The depression Chamique Holdsclaw battled throughout her WBNA career was probably the biggest role in her decision to retire from professional basketball, her college coach, Tennessee's Pat Summitt, said.
Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star, shocked fans and her team, the Los Angeles Sparks when she decided to retire in June after playing five games in the 2007 season. Holdsclaw didn't give a reason for her retirement although she had earlier acknowledged bouts with depression.
Summitt said Holdsclaw first told her she was considering retirement while she was playing with the Washington Mystics. Summitt, who has worked as a consultant for the Mystics, flew to Washington "as a coach and a friend" and spent time with Holdsclaw.
"I said, "OK, you've got a game tomorrow. Let's just go play and see how you feel. If it's not in your heart, then you'll know,"' Summitt said at a Tennessee alumni event in Nashville on Thursday. "She told me after that game, "Coach, it's just not in my heart."'
Holdsclaw left Washington and played for a while in Valencia, Spain, returning to the U.S. in 2005 with a renewed desire to play in the WBNA and the Sparks as a new team.
She later said she left the Mystics because depression caused her to become increasingly withdrawn from her team, coaches and confidantes.
Summitt said Holdsclaw hasn't decided on what to do in the future but for now is enjoying life and not being in a routine.
"She just feels like it's best for her not to play if she can't bring it all every night," she said.
Holdsclaw was the WNBA's No. 1 overall pick in 1999 after leading Tennessee to three straight NCAA titles.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Anosike, Hornbuckle Help Lead USA Women to Pan Am Games Gold
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Riding a huge fourth quarter scoring explosion as a team and a 27-point individual scoring effort by Matee Ajavon (Rutgers / Newark, N.J.), the USA Women's Pan American Games Team (5-0) outscored host Brazil (4-1) 30-13 in the game's final quarter to record a 79-66 win and capture the Pan American Games gold medal Tuesday evening in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The victory kept the U.S. team's slate a perfect 5-0 and earned the Americans the gold medal, the United States' first gold medal in Pan American Games competition since 1987.
Rising Tennessee senior Nicky Anosike pumped in 10 points on 5-of-10 field goals with seven rebounds. She added a team-high four assists while recording two blocks and a steal. Lady Vol teammate Alexis Hornbuckle, who tied with a team-high nine rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, added five points. She registered three assists and a team-high two steals.
Playing in front of a loud partisan Brazil crowd that was clad in yellow and green and numbering over 13,000, the 2007 squad did what three teams that came before it were unable to do - win the gold. Since claiming gold in 1987, the USA had earned silver once (2003) and bronze twice (1991 and 1999) (note-the women's basketball competition was canceled for 1995 Pan American Games).
Rising Tennessee senior Nicky Anosike pumped in 10 points on 5-of-10 field goals with seven rebounds. She added a team-high four assists while recording two blocks and a steal. Lady Vol teammate Alexis Hornbuckle, who tied with a team-high nine rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, added five points. She registered three assists and a team-high two steals.
Playing in front of a loud partisan Brazil crowd that was clad in yellow and green and numbering over 13,000, the 2007 squad did what three teams that came before it were unable to do - win the gold. Since claiming gold in 1987, the USA had earned silver once (2003) and bronze twice (1991 and 1999) (note-the women's basketball competition was canceled for 1995 Pan American Games).
Saturday, July 21, 2007
All-Star forward Catchings to miss 2-to-3 weeks
Indiana Fever All-Star forward Tamika Catchings is expected to miss two to three weeks after she sustained a partial tear of the plantar fascia in her left foot in Friday's 89-80 loss to Detroit.
Catchings leads the Fever in points (16.8), rebounds (9.1), assists (4.6) and a league-high 3.15 steals.
"It certainly is unfortunate for us,'' Indiana head coach Brian Winters said, "but we have a deep team and we feel that we can still win and continue our winning edge.''
The Fever (16-5) entered Saturday tied with the Shock for the league's best record. With the regular season coming to a close Aug. 19, Catchings' return in the regular season is uncertain.
"We'll see how it goes,'' Winters said. "You never know with those things. We look forward to the time that she can come back and help us into the playoffs.''
Catchings is a two-time defensive player of the year and a four-time All-Star.
Catchings leads the Fever in points (16.8), rebounds (9.1), assists (4.6) and a league-high 3.15 steals.
"It certainly is unfortunate for us,'' Indiana head coach Brian Winters said, "but we have a deep team and we feel that we can still win and continue our winning edge.''
The Fever (16-5) entered Saturday tied with the Shock for the league's best record. With the regular season coming to a close Aug. 19, Catchings' return in the regular season is uncertain.
"We'll see how it goes,'' Winters said. "You never know with those things. We look forward to the time that she can come back and help us into the playoffs.''
Catchings is a two-time defensive player of the year and a four-time All-Star.
Friday, July 13, 2007
For Pack's Yow, award is reminder
ESPY winner recalls Valvano's help
Yow, who coached the N.C. State women's basketball team to the NCAA Tournament round of 16 despite a recurrence of breast cancer, won the first Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance.
Yow's speech and memories of her former Wolfpack colleague stood as the emotional highlight of the sports world's version of the Oscars, which will be shown on ESPN at 9 p.m. Sunday.
