in here, to have Louisville on our schedule is huge, we've got Oklahoma coming in. We didn't dodge any bullets. To be able to go play in the [Madison Square] Garden and play against Rutgers of all people, that's always an interesting game. All I can tell you is that we're going to work hard and we're going to continue that offense - I always say sells the tickets - we're better offensively, but our defense and our board play, and our ball security is going to be everything to us being a successful team."

On having better effort this year "I think losing and losing out in the first round. They made history, and not in a good way. They know that a lot of people looked at this team and said `why, why did we lose?' I think this team just thought they could all come together, they had a lot of high school All-Americans, and it was just going to happen. It doesn't happen, you make things happen. Shekinna [Stricklen], she's at a different level, she wasn't ready for that a year ago. I think she's one of the most improved players, and that's going to benefit us tremendously. Bree [Bass] is better, we're better across the board. There is not one player that didn't invest, some at a higher level than others, but clearly, this team understands playing together now. It's all about the leaders stepping up now in that regard."

On a younger generation and how you coach "I think every coach out there is thinking about, `ok, it's a different generation'. But I'm not going to lower my standards because of that, not at all. My thought is that we have to raise the bar. I think they get it now, but it's really been interesting to see the people that have invested the most. I can tell you across the board, that all of our sophomores understand that they just can't step out there, put on the Big Orange uniform and win. And that's a good thing."

Is the Ball State loss still felt? "I think it was probably felt more in the offseason. I think when they invested in all the workouts. For [Assistant Athletics Director for Strength & Conditioning] Heather [Mason] to say that in the seven years she's been here, this team has put in more summer workouts than any team that she has been associated with over the seven years. There are some good teams, obviously Candace Parker and Alexis Hornbuckle and that group. This group put in more than anyone, any other team in the seven years. They needed it, trust me, they needed to put all that in. I think because of that, they have a different opinion of not only their individual games, but in how the team invested so that everyone understands that we're committed. If someone isn't committed on a given day, then it's time to call them out."

As a group, do you sense that this group gets it? "I think they get it. I really think they get it. With the schedule we have, we have to get it. We have to get it early and we have to be able to keep it. And it's a long season. You look at the conference, the conference is tough. We go down to media day and I'm thinking we're going to be third or fourth, and what do they do, the coaches put us number one. I'm like `no'. I don't know that we belong there, but that's where we want to get to. We want to have the best team in the league, but there are a lot of great teams right now. There is more parity within the game, not only within our conference, but within the game."

On having a consistent lineup "Well, my thought has been at least eight. We need eight players that understand how we want to play the game, and how much they have to invest. The defensive part of the game, I think we've made some progress there, but that's an everyday thing, that's all about the hard work. We may have more than eight, but definitely if we can get a great rotation with eight, nine, ten people, we'd have the depth to press and run more. If I'm not mistaken, I think we can do that."

On this team's style of play "I think it's going to depend on the opponent. We have a certain way we want to play, but if things are not going well for us, if we're not scoring in our early offense, we have to be more disciplined in the half court game. I think we can do both. That's the one thing we've worked a lot on, our half game, then the full court game, giving them a little more freedom in that half court game, more three out, two in, instead of running a lot of set plays. I thought, last year, in looking back and breaking it all down, we probably spent too much time in running different sets as opposed to just playing three out, two in, and letting them work the high-low and make the reads."

What do you expect out of the SEC? "I think Mississippi State is going to have one of the best teams, not only in the SEC, but they could definitely make some noise outside of the conference. They've got all five starters back and I think that they are going to be really, really tough. I know some schools have had some injuries, but I look at LSU and think this has got to be a team that contends for a championship in the league. I think Florida is going to be good, Ole Miss, you can just go down the list. I think the depth in our league now is where it should've been a few years ago. I think as we've had new coaches come in to the league, as we've recruited better players for our league, there is a lot of parity right here in the SEC."

Are you rejuvenated more than you have been recently given the new slate for this year? "I always think I've got energy and passion for what I do. I've always said, if I didn't, I'm cheating the team, the university and the program. Last year was frustrating at times, I said it was a lot like pulling teeth. It was hard to get them to buy in and commit every day, but I see a whole different attitude and commitment. I'm excited about it; we've got a great staff with the energy they bring. Dean [Lockwood] does a great job with the posts, along with Daedra [Charles-Furlow]. I think our post game is going to be a lot better. I think our perimeter game is too just because of the time they invested in the offseason."

On the size this team has "The thing we talked about is that we could go big. We could start with Briana and go small at the point. Or we could go big on the perimeter. Most likely that would be Shekinna. You could go with Angie, you could go with Taber or Alicia [Manning], we've got the size there. Obviously on the inside with Kelley. Glory Johnson, one thing we're going to look at with her is that she defends on the perimeter more and that she defends more in the backcourt because she's one of the best athletes on our team. That would allow us to get out and put a lot more pressure in the full court as well as in the half court. Again, I think we've got the depth, we've got it in the post game, we've got some young players in there. A healthy Vicki Baugh would make a huge difference for us, but again, that's a total wait and see, nothing forced at all."

On the team chemistry "I think Angie is trying to be a lot more vocal. She is a lot more aggressive offensively and Shekinna is well. They are both shooting the ball very well. That's why I like them both on the floor because it stretches the defense and opens up our inside game as well. Those two, I think they invested a lot of time in the gym. And Sydney Smallbone invested a lot of time as well. On the perimeter right now, we do have players that can knock down the three ball and again that opens up the inside game. Angie really made a different level of commitment in the offseason and so did Shekinna. I think right now, they are standing out as two of the fine leaders on our team."

On Glory getting off to a good start and not playing as well down the stretch "Freshman, she hit the wall. She wasn't by herself now, that's one thing for sure. I do think that she gave in to fatigue at times. That's something we're on her right now, saying `you can't do that again, it just can't happen'. She's responded very well."

On preparing for this season as opposed to a year ago "I think we can make a lot more progress in whatever we're working on because they are familiar with the terminology, familiar with the patterns, they understand how we want to play, whether it's in the half court game or the full court game, both defensively and offensively. We're certainly way ahead of where we were a year ago at this point in time. We've got to get better, but again I think for the most part, we have in what we need in. We don't have to be adding on more layers. I get a little anxious about that. We've got to give them the freedom to play. I'm seeing the fact that they are demonstrating the fact that they will make plays. Stricklen has been the one who has set the tone that we're attacking the paint."

On hosting the first and second rounds in 2010 and 2011 "It's good for our team and certainly our program, our fans. It's good for women's basketball because of our fan support. You saw a lot of venues that had very few people in the postseason. I think that's when you go to places where you can generate the fan support and have the excitement. If we weren't hosting, I'd rather go somewhere where we would have a lot of people in the stands, even if they were cheering against us."

On having no seniors "I'm not even thinking about it. People ask me and I go `we don't have a senior, guess what, next year we will'. Wouldn't it be something to go and win with freshmen, sophomores and juniors? Are we talented enough to win with them? Yes. We've just got to have that commitment every day, and every possession of every game. That really hasn't bothered me, I think it's probably bothered other people more than it's bothered me."

SOPHOMORE GUARD Briana Bass

On how last season's loss in the first round of the NCAA Tournament motivated her "I never want to experience anything like that ever again. So I was dedicated to getting in the gym and working hard every day. I definitely think we will use that loss as motivation."

On what she did during the offseason "My dad and I went to the gym every day and worked on ball handling and shooting free throws. We worked on everything."

On how the experience from last year will assist her this season "I have been telling people that the experience under my belt has really carried over and that I am still learning, but I now understand more of what the system is and what I need to do."

On her specific goals for the season "To be considered one of the top point guards in the SEC and throughout the whole college world."

On her distinctive voice on the court "I actually had a vocal coach last year. We would practice yelling in a classroom and then we came into the gym. I think that is one of the things that helped me."

JUNIOR FORWARD Vicki Baugh

On being a team leader "I definitely plan to bring a competitive mindset. We have a young team, so the juniors have to be the leaders this year. I can also bring a lot of cheerful spirit until I'm able to get on the court myself."

On coming back from her knee injury "I'm doing well. I see myself progressing quite a bit every week. I'm not going to rush or push anything. Coach Summitt told me to wait until I'm ready and that's what I plan to do. My progression is great right now though."

On how her experience of being on a national championship team can help the Lady Vols this year "It showed me what we need to do to reach our goals. It takes an incredible amount of work, but I can definitely see that we have the potential to do it. We're going to have to work our butts off, but I know everyone of our players are willing to do so."

On her thoughts on the freshman class "Kamiko is a great passer, Taber can shoot like crazy and Faith has the strongest mindset I've ever seen in a person. I'm really looking forward to playing with them. Things are looking good."