Yow told a story of how Valvano, whom she worked with for 10 years at N.C. State, cheered her during her first occurrence of breast cancer in 1987.
"He made me laugh the entire afternoon," Yow said during her speech. "I was in a lot of pain. That's when I first learned about no pain, no gain."
Yow missed two months of the 2006-07 season fighting breast cancer and enduring chemotherapy. She returned in January and led the Wolfpack to the ACC Tournament championship game and to the NCAA third round.
This is the first year the ESPYs have included the Jimmy V award, which goes to "those who have succeeded despite obstacles and hardships placed before them."
Valvano won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the first ESPYs ceremony in March 1993, where he delivered his memorable "Don't Give Up" speech. One month later, Valvano died of cancer.
Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt presented the award to Yow.
"The determination which she showed this past season embodied the very spirit of Jimmy V and certainly would have made her former North Carolina State colleague proud," Summitt said.
Predictably, Yow deferred the credit for the award to her coaching staff, who made the trip to Los Angeles, and her players.
"They were incredible," Yow said. "My staff and my team had a mind-set of 'I will,' not 'I'll try.' That was so uplifting to me."
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Summitt's appearance a memory of a lifetime
For everything Pat Summitt has experienced during her astonishing coaching career, this might have been a first.
After all, it's not every day the Lady Vols basketball coach poses for pictures with a team that whipped her by 17 points.
In their second game of the Under 16 AAU national basketball tournament, foul trouble and poor decisions offensively by the Tennessee Heat resulted in a 53-36 loss to the West Virginia Rush.
It wasn't exactly what Summitt wanted to see from her team, which lost its first game earlier in the day to the Indiana SYF Players. Still, it didn't stop the Hall of Fame coach from taking time afterwards to sign autographs, and leave an enduring impression on a West Virginia team making its first national tournament appearance.
"When you have a group of kids that have never played in a national championship period, this is a new experience all in itself, but then you're talking about Pat Summitt," West Virginia coach Tony Lucas said.
Coming off her seventh national championship with the Lady Vols, Summitt was asked by her son Tyler to coach his AAU team, affording mom and son a chance to share a unique basketball and family adventure.
"She (coach Summitt) was talking about how she could help us and she was watching me play high school," Tyler said. "She was saying, 'I could help you do this, or I could help you do that,' and I was like, 'All right, let's it see it then.'
"She volunteered to be the coach and it was awesome. We got the guys together and its been real good."
As it turned out, the Under 16 national tournament site this year was Clarksville, Summitt's hometown. This good fortune presented another opportunity for mom and son; a chance to play in front of family that rarely, if ever, see Tyler play.
"My cousin Casey (Atteberry) played basketball (at Cheatham County), and they were always talking about her and I was three hours away in Knoxville," Tyler said. "And now I get a chance to come here and play, so it's been good to have support."
Tyler is also enjoying playing in front of his grandmother.
"She might try to coach a little bit from the sidelines, but they're great support and they're coming out for me and my mom," Tyler said.
Tyler is soaking in the moment, but he's not alone.
"It was a great honor for me," said Indiana SYF Players coach Jeff Allen, who earlier in the day watched his team beat the Heat 62-51. "I have young daughters at home, and they all watch Tennessee play on TV and they can't wait until they can possibly have a moment where they can play for a great coach like that.
"I'm going to tell my daughter that I shook hands and talked to her, because my one daughter is a huge fan, and she's hoping someday that maybe she will be on that sideline with coach Summitt."
Playing for an legend
Allen understands the significance of playing for a coaching icon. He groomed his playing and coaching skills under the management of legendary DePaul coach Ray Meyer.
"He was a great coach and he taught a lot of life lessons to me about things other than basketball, which I'm sure coach Summitt does with her players," Allen said. "So years down the line, they (Lady Vols) will probably remember her like I do coach Ray."
Life in Knoxville
Summitt's impact on women's basketball goes well beyond her seven national championships. She is the winningest coach in Division I-A college basketball history — men or women — and will eclipse 1,000 career wins within the next two seasons.
Around Knoxville and the UT campus, basketball has found its way to the top of the hierarchy, these days even overshadowing football. Much of the credit belongs to Summitt, but she doesn't mind sharing the attention with men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl, who has elevated the Vols into a SEC contender and a regular in the NCAA Tournament.
"It's been tremendous to have a coach like Bruce Pearl come in with his passion, his energy level, his day-to-day commitment to getting it done. I thoroughly have enjoyed getting to know Bruce and I think he's got a great basketball mind," Summitt said.
"I think he's a great motivator. He's innovative in how he does things, but he also has the ability to communicate with the young men he coaches and inspires. (He's) unlike anyone else that I've watched coach there."
Summitt's team drops 2 straight
Early foul trouble makes comeback too much for Heat
Simply playing in the Under 16 AAU national basketball tournament has been a new experience for the West Virginia Rush.
But in their wildest dreams, the Rush never imagined they would play a team under the guidance of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Needing a win after losing their first pool game early Friday, the Rush outscored the Tennessee Heat 17-4 in the third quarter and posted a 53-36 win Friday evening at Rossview High School.
The Rush still have a chance to finish in the top half of their pool, which would advance them to the championship bracket, beginning Sunday. But they have to beat the Indiana SYF Players today.
"We won the state championship in West Virginia and we came down here, and this has been a new, exciting adventure for us," Rush coach Tony Lucas said. "They've played their hearts out all season long for us, and tonight was just icing on the cake.
"I never dreamed in my life that I would coach against Pat Summitt. That was really great and our guys, they had no clue they would ever play against her."
Three players scored in double figures for the Rush, led by Ryan Powers' 15 points. Michael Fortune and Shawn Wood scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
"We had a team meeting before we came here basically trying to get them to calm down," Lucas said. "We knew who they were going to be playing against, so naturally they were a little nervous and uptight."
The Heat have one pool game remaining today against NE Maine, and will play in the single-elimination classic bracket beginning Sunday regardless of the outcome.
Foul trouble and turnovers neutralized the Heat's offensive effort, and gave the Rush too many scoring opportunities in the paint and from the free-throw line.
"We had three starters in foul trouble early and we just fouled too much," Summitt said. "This team played a lot harder than we did. They were the more aggressive team and I think they were certainly the more disciplined team taking care of the ball and not fouling."
The Heat's Trever Pryor sat out most of the first half with foul trouble and finished with 11 points before fouling out with 3:39 remaining in the fourth. Donovan Whiteside also fouled out in the fourth quarter, and finished with two points.
Despite foul trouble, the Heat found themselves tied with Rush at 10-10 after the first quarter. Turnovers and fouls continued to mount against the Heat, and the Rush took advantage, building a 24-18 lead at halftime.
Using their 17-4 scoring advantage in the third, the Rush built a comfortable 41-22 margin going into the fourth. They were in control until the Heat made the game interesting in the opening minutes of the fourth.
Using a 9-0 run, the Heat climbed back into the game and trailed 41-31 on Whiteside's basket with 4:41 remaining. Fortune's basket stopped the Heat scoring spree, and the loss of Pryor and Whiteside to fouls ended any chance of a comeback.
Simply playing in the Under 16 AAU national basketball tournament has been a new experience for the West Virginia Rush.
But in their wildest dreams, the Rush never imagined they would play a team under the guidance of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt.
Needing a win after losing their first pool game early Friday, the Rush outscored the Tennessee Heat 17-4 in the third quarter and posted a 53-36 win Friday evening at Rossview High School.
The Rush still have a chance to finish in the top half of their pool, which would advance them to the championship bracket, beginning Sunday. But they have to beat the Indiana SYF Players today.
"We won the state championship in West Virginia and we came down here, and this has been a new, exciting adventure for us," Rush coach Tony Lucas said. "They've played their hearts out all season long for us, and tonight was just icing on the cake.
"I never dreamed in my life that I would coach against Pat Summitt. That was really great and our guys, they had no clue they would ever play against her."
Three players scored in double figures for the Rush, led by Ryan Powers' 15 points. Michael Fortune and Shawn Wood scored 11 and 10 points, respectively.
"We had a team meeting before we came here basically trying to get them to calm down," Lucas said. "We knew who they were going to be playing against, so naturally they were a little nervous and uptight."
The Heat have one pool game remaining today against NE Maine, and will play in the single-elimination classic bracket beginning Sunday regardless of the outcome.
Foul trouble and turnovers neutralized the Heat's offensive effort, and gave the Rush too many scoring opportunities in the paint and from the free-throw line.
"We had three starters in foul trouble early and we just fouled too much," Summitt said. "This team played a lot harder than we did. They were the more aggressive team and I think they were certainly the more disciplined team taking care of the ball and not fouling."
The Heat's Trever Pryor sat out most of the first half with foul trouble and finished with 11 points before fouling out with 3:39 remaining in the fourth. Donovan Whiteside also fouled out in the fourth quarter, and finished with two points.
Despite foul trouble, the Heat found themselves tied with Rush at 10-10 after the first quarter. Turnovers and fouls continued to mount against the Heat, and the Rush took advantage, building a 24-18 lead at halftime.
Using their 17-4 scoring advantage in the third, the Rush built a comfortable 41-22 margin going into the fourth. They were in control until the Heat made the game interesting in the opening minutes of the fourth.
Using a 9-0 run, the Heat climbed back into the game and trailed 41-31 on Whiteside's basket with 4:41 remaining. Fortune's basket stopped the Heat scoring spree, and the loss of Pryor and Whiteside to fouls ended any chance of a comeback.
Players nip Summitt's Tennessee Heat
Turnovers cost Summitt's team in early game
Not wanting to start their weekend off the wrong way, the Indiana SYF Players rediscovered why defense helps win championships.
SYF Players held the Tennessee Heat without a basket from the floor in the first 5:47 of the fourth quarter, and turned a tight game into a 62-51 win in Pool B action in the Under 16 AAU national tournament Friday afternoon at Austin Peay's Dunn Center.
Scott Wood turned consecutive Heat turnovers into a dunk and 3-pointer early in the quarter, allowing the SYF Players to shift the game's momentum.
"Our coach was on us the whole game because we weren't playing our usual defense," said Wood, a 6-foot-5 forward out of Marion, Ind. "We didn't have the whole month of June, because that's the period you're with your high school team. Coach said if we didn't pick it up then, we were going to get beat. We didn't want to start our weekend off like that."