JUNIOR GUARD Angie Bjorklund

On what she has been working on to improve her game "I've worked on creating my own shot, whether it's off the dribble or coming off screens - just not being a set shooter, but more of a scorer."

On taking on a leadership role on the team "All of the juniors have really stepped up. Kelley Cain, Vicki (Baugh), Syd (Smallbone) and I are really trying to embrace a more vocal leadership role. It has been an adjustment. But last year I had a little experience with that and I think it will carry over into this year."

On what she thinks is different about this year's team "I think this year our competitive attitude has just increased. Last year we were a little more laid back and we didn't have that sense of urgency that we needed. It's not quite there where it needs to be yet, but we have improved as a whole a few steps. I think as the year goes on, if we consistently get better every day, we will be right where we need to be.

On what it is like to play for Pat Summitt "Coach is great. You can never complain about the coaching staff here. They are definitely the best. The thing about Coach Summitt is you can't take one day off. She holds you accountable everyday and she is going to push you everyday to be the best player you can be and that's why I came here.

SOPHOMORE FORWARD Alyssia Brewer

On her freshman season "It was up and down, kind of like a roller coaster ride. It had some good points and some bad ones. The main thing I felt I needed the most work after the season was done was my consistency in play from game-to-game."

On her goals for this season "Like I said earlier, my consistency of play from game-to-game was an issue last year. That was something I really focused on in practice and my hope is put up more consistent numbers to help the team and be one of the best shooters on the team."

On the position she will play this season "Probably at forward, but it I could possibly play a little at center. It depends on where Kelley [Cain] will play and how much she will play."

On how she thinks opponents view her "You'd always like to think that opponents see you as a threat or good competition. I'm not real sure what their view of me is, we'll have to wait and see how the season goes."

REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE CENTER Kelley Cain

On last season "Personally, I've already taken what I needed to take from last year. I'm ready to turn over a new leaf and start playing."

On what she has improved this offseason "I've gotten a lot stronger mentally and physically and gained a lot of confidence."

On how assistant coach Dean Lockwood helps her improve "He helps me pinpoint my strengths and make them stronger. He also helps me work on my weaknesses so that there isn't one particular weakness you can come at me with."

On how the team reacted to teammate Amber Gray's health problems "We were already a close team before, and going through all that, we knew she needed more than just her family. We're her family here too and we all felt for her and felt like we needed to be there for her. I think showing that support helped her a lot."

SOPHOMORE FORWARD Glory Johnson

On what she learned during her first season at Tennessee "I learned that working through fatigue and pain is going to get your farther than anything else. Last year, we struggled a lot because we gave in to fatigue. We were finding excuses for playing bad. This year, we don't take pain as an excuse anymore."

On her individual goals for the upcoming season "I want to score at least double-digits and pull at least 10 rebounds a game. Points are good, but the rebounds are something I can control myself. I can control how hard I crash the boards and how much energy I put into it."

On how the freshmen are fitting in "The freshmen are great. They've fit in really well. I played with Kamiko for a few years in AAU and with Faith for three years straight in high school, so I've gelled with them the most just because I've played with them the most. It's exciting and Taber has a really nice personality and is a great person."

On what improvements she made during the summer "I was here for school all summer long, so I spent the time rehabbing my knee and shoulder and working on my ball-handling skills, left hand and jump shot. I think I shot more jump shots this summer than I did all of last season."

FRESHMAN FORWARD/CENTER Faith Dupree

On the adjustment from high school to college "College is more intense and you have to be more precise about your skills here. It's been pretty tough to balance school work. You have to learn to manage your time. I've done pretty well, though. (Being from Knoxville) has definitely helped. Webb (School) definitely prepared me for college. All of the upperclassmen have helped me with classes, practice and managing my time."

On why she chose to stay home and attend Tennessee "I grew up watching the Lady Vols since the fourth grade. I fell in love with Tennessee. As soon as I was offered (a scholarship) I said yes."

On playing with high school teammate Glory Johnson again "It's going to be a lot of fun. I missed playing with her last year. This year, I'm going to take advantage of having her on the court with me. It has helped me out as a freshman here already knowing her."

On her strengths and what she can improve on "My biggest strength is probably my shot around the free throw line and the elbows. That will bring out the defense towards me and open up the lower post. My defense has been lacking at the college level. Right now, that's what I'm working on the most. I need to learn to do more shot fakes, too, because I've never played against girls as tall as me. That's what I will have to get used to."

SOPHOMORE FORWARD Amber Gray

On her current health "I'm feeling really good. I'm happy to be back and rehab is going well so everything's good right now."

On how her teammates helped support her during her health problems "They were there for me every day. I talked to Shekinna (Stricklen) every day and talked to everybody else at least once or twice a week. Knowing that my teammates and coaches were there for me helped me recover a lot faster."

On how difficult it will be to miss the season "It's going to be tough not playing but I'm just thankful that I will have the opportunity to play again. A lot of people that have dealt with what I went through wouldn't be able to play again so I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity that I have."

On her plans to help the team without playing I think that being a cheerleader on the bench is going to be my biggest role this year I plan on just helping everybody to stay positive and tell them that they can do it and be a cheerleader as much as possible."

On how she thinks the team will fare "We're going to stay positive and hopefully we end up better than we did last year. We look good out there--everybody's listening to Coach Summitt and working together so I think we're going to do really well."

SOPHOMORE GUARD Alicia Manning

On her thoughts heading into the season "We are all pretty upset at the end of last season because we knew we could have done so much more. I think it helped us in the sense that it gave us more motivation though. We know we can't just walk in the gym and have people fold to us. We have to prove ourselves and play hard every game. I'm excited about this season."

On the biggest difference for her between her freshman and sophomore years "I'm a very competitive person and the loss in the NCAA Tournament really hit me hard, so I was in the gym all the time over the summer. Hopefully that will pay off this year. My body has definitely changed as well, with the help of Heather Mason and the summer workouts she had us doing. I think my shot has improved a lot too."

On her role this season "Being another year older, you always have a bigger role in helping the freshmen out, so I've been trying to do that. As far as on the court, it will probably be about the same as it was last year. I'm not going to be that offensive threat, but if I get an open opportunity I'm going to take it. My main focus will be on rebounding and defense."

On her impression of the freshman class "I'm really impressed. They have a great attitude, good work ethic and like to win. We like to win too, so I'm excited to see what they can do and have them show what they are capable of."

JUNIOR GUARD Sydney Smallbone

On how the end to last season motivated the team "It motivates us every day. We got right back to work with conditioning and practices, and all of that and we had a great summer. A lot of people were here all summer so we were able to play a lot of pickup ball together. We've had a really good preseason so far."

On the amount of adversity the team faced in 2008-09 "Last season, there was a lot of adversity that struck us as a team. There were a lot of obstacles that we had to overcome. The whole season was a learning experience and I think we've matured a lot from last season."

On what she worked on in the offseason "This summer I worked o a lot on quickness and defense, and things like that. I want to not be a liability on defense and bring more to the table when it comes to the defensive end."

On her expectations for the season "We go out every game expecting to win and I think that motivates us every day in practice, knowing that our competitors are always trying to get one up on us, each day we keep that in mind and work to be the best."

FRESHMAN GUARD Taber Spani

On making the adjustment to college "Obviously, it is an adjustment, period. Coming from home school, a lot of people would think it'd be a big adjustment but it's really helped me a lot. You had to time manage a lot and stuff, so academically it's been really easy. On the basketball court, of course there's an adjustment. Everybody's so much better and so much more athletic but I think it's been a great adjustment. I've so enjoyed learning how to adjust and I feel like my game is improving."

On playing for Coach Summitt "I love it. I absolutely love coming to practice every day. We just get better and I think our team is really focused this year. The reasons I came to Tennessee were Coach Summitt and the chance to win national titles, which go hand in hand."

On what element of her game she is looking to improve "Coming in, I'm a natural guard and the three-ball is something that's easy for me. I'm trying to improve my overall versatility and continue to improve off the dribble and at pull-up jump shots."

On her expectations for this season "For me, they're team expectations. I want to do whatever I can to make our team the best that it can be. I want to continue to get better every game and compete. Our talent is so great but I think mental toughness is a big thing. If we can focus on that and continue to buy in 100 percent to Coach Summitt's system, I think it will be a great year."

SOPHOMORE GUARD Shekinna Stricklen

On what fans/opposing teams should expect from her this season "They should expect me to be a lot more vocal. I was seen as a shy person but this year I'm much more confident in my game and have been working hard, along with the whole team, to be a lot better. I'm definitely going to be a talker this season."

On what part of the game she worked on the most this offseason "Becoming a lot more vocal and really talking to my teammates. Last year, I didn't really talk to my teammates or coaches but I worked on communicating a lot more and I think it's not only helped out my game but it's helped my teammates out a lot as well, especially if I'm playing the point. I do think I'll be playing the wing a lot more this year, though.

On who the leaders of the team are "I think I've been more of a leader but definitely Angie (Bjorklund). She encourages us and is very competitive. I also have to say Alyssia [Brewer]. She's tough and I think she wants to be a leader.

On the exhibition game against Carson-Newman Thursday night "I'm going to focus on my defense a lot this game and I'm really excited to be able to do that. The whole team is pumped and I don't think anybody will get any sleep this Wednesday night. We're ready to get the season started."

FRESHMAN GUARD Kamiko Williams

On her first impression of Tennessee "I was a little overwhelmed at first because of the conditioning that we had to do and the intensity of the workouts. Thanks to Heather Mason and her conditioning program, I've gotten it together and I'm hanging in there."

On playing for the Lady Vols "It's like a dream come true. I've wanted to play here since I was nine. Sometimes I just have to pinch myself to make sure I'm really here. It's probably going to be the best four years of my life."

On the friends she has made in her first few months in Knoxville "I'm a people person, so I pretty much get along with everybody. The team has been there since day one. I'm free-spirited and I've met a lot of people in my classes that are cool. I also have some people from my high school that came to Tennessee as well, so I've just been catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. It's just been a wonderful experience."

On growing up and playing basketball in Germany "Basketball in Germany is a lot different. They are more physical and get away with a lot more, like taking three steps instead of two. I played a lot of up-tempo basketball in Germany so that helped to prepare me for Tennessee a little bit."

Counting on whom? Summitt wants at least eight players

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/nov/02/counting-on-whom-summitt-wants-eight/

Progress encouraging Lady Vols' Baugh

Forward optimistic about her left knee

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/nov/02/progress-encouraging-lady-vols-baugh/

No. 8 Vols picked to win SEC

Pat Summitt says while she isn't sure Tennessee deserves to be picked to win the Southeastern Conference, the Lady Vols coach expects her team to work to live up to the annual expectations.

Summitt admits she was expecting her Lady Volunteers to be picked third or fourth in the league when she recently traveled to the SEC's annual media day. Instead Tennessee was picked to win it, as the Lady Vols have done 14 times under Summitt.

"I don't know that we belong there, but that's where we want to get to," Summitt said Monday during the team's media day. "We want to have the best team in the league, but there's a lot of great teams right now."

Despite returning nearly the same team from Tennessee's worst finish in the NCAA tournament last season, the Lady Vols grabbed the No. 8 spot in the preseason Top 25.

If the players themselves are paying attention to the preseason hype, they're not letting on.

"It doesn't matter what the rankings say. It just matters that we go out there and show that we can be the best team that we can," sophomore center Kelley Cain said.

With a tough schedule that includes games against 10 other currently ranked opponents and an improved SEC, Summitt knows it will take a lot to prove the Lady Vols belong among the best teams in women's basketball.

A loss in the opening round of last season's NCAA tournament to Ball State stuck with the Lady Vols during their offseason.

They spent plenty of time during the summer in the gym with strength and conditioning coach Heather Mason, who said she hasn't seen a Tennessee team do more during their time off as this team has done.

They'll get their first test immediately when they host No. 7 Baylor and top recruit Brittney Griner on Nov. 15. The rest of their November will be spent traveling to Texas Tech, No. 14 Virginia and No. 24 Middle Tennessee.

"I think they really get it," Summitt said. "With the schedule we have we have to get it, and we have to get it early."

Last year's Lady Vols squad was the youngest the Hall of Fame coach had ever instructed, and this year's squad has three freshmen, six sophomores and three juniors -- but no seniors.

Summitt said having a young team will never cause her to lower the standards she's set for players.

"I'm not going to lower my standards because of that, not at all. My thought is we have to raise the bar," she said.

Lady Vols needs to find its new leaders

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/oct/31/taking-charge-ut-needs-to-find-its-new-leaders/

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.

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.

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.

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.

UT reports secondary violation after Summitt's meeting with recruit publicized with photo in newspaper

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/oct/21/photo-catches-lady-vols-off-guard/

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.

Simmons picks Lady Vols: Dream leads guard to dream school

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/oct/17/simmons-commits-lady-vols/

Baugh testing knee on court

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/oct/17/baugh-testing-knee-on-court/

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.

Anosike offering some perspective

http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/oct/15/anosike-offering-some-perspective/

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

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.

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."

Great Article About Tyler

Tyler Summitt on path to career as coach

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.

Indiana (22-12) at Phoenix (23-11)

Game info: 9:00 pm EDT Tue Sep 29, 2009
* TV: ESPN2

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury are all about offense, with All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter leading a talented cast of scorers in search of the team’s second WNBA title in three years.

The Indiana Fever built their identity on defense, a team that finally ended Detroit’s dominance in the East and has the league’s defensive player of the year, Tamika Catchings, geared up for a one-on-one showdown with Taurasi.

“Those are two amazing players,” said Indiana rookie and ex-Arizona State standout Briann January. “Olympians going head-to-head, going hard. They are two of the hardest-working women in this game. They go at it. Their passion for the game is clear when you watch them play.”

The teams open their best-of-5 series Tuesday night at US Airways Center, where Indiana beat the Mercury earlier this season.

To help make certain Phoenix has a loud homecourt advantage, Suns general manager Steve Kerr bought all 7,000 upper-level tickets and planned to give them away. Kerr said he took a cue from Larry Bird, who bought 9,000 upper level seats for Indiana’s deciding game of the Eastern Conference finals against defending WNBA champion Detroit.

“Both of us were part of championship teams and understand the importance of a packed house,” Kerr said. “For anyone who doubts the WNBA level of play, this is an opportunity to see for yourself. I challenge any doubters to come see the talent, skill and intensity on the court.”

While the Mercury have been here before, this is all new for Catchings, who has spent all eight of her pro seasons with Indiana.

“Oh my gosh, it seems like forever,” Catchings said before the Fever worked out on Monday. “… We’ve worked so hard and it’s finally paying off.”

The Fever defensive standout says she always looks forward to facing Taurasi, who led the WNBA in scoring for the third time and is averaging 23.8 points per game in the playoffs.

“I love playing against the best offensive players,” Catchings said. “Being a defensive player and priding myself in defense, I definitely love the challenge. We and ‘D’ go way back. Even when she makes a good move or gets a shot in my face, it’s all in love.”

Mercury coach Corey Gaines uses the same ultra up-tempo style that his predecessor, Paul Westhead, installed in guiding Phoenix to the league championship two years ago. Five players remain from the squad that beat Detroit in five games two years ago.

“We take into this our experience from 2007, which is such a positive for us and knowing that we can get it done,” Pondexter said, “and knowing what it took to get it done in 2007 is so important and gives me a lot of confidence in this team.”

Catchings calls Phoenix “a great running team.”

“They’re very quick, move the ball, with 3-point shooters in Penny (Taylor), DT (Taurasi) and Cappie, and Tangela (Smith) has been shooting the ball very well,” Catchings said. “We’re going to have to step up our defensive intensity and try to knock more baskets down.”

Taurasi calls the Mercury’s preferred style “chaos.”

Phoenix led the WNBA in scoring at 92.8 points per game. The Mercury allowed a league-high 89.1 points per contest. That’s for a 40-minute game.

“We’re not getting enough shots up, really,” Gaines said. “We’re getting around 85. I want to get like 90 or 95. Really 100, that’s my goal. I need 48 minutes. You give me 48 minutes, I’ll get 100 shots.”

Indiana allowed 73.6 points per game, third-fewest in the league, but Fever coach Lin Dunn believes that it’s more than her team’s defense against the Mercury offense.

“I don’t know that it’s a clash in styles,” she said. “They may emphasize offense a little bit more than we do, and we may emphasize defense a little bit more. But we both want to push the ball. The night we beat them here was a very up-tempo game.”

That 90-83 victory on Aug. 9 gives Indiana confidence it can win a playoff game in Phoenix, something the Fever has to do to claim the championship.

“You’ve got to steal one. When you get one on somebody’s home court, you’ve stolen it,” she said, “because you’re supposed to protect serve. That’s the way it is.”

Phoenix won at Indiana 106-90 on Sept. 2, one of only three Fever home losses. Indiana’s No. 2 scorer, Katie Douglas, missed that game with an ankle injury.