Wood finished with 17 points, while John Taylor and Marcus Jackson scored 11 points each.
The Heat were paced by Trever Pryor's 25 points. Donovan Whiteside had nine.
"Against pressure we made some ill-advised decisions, we turned the ball over too much," Heat coach Pat Summitt said. "We played too much one-on-one. We put ourselves in the position to play even, or even get up on them a couple of times, because I thought we executed a lot better offensively.
"But we gave up a lot of paint points off dribble penetration and obviously not doing a great job of blocking out."
The Heat led once early in the first quarter, and were within striking distance for the game's first 26 minutes. SYF Players led 13-12 after the first quarter, pulled out to a seven-point lead early in the second, only to watch the Heat pull within 30-29 at the half.
"They (Heat) are a well-coached team and well disciplined and we really didn't play well defensively in the first half, at least as well as I would like," SYF Players coach Jeff Allen said. "I thought our athleticism in the fourth quarter finally got us to where we needed to be. We got in the open floor and created some opportunities for ourselves."
The game was tied twice in the third quarter, and the two teams exchanged the lead five times. The Heat led by three on four occasions only to watch the Players answer each time. Jackson's layup with 20 seconds left tied the game at 44 going in the fourth.
Wood's dunk off a turnover with 6:50 remaining, followed by his 3-pointer off a turnover seconds later, shifted the advantage to SYF Players.
"Scott Wood is a talented athlete and Scott had struggled with his shot earlier in the game, but he's the kind of kid that when he's open he can really kill you and bury that 3," Allen said. "He really helped us in the fourth quarter."
Summitt agreed Wood's five points off turnovers came at a crucial moment.
"It's a game of momentum and they generated a lot of momentum just through beating us to the paint and getting good shots, and also off their defense," Summitt said.
Not wanting to start their weekend off the wrong way, the Indiana SYF Players rediscovered why defense helps win championships.
SYF Players held the Tennessee Heat without a basket from the floor in the first 5:47 of the fourth quarter, and turned a tight game into a 62-51 win in Pool B action in the Under 16 AAU national tournament Friday afternoon at Austin Peay's Dunn Center.
Scott Wood turned consecutive Heat turnovers into a dunk and 3-pointer early in the quarter, allowing the SYF Players to shift the game's momentum.
"Our coach was on us the whole game because we weren't playing our usual defense," said Wood, a 6-foot-5 forward out of Marion, Ind. "We didn't have the whole month of June, because that's the period you're with your high school team. Coach said if we didn't pick it up then, we were going to get beat. We didn't want to start our weekend off like that."
Wood finished with 17 points, while John Taylor and Marcus Jackson scored 11 points each.
The Heat were paced by Trever Pryor's 25 points. Donovan Whiteside had nine.
"Against pressure we made some ill-advised decisions, we turned the ball over too much," Heat coach Pat Summitt said. "We played too much one-on-one. We put ourselves in the position to play even, or even get up on them a couple of times, because I thought we executed a lot better offensively.
"But we gave up a lot of paint points off dribble penetration and obviously not doing a great job of blocking out."
The Heat led once early in the first quarter, and were within striking distance for the game's first 26 minutes. SYF Players led 13-12 after the first quarter, pulled out to a seven-point lead early in the second, only to watch the Heat pull within 30-29 at the half.
"They (Heat) are a well-coached team and well disciplined and we really didn't play well defensively in the first half, at least as well as I would like," SYF Players coach Jeff Allen said. "I thought our athleticism in the fourth quarter finally got us to where we needed to be. We got in the open floor and created some opportunities for ourselves."
The game was tied twice in the third quarter, and the two teams exchanged the lead five times. The Heat led by three on four occasions only to watch the Players answer each time. Jackson's layup with 20 seconds left tied the game at 44 going in the fourth.
Wood's dunk off a turnover with 6:50 remaining, followed by his 3-pointer off a turnover seconds later, shifted the advantage to SYF Players.
"Scott Wood is a talented athlete and Scott had struggled with his shot earlier in the game, but he's the kind of kid that when he's open he can really kill you and bury that 3," Allen said. "He really helped us in the fourth quarter."
Summitt agreed Wood's five points off turnovers came at a crucial moment.
"It's a game of momentum and they generated a lot of momentum just through beating us to the paint and getting good shots, and also off their defense," Summitt said.
Friday, July 06, 2007
Summitt enjoys chance to coach son
Lady Vols leader heads up AAU team in national event
CLARKSVILLE, TN — In some of the darker days surrounding the men's basketball program at Tennessee, there was an occasional whisper about asking Pat Summitt if she could do something to resurrect the program.
A list of promising coaches who failed to deliver had Vol fans wondering if the woman responsible for fostering the development of women's basketball could do the same for the Vols.
Summitt was never asked to coach a men's basketball team, not that she couldn't, or wouldn't be interested, and Tennessee fans couldn't be any happier.
The Lady Vols won their seventh national title under Summitt's guidance this past season, and the legendary coach could surpass 1,000 career wins in the next two seasons.
For every achievement credited to Summitt, there was still the idea of coaching a men's basketball team. That, however, became reality when her son Tyler approached her back in May about coaching his team.