Fever top Shock, reach first WNBA finals

INDIANAPOLIS - The Indiana Fever advanced to the WNBA finals for the first time, beating the defending champion Detroit Shock 72-67 on Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Fever, who were eliminated by the Shock the last three seasons, open the finals on Tuesday against Phoenix.

Tammy Sutton-Brown led the Fever with 17 points. Katie Douglas scored 14, and Ebony Hoffman and Tamika Catchings added 10 apiece. Catchings also had eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Deanna Nolan had 16 points for Detroit. Alexis Hornbuckle scored 15 before fouling out with 18 seconds to play. Cheryl Ford finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Team Harper Competes at 4Kay Golf Classic

ATLANTA - The second annual 4Kay™ Golf Classic presented by Nike, was a huge success as 153 women’s basketball coaches, administrators and supporters of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund®, in partnership with The V Foundation for Cancer Research, gathered in Greensboro, raising over $175,000 for women’s cancers research.

Team Harper, made up of NC State head basketball coach Kellie Harper, assistant coaches Jon Harper and Richard Barron, and the Wolfpack Club’s Chris Combs, finished third on the Grandover West Course with a total team score of –11.

In addition, Jon Harper won the men’s longest drive on hole #6.

“The Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund is very grateful to the ACC and the City of Greensboro for hosting the 2009 Classic,” said Marsha Sharp, Executive Director of the Fund. “The positive response from our sponsors and coaches resulted in a record $175,000 being raised for the Fund, an increase over last year’s $142,000.”

The celebration began with a charity auction and gala on Sunday night. Silent auction items donated from organizations around the nation raised nearly $10,000, but the real fireworks flew during the live auction.

The first item was a pair of tickets to the 2010 Orange Bowl, subject of a bidding battle between the Virginia Tech and Auburn coaching staffs. As the bid grew, the lot was sweetened by Miami head coach Katie Meier offering a dinner for four at Shula’s.

The next three items up for bid were Kay Yow signature items, designated by Coach Yow to benefit the Fund. First, a pink N.C. State jersey autographed by Coach Yow went to Debbie Leonard (former Duke coach), then a pink hat worn by Coach Yow at the inaugural Classic went to Kristina Johnson, United States Under Secretary for Energy and longtime women’s basketball supporter. Finally, Coach Yow’s director’s chair led to a bidding war between Fund board members Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma and board President Stephanie Glance. Auriemma prevailed with a generous $5,000 bid, then doubled his generosity by giving the chair back to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt stepped up to volunteer her pink sparkly cowboy hat for an impromptu live auction item, complete with an autograph to the winning bidder. After the bidding exceeded $1,000, Summitt stepped in and offered $2,000, on the condition that Texas assistant Mickie DeMoss wear the hat during a 2009-10 regular season game. Virginia Tech head coach Beth Dunkenberger volunteered to increase the bid if Texas head coach Gail Goestenkors would wear the hat to coach a televised game. Further negotiations and generosity from the assembled coaches led to a total $10,000 contribution, and Goestenkors and Summitt agreeing to each wear a similar hat to coach their December 6 ESPN2 televised match-up in Knoxville, Tenn., in continued public support of the Fund.

Monday morning dawned into a glorious Greensboro day as 39 foursomes kicked off an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start on the Grandover East and West courses. The format was a four-player captain’s choice, with separate tournaments on the East and West courses. Awards and Nike prize merchandise, including golf bags, putters, sunglasses, and apparel were presented to each of the top three teams as well as to winners of longest drive, closest to the pin, and longest putt.

Team ACC, led by ACC Commissioner John Swofford, won the East Course tournament, while Team Robuck, captained by Frank Robuck, took top West Course honors. Full results are included below.

The day ended with an awards luncheon and speeches from ACC Associate Commissioner for Women’s Basketball and Senior Woman Administrators Nora Lynn Finch and Sharp. “It’s apparent that today’s weather was ordered especially for the coaches by Kay Yow,” Finch said to those assembled.

This year’s event was hosted at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center - thanks to support from the Atlantic Coast Conference, the City of Greensboro, the Greensboro Coliseum, the ACC Tournament Host Committee, and the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). All proceeds benefited the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund.

Local Greensboro women’s basketball coaches and administrators, led by UNC Greensboro head coach Lynne Agee and Associate AD Kathy Roberts, also gave of their time and resources by serving as the Classic’s welcoming committee. The Fund’s founding partners, including The Hartford, Nike and GlaxoSmithKline were also in attendance in support of the cause.

Special thanks go to the following sponsors of this year’s Classic: Nike (presenting sponsor), Harrison Turner and the Bryan Foundation (breakfast sponsor), Guilford Sports Hall of Fame (hole sponsor), Touchstone Energy (hole sponsor and beverage cart sponsor), Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina (hole sponsor) and the Big XII Conference (beverage cart sponsor).

East Course Results 
1st place – Team ACC (-11) – ACC Commissioner John Swofford, Chad Swofford, Jeff Elliott, Amber Elliott.
2nd place – Team Conradt (-8) – Jody Conradt (former Texas head coach), Billie Moore, Mimi Griffin, Chris Plonsky.
3rd place – Team Pepsi (-7) – Brad Corbin, Jimmy Burns, Bob Rusher, Joey Rusher.

Individual Awards: B.J. Chockley (closest to the pin #3), Debbie Leonard (former Duke coach)(closest to the pin #7), Tom Newcome, Sr. (closest to the pin #12), Lynn Davidson (closest to the pin #16), Amber Elliott (women’s longest drive #1), Krista Kilburn (women’s longest drive #10), Jimmy Burns (men’s longest drive #6), Brian Ewald (men’s longest drive #15), Debbie Ryan (Virginia head coach)(longest putt #5), Lulu Eure (longest putt #18).

West Course Results 
1st place – Team Robuck (-14) – Frank Robuck, Billy Daniel, Gerry Herakovich, Bruce Ballard.
2nd place – Team Blair (-12) – Gary Blair (Texas A&M head coach), Steve Stevens, Vic Schaeffer, Charlie Milstead.
3rd place team – Team Harper (-11) – Kellie Harper (N.C. State head coach), Jon Harper, Richard Barron, Chris Combs.

Individual Awards: Charlie Hughes (closest to the pin #3), Jackie Ansley (closest to the pin #5), Dan Delmatro (closest to the pin #11), Kathleen Kunkler (closest to the pin #15 & longest drive #12), Nikki Caldwell (UCLA head coach)(women’s longest drive #2), Jon Harper (men’s longest drive #6), Rob Rayl (men’s longest drive #16), Charlie Milstead (longest putt #7), Marc Bush (longest putt #18).

Candace Parker saves her biggest show for off the court

While Sparks forward Candace Parker recounted her ongoing balancing act of being a working mom, she declared her everyday life would be entertaining enough to become a reality show.

It would be called "Three Dogs, a Husband and a Baby" -- "the reality show I live every day," Parker says, a title that sounds like a throwback to "Three Men and a Baby." Parker's night mostly involves her 3-and-a-half month daughter, Lailaa, sleeping on her chest while she watches reruns of "Roseanne," "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Sister Sister." And with all that television viewing, Parker has an idea for a pilot.

Parker and her husband, Boston Celtics forward Shelden Williams, often walk their daughter and their three dogs, Fendi (4-year-old St. Bernard mix), Neno (16-year-old black pub) and Prada (1-year-old black roddy). And while it's typical for the dogs to run away during the walks, Parker didn't exactly expect the following to happen: "One time we were driving in the car and Prada just jumps out through the window," Parker recalled, laughing. "Meanwhile, Lailaa's socks fall off and my husband is asking me to do something. That's my life."

Not bad. Two other anecdotes reveal some other potential episodes.

Acting presidential

During the Sparks' East Coast road trip from July 9-11, Williams called his former Duke teammate, Reggie Love, who currently serves as a personal aide to President Barack Obama. Williams and Parker wanted to see the president.

This wasn't a first-time visit. Parker, who played for Naperville (Ill.) Central High, had already met Obama at that time. But she obviously still wanted to give him full attention, even if it meant interrupting her feeding with Lailaa.

Said Parker: "When he walked into the office, I took the bottle out of her mouth and then stood up because it's the president."

Then Williams said, "she starts screaming. You don't scream at the president. But he laughed and said, 'I know how it is with two girls."

"I gave the bottle to her and she goes back to being happy," Parker said. "She's a funny little girl."

Blue Chips

After Parker told Tennessee Coach Pat Summitt last winter she was pregnant, she congratulated her and then cut to the chase.

"Where can I send the papers?"

Those haven't arrived yet. But that doesn't mean Summitt hasn't taken the early steps to recruit Lailaa.

"I shipped her out every Lady Vol thing I could get my hands on," Summitt said. "Shelden is pulling hard for Duke, but no way. She's going to be a Lady Vol," she said referring to the Volunteers.

Somewhere the NCAA is digging up its rule book to see if any rules have been broken. Lailaa apparently has other prospects, too.

UCLA Coach Nikki Caldwell, who recruited Parker at Tennessee, thinks the gear alone won't be enough.

"We have the edge because she and I bond really well," Caldwell said. "Pat would have to fly out. I always talk to her and say, 'Hey, little Bruin.' "

The next step entails winning over the parents, with Williams deferring to Parker about Lailaa's college choice.

"She's going to Tennessee," Parker said. "I already determined that. The only thing we have from Duke is a blanket, and we use that for the floor."

So Lailaa will play basketball at Tennessee?

"I think she’d be a good tennis player," Parker said. "We’ll push that sport. My parents pushed basketball on me, not on me but I wanted to play soccer and then they were like, 'You'd be a better basketball player.' I fought it and fought it and then I fell in love with basketball. She’ll probably fall in love with basketball. She'll have more of a Venus Williams body type. Slender, long and athletic hopefully -- 6 [foot] 4, 6 [foot] 5. That would be a dominant tennis player."

Just imagine what the birthday gifts from Summitt and Caldwell will be.

Sparks' Candace Parker keeps the balls in the air

The reigning WNBA most valuable player juggles being a new mom with trying to get her team into the playoffs and winning a title. She's got help and a good sense of what it takes to make it all work.

Sparks star Candace Parker, with her daughter Lailaa, now has to balance basketball, volunteer work and motherhood.

She is on the clock and needs to move.

"What's the quickest way to get to UCLA from here?" Candace Parker asked a van full of fellow volunteers. "I don't want to get stuck in traffic."

The WNBA superstar and reigning most valuable player has to watch the clock these days as she does the impossible: balance her career with being a new mom.

At this moment, she has finished redecorating apartments in Inglewood for domestic violence victims. Before that, she scrambled home to feed her baby, Lailaa. Before that, she practiced with the Sparks for the first time this season -- and none too soon in her view, having missed the first eight games in the 34-game season.

Her day was not over, though. She still had to pick up her godbrother Kenny, who was in town to visit her and her husband, Boston Celtics forward Shelden Williams.

Parker, 23, calls this juggling act a "process."

"It's difficult in any situation, when something new happens, to balance it," Parker said. "Sometimes when you're juggling something, you lose sight of other things."

She hasn't lost sight of the one thing that eluded her and the Sparks last season: a title.

With only three games left in the regular season, she enters tonight's contest against the San Antonio Silver Stars averaging 12.7 points, a WNBA-best 9.2 rebounds and a league-leading 1.96 blocks per game.

Being MVP and rookie of the year, having the league's top-selling jersey and signing lucrative endorsements indicate a popularity WNBA Commissioner Donna Orender says "continues to grow."

Parker knows all eyes are on her. But she is not alone in this balancing act. There are 13 mothers playing in the WNBA, a list that includes four other Sparks, Lisa Leslie and Tina Thompson among them.

Williams, who is a hands-on dad, said it has worked out fine.

"I haven't seen her overwhelmed," he said. "It's hard for her, but she hasn't pulled her hair out."

She has had plenty of people to keep her calm. Last winter, when an anxious Parker told her brother, Marcus, she was pregnant, he laughed and told her, "You try to write an amazing comeback story every year."

She knew he was right. In high school, she came back from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee to lead Naperville (Ill.) Central High to its second consecutive state title. As a junior at Tennessee, Parker won her second national championship while wearing a sling to support her dislocated left shoulder.

Then there was the advice of Thompson and Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt to write her own script. She did, though Parker's expectations were occasionally beyond her doctor's.

She shot 150 jumpers and rode the elliptical machine 30 minutes every day until three days before the May 13 delivery, and resumed two weeks later. When she asked to play in a June 21 game, her doctor said no. Her family thought she was pushing herself too hard.

"Candace is always a very goal-oriented person and wants to set dates," her mom, Sara Parker, said. "I wanted to let her make sure if that day comes and she doesn't feel physically prepared and ready, that it's OK to take extra time."

She finally got the OK to return to the court. Parker's dad, Larry, wanted her to wait but Coach Michael Cooper thought she looked fine at practice, and Parker said she felt ready. It was July 5 and her rust showed.

In her first four games, she averaged 4.75 points on 34.7% shooting and four rebounds -- far below her clip of 18.5 points on 52.3% shooting and 9.5 rebounds per contest last season.

"Some of the things she couldn't do made her frustrated," Cooper said.

She struggled with her timing, stamina and staying low to the ground to protect the ball.

"I got ahead of myself a little bit and didn't realize that it's not just your body performing one time," Parker said. "It's your body performing over and over again with the strain and rigor of a Cooper practice, and the strain and rigor of travel."

But coming back so quickly was "the right decision," she added. A league-leading 12 double-doubles support that. If the Sparks (15-16) make the playoffs, which begin Sept. 16, she expects to be in full form.

"Where I am now is hundreds of percents better than where I started," she said.

The balancing act got a bit easier Aug. 3. Parker arrived at a 9 a.m. practice with a jump in her step. The reason? Lailaa had slept through the night.

Yet even if Parker no longer needs to wake up at odd hours, she still does. She calls the habit part of her "motherly instinct" that also includes singing to Lailaa when she's crying, her favorite song being Will Smith's "Just the Two of Us."

Parker slept 15 hours a day during her pregnancy, and 12 hours a day in college.

"If I get five hours now, I'm good," she said, laughing.

There was another reason she felt awake on this particular day, though. She had eaten breakfast.

"That's a major sign of maturity," Leslie said. "I was spoon-feeding her oatmeal last year and was like, 'You have to have breakfast.' "

Parker has the help of a nanny, Lailaa's grandparents, UCLA Coach Nikki Caldwell (who recruited her to Tennessee) and teammates, but she and Williams are the primary care-givers.

She even takes Lailaa on the road and packs "everything," she said. Yeah, agreed Thompson, she "remembers Lailaa's stuff, but still forgets her stuff."

Sara recalled a recent trip in which Candace, with Lailaa in tow, insisted on carrying the luggage herself.

"I'm stubborn," Parker said. "I do things my way."

Her coaches may sense that, because Summitt and Caldwell sent Lailaa some Lady Vol and Lady Bruin gear, respectively. Parker laughs and says her daughter will be going to Tennessee to play tennis.

On a recent afternoon, she is eager to talk about being a mom: teaching Lailaa sign language, reading books to her, giving her baths, playing peek-a-boo, watching "Nick at Nite" while Lailaa sleeps on her chest. "You're making me miss her now," Parker said.

Yet Parker is loathe to take Lailaa to public events, fretting that people might think she is "showing her off." One exception was when she returned to Naperville this summer for a court dedication in her name.

"I wanted my husband and my daughter by my side when something special like that happens," she said.

She knows this juggling act will face new obstacles when the NBA season begins for Williams. But she still wouldn't change a thing.

"I made the decision to have my child and she's healthy and happy," Parker said. "And I'm back playing the game I love."

Warlick, Caldwell to host fund-raiser

Champions for a Cause co-founders Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell will host their fundraiser: b3 – bikes, basketball, & breast cancer – on Friday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

b3 is a special fall event featuring food, live and silent auctions and a musical performance by country recording artist Matt Stillwell. Special honorees will be Pat Summitt – the head coach of Tennessee women’s basketball will receive the 2009 Inspirational Award – and Bobby Denton, longtime country music radio mogul at WIVK and public address announcer for Tennessee football, who will receive the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.

Admission to the breast cancer fundraising event at the WBHOF in Knoxville, Tenn., is $100.

“We are excited to bring the b3 event to Knoxville,” said Holly Warlick, the associate head coach at Tennessee. “Nikki and I have received such great community support for our Cruisin’ rides – it will be fun to share this event at home.”

For Nikki Caldwell, who is from nearby Oak Ridge, Tenn., it is also a chance for some of the UCLA fans and supporters in town to stop by and attend the event. Caldwell, a former Lady Vol player and assistant for Summitt before taking the UCLA helm, will be in town with the Bruin football team.

“It worked out perfectly to host our event the same weekend that the Bruins were in Knoxville to play the Vols,” said Caldwell, who will begin her second season as the UCLA head coach. “Holly and I have ridden our motorcycles coast-to-coast, and from Knoxville to Key West and New Orleans. It will be great to have a fundraiser at the Hall of Fame.”

Additionally, there will be special guest appearances at the event by UT and UCLA coaching staff members, as the Vols and Bruins meet at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, in collegiate football action.