It's hard for a mom to turn down a son's request.
Summitt will coach the Tennessee Heat in the Under 16 AAU National Basketball Tournament, beginning today at seven sites around Clarksville.
"I grew up with three older brothers, all that are here tonight, and it's just playing basketball," said Summitt, who spoke at the Clarksville Country Club Thursday evening, along with former Vol Dane Bradshaw, who is touring the state to promote his book 'Vertical Leap.' "It's teaching people. Could I coach a men's team? Yes. Do I have a desire to coach a men's team at the college level? No.
"I think my passion has always been coaching women's basketball and making a difference in the women's game. We had to grow by leaps and bounds and the men's game — it has been established for so many years. To be able to, in some small way, be able to make a difference is big for me."
Summitt is the second renowned women's college basketball personality to coach their son's AAU team in a national basketball tournament in Clarksville. Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma coached his son Michael and the Connecticut Nike Elite three years ago.
"At the time when he (Auriemma) was doing it, I thought that was really neat, but I never thought about doing it myself," Summitt said. "I never thought about being asked by my son."
Coaching Tyler and the Heat wouldn't have been a reality without Summitt's coaching staff. The AAU national tournament, along with some of the qualifying tournaments, fell right into the heart of recruiting season.
"I talked to my staff about it, and I told them if I can coach Tyler, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would love to do it," Summitt said. "I talked to some of the parents to make sure they were comfortable with it and everyone was like 'Yes, that would be great,' so we started meeting and practicing. I've had a great time with it."
Being the point guard for your mom's team doesn't entitle you to any preferential treatment.
"At that time, he's my player, he's my point guard and I'm coaching him just like all of the guys on his team," Summitt said. "I'm not going to alter my coaching style because its my son or because of the team he plays on."
Two years ago, Clarksville was the host site for the Under 15 national tournament, a venue that was deep in college prospects, including Derrick Rose, Nicholas Calathes, Damian Saunder, Jon Diebler, Maurice Miller and Nate Miles.
Summitt knows what's in store for the Heat, a team made of players mostly from Knoxville Webb, along with a few other Knoxville schools.
"We know we are going to play against guys that probably could go straight to the pros," Summitt said.
Returning to Clarksville is always special for Summitt, who grew up on the family farm near the Cheatham-Montgomery County line. This trip is more significant with the Lady Vols coming off their first national title in nine seasons. Tennessee finished 34-3, beating Rutgers 59-46 in the national title game.
"I think it was really very special for a lot of reasons. One, for our fans, they've been so loyal and stayed in there," Summitt said. "We've been so close, but hadn't been able to cut down the nets in nine years."
This season, the Lady Vols featured the nation's top player in center Candace Parker, along with a supporting cast that equaled some of Summitt's other national title teams.
"Having a go-to player like Candace Parker, and having a Nicky Anosike, who did the dirty work on the boards. Alexis Hornbuckle, who did not shoot the ball well in postseason, but provided great leadership and great defensive intensity," Summitt said. "People brought what they did best at the right time."
IF YOU GO
* The Tennessee Heat will play two games today, one Saturday:
Game 1
When: 1:30 p.m., today.
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. Indiana SYF Players.
Where: APSU Dunn Center
Game 2
When: 7:30 p.m., today.
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. West Virginia Rush.
Where: Rossview High School.
Game 3
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. NE Maine Tide of Maine.
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Rossview High School
CLARKSVILLE, TN — In some of the darker days surrounding the men's basketball program at Tennessee, there was an occasional whisper about asking Pat Summitt if she could do something to resurrect the program.
A list of promising coaches who failed to deliver had Vol fans wondering if the woman responsible for fostering the development of women's basketball could do the same for the Vols.
Summitt was never asked to coach a men's basketball team, not that she couldn't, or wouldn't be interested, and Tennessee fans couldn't be any happier.
The Lady Vols won their seventh national title under Summitt's guidance this past season, and the legendary coach could surpass 1,000 career wins in the next two seasons.
For every achievement credited to Summitt, there was still the idea of coaching a men's basketball team. That, however, became reality when her son Tyler approached her back in May about coaching his team.
It's hard for a mom to turn down a son's request.
Summitt will coach the Tennessee Heat in the Under 16 AAU National Basketball Tournament, beginning today at seven sites around Clarksville.
"I grew up with three older brothers, all that are here tonight, and it's just playing basketball," said Summitt, who spoke at the Clarksville Country Club Thursday evening, along with former Vol Dane Bradshaw, who is touring the state to promote his book 'Vertical Leap.' "It's teaching people. Could I coach a men's team? Yes. Do I have a desire to coach a men's team at the college level? No.
"I think my passion has always been coaching women's basketball and making a difference in the women's game. We had to grow by leaps and bounds and the men's game — it has been established for so many years. To be able to, in some small way, be able to make a difference is big for me."
Summitt is the second renowned women's college basketball personality to coach their son's AAU team in a national basketball tournament in Clarksville. Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma coached his son Michael and the Connecticut Nike Elite three years ago.
"At the time when he (Auriemma) was doing it, I thought that was really neat, but I never thought about doing it myself," Summitt said. "I never thought about being asked by my son."