Since its inception, Champions has raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars to help support the fight against breast cancer through a number of signature events: Cruisin’ for a Cause – a long haul motorcycle ride; Links Fore the Cure – a women’s golf tournament; and b3 – bikes, basketball & breast cancer – a dinner and auction. The money raised through these events supports efforts such as the University of Tennessee Breast Health Outreach Program, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and The Wellness Community of East Tennessee.

Warlick and Caldwell, a pair of Lady Vol basketball alums, got together and started Champions for a Cause in 2007. It is a non-profit (501(c)-3) fundraising organization with a mission to advance and support the cause of charitable organizations who advocate and act to better the quality of life and health for individuals at risk or in need.

Space for the b3 evening is limited. To register for the event go online to: Champions for a Cause.

Coach Summitt tips off United Way drive

Lady Vols coach says smiles can help reach $2,250,000 goal

Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt encouraged volunteers and supporters to meet their community goal and “win a championship for United Way” at the organization’s Annual Campaign Kickoff Tuesday afternoon.

The event, which traditionally begins the United Way of Bradley County campaign, was held at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy. Over 470 people in attendance heard early pledge reports from Pacesetter and Challenger firms that put United Way donations for this year’s campaign at $904,279.

The 2009 United Way campaign goal is $2,250,000.

Coach Summitt said United Way of Bradley County can reach that goal if everyone thinks about what an impact they can make on a person’s life by making a donation.

“Put a smile on your face, and give a little bit more and you can make a huge difference here,” she said.

This was the second time Coach Summitt has spoken at the United Way of Bradley County kickoff luncheon. Three years ago, she addressed a group of United Way supporters, starting off with a rendition of “Rocky Top.” On Tuesday, she officially struck the gavel beginning the campaign to a sea of streamers and confetti launched from different corners of the church gymnasium.

She spoke of the love she has for United Way and told supporters at Tuesday’s luncheon that United Way is her No. 1 charity. In fact, she and then Vols’ coach Kevin O’Neill co-chaired the United Way of Greater Knoxville campaign in the mid 1990s.

“I remember going to the agencies, and returning with a tear in my eye every time. These visits were life changing for me,” she said.

Coach Summitt, who is the winningest coach in college basketball history, said while she will be remembered for her coaching prowess, she also wants to be remembered as someone who cared for others, and United Way is a great means of showing that compassion.

“That’s how you should want to be remembered … how you invest in others,” she said. “I am asking all of you to invest in Cleveland in a positive way by helping United Way.”

United Way of Bradley County Board Chairman Stephen Crass thanked Coach Summitt for “encouraging all of us to make a difference with this campaign. We know that the results will be impressive, in spite of our challenges this year.”

Several of the early campaigns reported partial totals, as their campaigns are still in progress. Others reported totals that exceeded their 2008 pledges. Each of these companies will be recognized at the United Way of Bradley County’s first report luncheon on Sept. 16.

Companies servings as Pacesetter and Challenger firms include Whirlpool Cooking, Whirlpool eXperience Center, Cormetech, Manufacturers Chemicals, Brenda Lawson & Associates, Athens Federal Community Bank, Bank of Cleveland, BB&T Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Regions Bank, Southern Heritage Bank, SunTrust Bank, United Community Bank, Easy Auto/Sunrise Acceptance, SkyRidge Medical Center, Peyton’s Southeastern, Procter & Gamble/Duracell, Cleveland Utilities, Cleveland City Schools, Bradley County Schools, Lee University and Life Care Centers of America.

“Most of these companies are still in the process of holding their meetings so they do not have the final results today; they will help us set the pace, however, and we encourage all of our companies and individuals to get their own campaigns started and make a difference in the lives of thousands of service recipients in our community,” Crass said.

He added that he hoped supporters would “thoughtfully give to help our neighbors. This will be a very difficult campaign with the troubles in our economy and that is even more reason why we all need to help a little bit more.”

This year’s campaign is chaired by Darlia Conn, Janey Cooke, Dan Cooke and Dr. Paul Conn. Rather than the married couples working as team leaders, campaign divisions are divided between the women and the men.

Their campaign division chairs will be announced soon, and will give division results at the Sept. 16 report luncheon.

Tuesday’s kickoff luncheon was hosted by the Cleveland Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Cleveland.

Thompson, Yow, Curran selected for Lapchick Awards

Former Georgetown coach John Thompson, the late Kay Yow and high school coaching legend Jack Curran were selected Wednesday to receive the second annual Lapchick Character Awards.

The three will be honored at a luncheon at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19, it was announced Wednesday.

The award, started by a group including Joe Lapchick biographer and former player Gus Alfieri, recognizes coaches who have shown the character traits and coaching skills of the Hall of Famer who coached St. John's and the New York Knicks.

Thompson led Georgetown to three Final Four appearances, including the 1984 national championship, the first won by a black head coach. All but two of the 78 players who stayed four years with him at Georgetown received a diploma (97 percent). His son, John III, is the current coach at Georgetown.

Yow had a successful coaching career at North Carolina State, leading the Wolfpack to the Final Four in 1998. But it was her 22-year fight with breast cancer that became her legacy and she helped to raise funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Yow and Thompson, both members of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, were the U.S. Olympic coaches in 1988, the women winning the gold medal, the men the bronze.

Curran will begin his 52nd season at New York City's Archbishop Molloy High School where he has won more than 900 games, the New York State record, five city championships. He helped almost 500 players receive athletic scholarships, including Kevin Joyce, Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson. He has won more than 1,600 games and 17 city titles as Molloy's baseball coach.

St. John's Athletic Director Emeritus Jack Kaiser will be honored for his support of the Lapchick Award committee. Kaiser, one of the founders of the Big East Conference, is the only man to play for and coach under Lapchick.

The inaugural group of Lapchick honorees was Hall of Famers Pat Summitt, Lou Carnesecca and Dean Smith.

The award is sponsored by Nike, D'Agostino Supermarkets and HHI Hotels.

Lady Vols release hoops schedule

Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas, UCLA and Stanford are among the team's 2009-10 foes.

The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers released the basketball schedule for the 2009-10 season today.

In addition to the expanded Southeastern Conference slate of 16 games, the Lady Vols will also run the gauntlet of powerhouses tangling with Baylor, Texas Tech, Virginia, Middle Tennessee, UCLA, George Washington, Texas, Rutgers, Louisville, Stanford, San Francisco, Old Dominion and Oklahoma on the non-conference side.

"Another competitive schedule for the coming year," said Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt, who is beginning her 36th season at Tennessee and is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach starting the campaign with a 1,005-193 overall record. "This schedule is exciting and challenging and will help to prepare us for post-season play."

In the first month of the season, Tennessee will appear in three "Classics." The Lady Vols will play host to Baylor in the regular season opener in the State Farm Classic on Nov. 15 in Knoxville; travels to San Antonio, Texas, site of the 2010 NCAA Final Four on Nov. 17 to face Texas Tech in the ESPN Classic, and concludes the cavalcade of "Classics" at the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 13 facing rival Rutgers.

"Those are three great tests for our team," said Summitt. "I'm excited to be opening at home against Baylor and look forward to taking our team to San Antonio to face Texas Tech and to the Garden to play Rutgers - great teams and exciting venues."

In all, UT will be facing competition from nine different conferences including the Atlantic 10, ACC, Big 12, BIG EAST, Colonial, Pac 10, Southeastern, Sunbelt and West Coast Conferences.

"Once again, I'm thrilled that we'll be playing 17 home dates (including the exhibition games) in our arena. Our young team will certainly benefit from playing in front of our great fans -- they will be treated to a tremendous home schedule," said Summitt.

The season gets underway with a pair of exhibition tune-ups in Knoxville as Carson-Newman comes to town on Nov. 5 and an old foe from the AIAW national scene of the 1970's, Delta State University makes its first appearance at UT in 30 years in a game on Nov. 9. The Lady Vols officially open the season at home on Nov. 15 facing Baylor.

The remainder of the November slate includes a trip to San Antonio to face Texas Tech at the AT&T Center on Nov. 17 and back-to-back road games at Virginia on Nov. 22 and a trip mid-state to face Middle Tennessee on Nov. 25. Former Lady Vol player and assistant coach Nikki Caldwell, now head coach at UCLA, will bring her Bruins to Knoxville on Nov. 28 to round out the month.

Tennessee starts the December portion of its schedule with consecutive home games facing George Washington on Dec. 1 and Texas on Dec. 6 before taking a break for final exams. The Lady Vols will resume playing hoops on Dec. 13 facing Rutgers in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13. A new first-time opponent for Tennessee will be Louisville, the 2009 NCAA Championship runner-up, when it visits Thompson-Boling on Dec. 16. The Lady Vols will then hit the road for a pair of games traveling to Stanford on Dec. 19 and then swinging up to San Francisco to play former Lady Vol Tanya Haave's Dons on Dec. 22. Following a break for the Christmas holidays, Tennessee concludes the 2009 portion of the schedule with a game against Old Dominion in Knoxville on Dec. 30.

In January, the Lady Vols open the 2010 side of the schedule facing its fourth Big 12 team of the season as Oklahoma comes to Knoxville on Jan. 3 for the final regular season non-conference match-up. Following that game, the SEC portion of the schedule cranks up as South Carolina comes to town on Jan. 7. This season marks the first time since the 2004-05 campaign that the Lady Vols won't play a non-conference foe in the middle of SEC league play.

January continues with road games at Mississippi State (Jan. 10), Florida (Jan. 14), Georgia (Jan. 21), LSU (Jan. 24), and South Carolina (Jan. 31). Other first month home games include Vanderbilt on Jan. 17 and Auburn on Jan. 28. To open the month of February, Arkansas visits Knoxville on the 4th. UT then travels for an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting at Vanderbilt (Feb. 8) and to Mississippi (Feb. 11). Other February home dates include Florida (Feb. 14), an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting with LSU (Feb. 22), Kentucky on Feb. 25 and Mississippi (Feb. 28). The other February road trip is a jaunt to Alabama (Feb. 18).

In the new expanded 16-game SEC schedule, the Lady Vols play home-and-home games with Florida, LSU, Mississippi and South Carolina this season, to go along with its annual home-and-home traditional rival contests versus Vanderbilt.

"The SEC - from top to bottom -- will be as strong and unpredictable as it has ever been," professed Summitt. "Great coaches and some incredible young talent is going to make a tough league, even tougher. To be sure, the SEC schedule will be extremely challenging."

In the postseason, the 2010 SEC Tournament will venture back to popular Duluth, Ga., Mar. 4-7. When the height of March Madness begins and the NCAA Tournament is announced on Mar. 15, four teams will be heading to Thompson-Boling Arena as women's basketball fans will be treated to NCAA First/Second Round action in Knoxville, Tenn., Mar. 20 & 22.

Other NCAA First/Second Round games will be played at 15 additional sites from Mar. 20-23. The NCAA Regional Championships will be contested, Mar. 27-30 and the season will culminate with the 2010 NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas, April 4 & 6.

View/download schedule by clicking here.

Coaching Legend Pat Summitt to Speak at Dream Game

Pat Summitt, the legendary Head Coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, will address fans following the Dream's game on August 23 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Four of Summitt's former players will be competing in the game-Chamique Holdsclaw and Michelle Snow of the Dream and Candace Parker and Shannon Bobbitt of the Sparks.

Tip-off is scheduled for 3 pm on Sunday, August 23 at Philips Arena as the Dream square off against the Los Angeles Sparks. Summitt will be honored by the Dream during halftime for her numerous accomplishments and contributions to the game. The Lady Vols head coach since 1974, Summitt has won eight NCAA championships and recently became the first NCAA Division I coach (men or women) to reach 1,000 victories in her career. During her tenure, her Lady Vols teams have produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans on 33 teams, 10 first-round WNBA Draft selections, and 30 WNBA players.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the game. Sunday's game is the only time the Sparks will travel to Atlanta during the regular season and will mark Lisa Leslie's final game in Atlanta. Leslie, the three-time WNBA MVP, announced earlier this year that this will be her final season in the league.

The Dream are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference (includes games through August 17). The top four teams from each conference go to the playoffs. Atlanta's next game is Thursday, August 20 against Becky Hammon and the San Antonio Silver Stars. Tickets for all Atlanta Dream home games are still available, starting as low as $10. For more information and to purchase season tickets, fans can call 404.604.2626 or visit www.AtlantaDream.net. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX, at AtlantaDream.net, at the Philips Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.

Summitt Featured in Women in Business Magazine

University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt is featured in the August/September issue of Women in Business®, a magazine devoted to topics relevant to working women, including articles about leading women in this country. It is beneficial to learn from women who have succeeded in their careers, and what insights they offer which may inspire other women to reach for their goals.

Click the image below to view the article.

Lady Vols basketball player going home from Drake Center

Amber Gray, 19-year-old forward for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, is going home from Drake Center Tuesday, August 11.

Gray underwent elective surgery on July 2 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville to repair her rotator cuff. Post-surgery complications led to the discovery of an unrelated brain aneurysm that began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke. She was flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati where renowned neurosurgeon Mario Zuccarello, M.D., of the Mayfield Clinic and the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute performed a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure to clip the aneurysm.

Gray was admitted to Drake Center on July 23 for rehabilitation to help build her strength, and improve walking and swallowing. She is being discharged 2 ½ weeks sooner than expected, and will begin a sports rehab program.

Gray’s mother, Tonya Carter, believes the miracle of this experience is that having the rotator cuff surgery may have saved her life since it led to the discovery of the aneurysm in the best possible surroundings. “Some people are born with aneurysms, and they don’t find out until it’s too late,” she said.

Clinicians at Drake are attributing Gray’s early discharge to her strong spirit and positive attitude, and her coach and teammates say her illness has brought them closer together. “Amber is family,” said Lady Vols Coach, Pat Summitt.

Others attending the news conference are: Amber’s mother, Tonya Carter and Drake physician, Mark Goddard, M.D., Medical Director for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Gray is a high school All-American (Lakota West High School) from Mason, Ohio.

She played in 27 games as a freshman for the Lady Vols last season.

Pat Summitt to kick off United Way campaign

Coach Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, will be helping United Way of Bradley County kickoff its annual campaign on Aug. 25 at the organization's Campaign Kickoff Luncheon.

This luncheon will be held for the first time at Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy and is the traditional beginning of the United Way of Bradley County campaign.

Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy is located at the intersection of Peerless Road and Raider Drive.

Coach Summitt enters her 36th season as coach this year, having recorded more than 1,000 collegiate wins. Her Lady Vols have been crowned National Champion eight times, including most recently back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008.

During her tenure at UT, Summitt's teams have also produced 27 Southern Conference tournament and regular season championships, have made an unprecedented 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans named to 33 teams, 72 All-SEC performers, 45 international participants and 43 professional players representing the ABL, WNBA or overseas teams.

Along with success on the court, Coach Summit has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.

This will be Coach Summitt's second appearance at a United Way of Bradley County kickoff luncheon.

"We were honored to have Coach Summitt help us kick off our campaign back in 2006 and are pleased that she has agreed to return and get us off to a great start for the 2009 United Way campaign," said United Way of Bradley County Board Chairman Stephen Crass.

Crass was a campaign co-chair the year Summitt first spoke at a United Way kickoff.

"This is so special because Coach Summitt makes very few appearances away from the Knoxville area for such events, but has such a commitment to United Way that she agreed to help us again get our campaign off to a great start," he noted.

Coach Summitt cochaired the United Way campaign in Knoxville in 1996 and continues to be an active spokesman for United Way. When she served as co-chair for the United Way of Greater Knoxville campaign, she gave hundreds of speeches and logged incredible amounts of time visiting the various United Way agencies, while also involved in recruiting, running camps and continuing to direct the most successful program in the nation.

She also has worked with The Race for the Cure, Juvenile Diabetes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals, and American Heart Association and American Lung Association. In 1996, she was named "Distinguished Citizen of the Year" by the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a United Way agency.

"Coach Summitt has such a busy schedule as coach of the Lady Vols, that it is amazing to see how much she gives back to the community," Crass added. "Her dedication to helping those in the community who receive help through United Way agencies is an inspiration to all of us that we too can take time out of our busy schedules and help others."

Along with the visit from Coach Summitt, the kickoff luncheon will also feature presentations from Pacesetter and Challenger firms, both of which conduct early campaigns and report their totals at that time. Challenger firms also pledge to attempt to raise 10 percent more in contributions than the previous year's campaign.

The meeting will begin at noon, but food lines for the luncheon will open at 11:15 a.m., and with a large crowd expected, organizers suggest arriving early. Tickets are $15 each.

Reservations are required for the luncheon, and may be made, by mail, by writing the United Way of Bradley County at P.O. Box 193, Cleveland, TN 37364-0193, by fax at 339-1110, by e-mail at unitedwaybc@yahoo.com or by calling the United Way office at 479-2020 or 472-9876.

Deadline for reservations is Aug. 18.

The kickoff will be co-hosted by the Rotary Club of Cleveland and the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland and will be considered a regular meeting for those organizations.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Parker Practices

Candace Parker returned to practice today.