Coaching Tyler and the Heat wouldn't have been a reality without Summitt's coaching staff. The AAU national tournament, along with some of the qualifying tournaments, fell right into the heart of recruiting season.
"I talked to my staff about it, and I told them if I can coach Tyler, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I would love to do it," Summitt said. "I talked to some of the parents to make sure they were comfortable with it and everyone was like 'Yes, that would be great,' so we started meeting and practicing. I've had a great time with it."
Being the point guard for your mom's team doesn't entitle you to any preferential treatment.
"At that time, he's my player, he's my point guard and I'm coaching him just like all of the guys on his team," Summitt said. "I'm not going to alter my coaching style because its my son or because of the team he plays on."
Two years ago, Clarksville was the host site for the Under 15 national tournament, a venue that was deep in college prospects, including Derrick Rose, Nicholas Calathes, Damian Saunder, Jon Diebler, Maurice Miller and Nate Miles.
Summitt knows what's in store for the Heat, a team made of players mostly from Knoxville Webb, along with a few other Knoxville schools.
"We know we are going to play against guys that probably could go straight to the pros," Summitt said.
Returning to Clarksville is always special for Summitt, who grew up on the family farm near the Cheatham-Montgomery County line. This trip is more significant with the Lady Vols coming off their first national title in nine seasons. Tennessee finished 34-3, beating Rutgers 59-46 in the national title game.
"I think it was really very special for a lot of reasons. One, for our fans, they've been so loyal and stayed in there," Summitt said. "We've been so close, but hadn't been able to cut down the nets in nine years."
This season, the Lady Vols featured the nation's top player in center Candace Parker, along with a supporting cast that equaled some of Summitt's other national title teams.
"Having a go-to player like Candace Parker, and having a Nicky Anosike, who did the dirty work on the boards. Alexis Hornbuckle, who did not shoot the ball well in postseason, but provided great leadership and great defensive intensity," Summitt said. "People brought what they did best at the right time."
IF YOU GO
* The Tennessee Heat will play two games today, one Saturday:
Game 1
When: 1:30 p.m., today.
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. Indiana SYF Players.
Where: APSU Dunn Center
Game 2
When: 7:30 p.m., today.
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. West Virginia Rush.
Where: Rossview High School.
Game 3
Teams: Tennessee Heat vs. NE Maine Tide of Maine.
When: 1:30 p.m., Saturday.
Where: Rossview High School
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
DeMoss named newest Women's Basketball assistant coach
AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Texas women’s basketball head coach Gail Goestenkors completed her staff Tuesday with the hiring of Mickie DeMoss, head coach at The University of Kentucky from 2003-07 and an associate head coach at The University of Tennessee from 1985-2003.
DeMoss’s appointment is effective July 15, 2007.
Considered one of the top coaches in women’s basketball, DeMoss compiled a 71-56 record, including consecutive 20-win seasons, and three post-season appearances (one NCAA and two WNIT) while the Kentucky Wildcats head coach. She was 2005-06 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. DeMoss’ teams attracted record attendance figures during her time as head coach. Every one of her players who completed their eligibility graduated as well.
Under legendary head coach Pat Summitt, DeMoss was part of six NCAA national championship efforts and 13 NCAA Final Four appearances as part of the Lady Vols coaching staff, and was considered among the most effective recruiters in the nation.
Prior to her time at Tennessee, she was assistant coach at Auburn University (1983-85) and at Memphis State (1977-79) and was a head coach at The University of Florida (1979-83). DeMoss received her undergraduate degree at Louisiana Tech University in 1977 and a master’s degree in education at Memphis State University in 1979.
"Months ago, I left the coaching profession -- to retire, really -- and take my first break from the game of basketball," DeMoss said. "It was not an easy decision, but one I truly needed to make.
"My time off was substantial. It was unprecedented in my past personal history. These months allowed me to reassess what I wanted to do. I learned what my personal comfort zone and preferences would be in any work environment.
"There were many opportunities presented to me, not all of which were in sports," DeMoss concluded. "Frankly, the situation at Texas is the only job in basketball that would take me out of retirement. I am very comfortable with this decision to move forward and to work for Gail and The University."
"We have a strong, experienced staff of assistant coaches, and all of us are excited to take on the challenges ahead," noted Goestenkors. "We have individuals familiar with building championship teams, and that is what Texas stands for -- excellence."
DeMoss’s appointment is effective July 15, 2007.
Considered one of the top coaches in women’s basketball, DeMoss compiled a 71-56 record, including consecutive 20-win seasons, and three post-season appearances (one NCAA and two WNIT) while the Kentucky Wildcats head coach. She was 2005-06 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year. DeMoss’ teams attracted record attendance figures during her time as head coach. Every one of her players who completed their eligibility graduated as well.
Under legendary head coach Pat Summitt, DeMoss was part of six NCAA national championship efforts and 13 NCAA Final Four appearances as part of the Lady Vols coaching staff, and was considered among the most effective recruiters in the nation.
Prior to her time at Tennessee, she was assistant coach at Auburn University (1983-85) and at Memphis State (1977-79) and was a head coach at The University of Florida (1979-83). DeMoss received her undergraduate degree at Louisiana Tech University in 1977 and a master’s degree in education at Memphis State University in 1979.