10 Questions for Candace Parker

1. Do you think women's basketball is catching on with the masses? James Fields SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.

I think it is catching on. It's the fastest-growing sport in America. I think a lot of guys are learning to respect our game as well. Our women's Olympic team is going for its fifth gold medal in 2012.

2. When do you think the salaries of female basketball players will begin to approach the salaries of male players? Anne Kenefic JAMESTOWN, N.Y.

I look at it this way: the WNBA is 13 years young. I think eventually women will get to that point, maybe in my daughter's generation, where their salaries will be similar to men's. But we're still starting off, like, where the NBA was back in the 1950s. (See pictures of Parker's career.)

3. Do you think they should create coed-league sports on a professional level? Luke Denker, BELTON, MO.

I don't think it's necessary. I think it's neat that women play our game. Obviously, the strength of men--I really don't feel like we could play in a professional league with them. I think it's great that young girls have the WNBA to look up to now.

4. How are you doing with your new daughter? Has your coach at Tennessee, Pat Summitt, started recruiting her yet? Brenda Goodman JOHNSON CITY, TENN.

When I first told Coach Summitt that I was pregnant, she was like, Where can we send the papers? I had to remind her that my husband [Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shelden Williams] went to Duke, so he's pushing for her to go there. But I'm doing great. My baby is the joy in my life. Obviously, I'm suffering from lack of sleep, but it truly is a blessing to be a mother.

5. How hard is it coming back to the WNBA after a pregnancy? Emily Johnston MARYVILLE, TENN.

My teammates have done it. Tina Thompson came back the same season she delivered her son. Lisa Leslie waited a year. They're still at the top of their game. I don't think it's going to be easy, by any means, but I think it's possible to come back better than I was. I understand my body a lot more. I focus a lot more on stretching and taking care of myself.

6. How do you feel you have impacted women's sports, and what do you believe is your responsibility to young women coming up in sports? Hernan Gonzalez ORLANDO, FLA.

I don't know if I've necessarily done it, but my goal is to allow girls the same opportunities that I had. I was literally in the first generation that could look up to female athletes as role models. I was a humongous Mia Hamm fan. I wanted to be a soccer player until I was in the eighth grade. She was my role model. That's what I hope to be.

7. My 10-year-old daughter Hannah has aspirations of playing college ball. What is your advice for her? Rob Swiger, GALAX, VA.

Go out there and play against guys. That's what I did growing up. I have two older brothers who beat me up and made me tough, and I love them for it. I would always play against them because they were bigger and faster and stronger, and it makes you tougher.

8. Would you ever sign to play in the NBA? Warren Spencer MANTECA, CALIF.

Sure.

9. Growing up playing basketball, did you ever have to deal with negative or sexist comments? Minnesa Khan, JAMAICA, N.Y.

I never really had to. When I would go to the park, maybe initially they would be like, She's a girl, she can't play. But then the next time, they were picking me first for their team. Let your actions speak for themselves. Don't worry about what everybody else is saying. Just concentrate on playing basketball and embrace being a woman and being in sports.

10. Do you ever play your husband one on one? Dan Sutin, TORONTO

Shelden and I don't play because we are so competitive, we would probably hurt each other.

Summitt will be featured Fever guest

University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt will be the featured guest for the Indiana Fever's Inspiring Women Night on July 30 when they play Connecticut.

Things you may not know about Pat Summitt

The YWCA has chosen the eight women who will be named Lifetime Achievement honorees at its 25th annual Tribute to Women event on Aug. 20. They are all women who've led the way on their individual career paths:

Donna Cobble, the first woman on a number of local community boards and the first female chair of both the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and the United Way campaign;

Pam Fansler, the first female East Market President of First Tennessee Bank;

Sarah Moore Greene, longtime educator and first black member of the Knoxville City Board of Education;

Debra London, first female president of a major East Tennessee medical center, now Mercy Health Partners;

Barbara Reid, first black associate dean of the University of Tennessee's College of Nursing;

Mintha Roach, first female CEO of the Knoxville Utilities Board;

Liane Russell, a retired ORNL scientist and a leading researcher; and

Pat Summitt, the most winning coach in NCAA basketball history.

Things you may not know about Pat Summitt, head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team

Education? BS in physical education, University of Tennessee Martin, 1974; MS in physical education, UT Knoxville, 1975

First job? Head women's basketball coach, UT Knoxville

Mentor? Billie Moore, my Olympics coach in 1976

When I was a kid I wanted to be? A basketball player

Book I learned a lot from? The Bible

Philosophy of life? Treat others the way you want to be treated

If I didn't have my current position I'd be? A teacher

Someone I admire I've not met? Celine Dion

My greatest strength? Teaching skills

My greatest weakness? Over-scheduling

Introvert/extrovert? Extrovert

A good day is? A day at the beach

A bad day is? A rainy day at the beach

One habit I'd recommend to others? Exercise

Is caffeine a must? Not necessarily … but have at least one cup a day

Favorite time of day? Sunset

I eat at my desk? Rarely

Favorite work clothes? Sweats

Last vacation? Kona, Hawaii, August 2008

What makes a good boss? Someone who allows you to manage your own program

What makes a good employee? Loyalty and someone who possesses an excellent work ethic

Hardest part of my job? Losing a game

Favorite part of my job? Teaching on the court

A goal I've yet to accomplish? Nine national championships

Most important skill one needs to be successful? Great communication skills

US Congress honors Pat Summitt

There are very few honors Coach Pat Summitt hasn't already won, but when you win more than 1000 games, the accolades keep pouring in.

Today, the U. S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Tennessee Congressman John Duncan to recognize Summitt's accomplishments.

The release from Congressman Duncan's office reads:

The House of Representatives today unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) congratulating Pat Summitt for achieving her 1000th victory as the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols Head Basketball Coach.

The remarkable accomplishment of 1000th wins appropriately occurred when the Lady Vols beat Southeastern Conference rival the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs on February 5, 2009.
Coach Summitt is the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, men's or women's, in any division. Her teams have brought eight national titles to the university and hold the best NCAA tournament record, men's or women's, at 104-20. The Lady Vols have not had a losing season since Coach Summitt took the reigns in 1974.

Aside from winning on the basketball court, Coach Pat Summitt has the rare distinction of an exceptional 100 percent graduation rate for her players. Every athlete who has completed her eligibility at UT has graduated or is working toward the requirements for graduation.

"I have known Coach Summitt for many years and could not be prouder of her and what she has done for the University of Tennessee," said Duncan. "While she has produced exceptional athletes, many of whom have gone on to coach or play in the WNBA, she prides herself on the academic and personal achievements of her players. The dedication and hard work of Coach Summitt, her assistants, support staff, and, of course, players have made the Lady Vols an extraordinary organization."
Coach Summitt's career record stands at an impressive 1005-193 (.840).

Congressman John Duncan

Summitt receives honorary doctorate degree

Dolly Parton isn't the only famous East Tennessee woman getting a Doctorate this year; Pat Summitt is now "Dr. Pat" after getting her honorary Doctorate from the U.S. Sports Academy.

Here is the University of Tennessee's release on the honor:

University of Tennessee Lady Vol Basketball Head Coach Pat Summitt was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy on Tuesday, May 19.

Summitt, who has won more games than any coach in college basketball, accepted her award during a presentation ceremony on the Academy's campus.

The Lady Vols coach developed a passion for basketball as a young child and continued playing through college at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In 1973, Summitt made her first U.S. National Team, winning a silver medal at the World University Games in the Soviet Union. She played on the gold-medal-winning team in the 1975 Pan American Games and brought home the silver while serving as co-captain of the 1976 Olympic Team. The next year, Summitt won two gold medals with the U.S. World Junior Team and was awarded another gold medal as coach of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984.

While a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Summitt was offered the position of the team's head coach at age 22.

Over the past 35 seasons as the Lady Volunteers Head Coach, Summitt has kept her elite program in the winner's circle, earning her 1,000th victory as a head coach during the 2008-2009 season. With 1,005 collegiate wins and 63 international wins, Coach Summitt has produced an unbelievable overall record of 1,068 wins.

Summitt, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, has led the Lady Vols to eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, as well as winning three straight titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998 becoming the first team ever to accomplish this in NCAA women's basketball championship history. The Lady Vols also have 27 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament and regular season championships, plus 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

Coach Summitt has produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans and 72 All-SEC performers. She has also turned out 43 professional players representing the American Basketball League (ABL), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and various overseas teams.

Along with the success on the court, Summitt's student-athletes have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee. She is also the author of two books, has both the University of Tennessee-Martin and the University of Tennessee basketball courts named for her, as well as having her high school gym bear her name.