"Months ago, I left the coaching profession -- to retire, really -- and take my first break from the game of basketball," DeMoss said. "It was not an easy decision, but one I truly needed to make.
"My time off was substantial. It was unprecedented in my past personal history. These months allowed me to reassess what I wanted to do. I learned what my personal comfort zone and preferences would be in any work environment.
"There were many opportunities presented to me, not all of which were in sports," DeMoss concluded. "Frankly, the situation at Texas is the only job in basketball that would take me out of retirement. I am very comfortable with this decision to move forward and to work for Gail and The University."
"We have a strong, experienced staff of assistant coaches, and all of us are excited to take on the challenges ahead," noted Goestenkors. "We have individuals familiar with building championship teams, and that is what Texas stands for -- excellence."
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Pat Summitt wins another award
University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt has been named the 2007 Dick Enberg Award winner by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
Coach Summitt received her award July 1 at the San Diego Hotel and Marina Hotel as part of the 19th annual CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame® induction ceremonies. With Dick Enberg in London at Wimbledon, the award will be presented by his nephew, Jon.
Established in 1997, the Dick Enberg Award is given annually to a person whose actions and commitment have furthered the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics.
The award was created in part to recognize Enberg's passion and support of the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program for more than 20 years, as well as his dedication to education for more than four decades.
DICK ENBERG AWARD WINNERS
1999 Dean Smith
2000 Bill Russell
2001 Donna Shalala
2002 Alan Page
2003 Tom Osborne
2004 Ted Leland
2005 Father Theodore Hesburgh
2006 Pres. Gerald R. Ford
2007 Pat Summitt
Coach Summitt received her award July 1 at the San Diego Hotel and Marina Hotel as part of the 19th annual CoSIDA Academic All-America Hall of Fame® induction ceremonies. With Dick Enberg in London at Wimbledon, the award will be presented by his nephew, Jon.
Established in 1997, the Dick Enberg Award is given annually to a person whose actions and commitment have furthered the meaning and reach of the Academic All-America Teams Program and/or the student-athlete while promoting the values of education and academics.
The award was created in part to recognize Enberg's passion and support of the CoSIDA Academic All-America® program for more than 20 years, as well as his dedication to education for more than four decades.
DICK ENBERG AWARD WINNERS
1999 Dean Smith
2000 Bill Russell
2001 Donna Shalala
2002 Alan Page
2003 Tom Osborne
2004 Ted Leland
2005 Father Theodore Hesburgh
2006 Pres. Gerald R. Ford
2007 Pat Summitt
Monday, June 25, 2007
Lady Vols get six ESPY nominations
The University of Tennessee tied the Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts to lead the way with six ESPY nominations this year.
ESPN announced the nominees Monday morning. Fans will vote for the winners in 38 categories, and the awards show airs July 15 from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.
The University of Tennessee is nominated for six awards, including Best Team, Best Female Athlete, Best Female College Athlete (2), Best Coach and the Under Armor Undeniable Performance.
The National Champion Lady Vol basketball team is nominated for Best Team along with the Florida men's basketball and football squads, the San Antonio Spurs, the Colts and the St. Louis Cardinals. Women have won the ESPY for Best Team twice: the Connecticut basketball team in 1996 and the U.S. World Cup soccer team in 2000.
For the best coach/manager award, Coach Summitt is up against back to back NCAA men's basketball champion Billy Donovan (Florida Gators), Super Bowl champion Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts), Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).
Candace Parker will battle the WNBA's Lisa Leslie, Arizona softball's Taryne Mowatt and golfer Lorena Ochoa for Best Female Athlete.
Monica Abbott joins Parker in the category Best Female Collegiate Athlete along with Kerri Hanks (Notre Dame -Soccer), Kara Lynn Joyce (Georgia -Swimming) and Taryn Mowatt (Arizona- Softball).
The last award UT is nominated for is the Under Armor Undeniable Performance Award. The NCAA Champion basketball team will be up against Arizona's softball team, Nebraska's volleyball team, North Carolina's soccer team, Northwestern's lacrosse team and the Wisconsin women's hockey team.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who will co-host the event with ABC late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, is nominated in three categories, including Best Male Athlete.
Tennessee has won several ESPY's over the years. Chamique Holdsclaw's took home top Female Athlete of the Year and Women's Basketball Player of the Year in 1999. Holdsclaw also won the Women's Basketball Player of the year award in 1998 as did Tamika Catchings in 2001. ESPN also gave the ESPY Award for Co-Team of the Decade (1990's) to the Lady Vol basketball team after the team one four National Championships during the decade.
BEST TEAM
Tennessee Women's Basketball
Florida Men's Basketball
Florida Football
San Antonio Spurs
Indianapolis Colts
St. Louis Cardinals
BEST FEMALE ATHELTE
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball
Lisa Leslie, WNBA
Taryne Mowatt, Arizona Softball
Lorena Ochoa, Golf
BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Monica Abbott, Tennessee Softball
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball
Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame Soccer
Kara Lynn Joyce, Georgia Swimming
Taryn Mowatt, Arizona Softball
BEST COACH
Pat Summitt, Tennessee Volunteers
Billy Donovan, Florida Gators
Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts
Jim Leyland, Detroit Tigers
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
UNDER ARMOR UNDENIABLE PERFORMANCE
Lady Vol Basketball
Arizona Softball
Nebraska Volleyball
North Carolina Soccer
Northwestern Lacrosse
Wisconsin Hockey
ESPN announced the nominees Monday morning. Fans will vote for the winners in 38 categories, and the awards show airs July 15 from Hollywood's Kodak Theatre.
The University of Tennessee is nominated for six awards, including Best Team, Best Female Athlete, Best Female College Athlete (2), Best Coach and the Under Armor Undeniable Performance.
The National Champion Lady Vol basketball team is nominated for Best Team along with the Florida men's basketball and football squads, the San Antonio Spurs, the Colts and the St. Louis Cardinals. Women have won the ESPY for Best Team twice: the Connecticut basketball team in 1996 and the U.S. World Cup soccer team in 2000.
For the best coach/manager award, Coach Summitt is up against back to back NCAA men's basketball champion Billy Donovan (Florida Gators), Super Bowl champion Tony Dungy (Indianapolis Colts), Jim Leyland (Detroit Tigers) and Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs).
Candace Parker will battle the WNBA's Lisa Leslie, Arizona softball's Taryne Mowatt and golfer Lorena Ochoa for Best Female Athlete.
Monica Abbott joins Parker in the category Best Female Collegiate Athlete along with Kerri Hanks (Notre Dame -Soccer), Kara Lynn Joyce (Georgia -Swimming) and Taryn Mowatt (Arizona- Softball).
The last award UT is nominated for is the Under Armor Undeniable Performance Award. The NCAA Champion basketball team will be up against Arizona's softball team, Nebraska's volleyball team, North Carolina's soccer team, Northwestern's lacrosse team and the Wisconsin women's hockey team.
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James, who will co-host the event with ABC late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, is nominated in three categories, including Best Male Athlete.
Tennessee has won several ESPY's over the years. Chamique Holdsclaw's took home top Female Athlete of the Year and Women's Basketball Player of the Year in 1999. Holdsclaw also won the Women's Basketball Player of the year award in 1998 as did Tamika Catchings in 2001. ESPN also gave the ESPY Award for Co-Team of the Decade (1990's) to the Lady Vol basketball team after the team one four National Championships during the decade.
BEST TEAM
Tennessee Women's Basketball
Florida Men's Basketball
Florida Football
San Antonio Spurs
Indianapolis Colts
St. Louis Cardinals
BEST FEMALE ATHELTE
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball
Lisa Leslie, WNBA
Taryne Mowatt, Arizona Softball
Lorena Ochoa, Golf
BEST FEMALE COLLEGE ATHLETE
Monica Abbott, Tennessee Softball
Candace Parker, Tennessee Basketball
Kerri Hanks, Notre Dame Soccer
Kara Lynn Joyce, Georgia Swimming
Taryn Mowatt, Arizona Softball
BEST COACH
Pat Summitt, Tennessee Volunteers
Billy Donovan, Florida Gators
Tony Dungy, Indianapolis Colts
Jim Leyland, Detroit Tigers
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
UNDER ARMOR UNDENIABLE PERFORMANCE
Lady Vol Basketball
Arizona Softball
Nebraska Volleyball
North Carolina Soccer
Northwestern Lacrosse
Wisconsin Hockey
Lady Vols' Summitt, Parker Sweep TSWA Women's Basketball Awards
NASHVILLE – Tennessee and Vanderbilt swept the men’s and women’s college player and coach of the year awards for the 2006-07 season, the Tennessee Sports Writers Association announced today.
Candace Parker was named the state’s women’s basketball player of the year while Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt was named coach of the year.
On the men’s side, Vanderbilt’s Derrick Byars and coach Kevin Stallings garnered the top awards.
Parker was named player of the year on the women’s side for the second straight year. The sophomore was named State Farm Player of the Year and was named Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four as she helped the Lady Vols to the NCAA championship.
Summitt, the winningest basketball coach for men or women, won her seventh national championship when the Lady Vols defeated Rutgers. Summitt guided the Lady Vols to a 34-3 record and top national seed.
Byars helped lead Vanderbilt’s resurgence, which included an appearance in the NCAA round of 16. The senior from Memphis was among the league leaders in scoring, three-pointers per game, field goal and field goal percentage, free throw percentage and assists while being named SEC Player of the Year.
Stallings was named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Commodores to a 22-12 mark and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Vanderbilt overcame a 1-3 start and advanced to the Sweet 16, losing by one-point to eventual runner-up Georgetown. The Commodores defeated six nationally-ranked teams, including national champion Florida, and swept traditional power Kentucky for the second straight season.
The players and coaches of the year will be presented their awards during the annual TSWA Convention in July in Nashville.
Capsules for TSWA Players and Coaches of the Year
Men’s Player of the Year
Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt University
Senior, Guard/Forward, Memphis, Tenn.
Named 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the year and unanimous First-Team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches … helped lead the Commodores to a 22-12 overall record, the second most league wins in the SEC (10) and a visit to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament … finished the year ranked among the SEC leaders in a league-high nine statistical categories: scoring (fourth at 17.0), 3-pointers per game (eighth at 2.32), field goal percentage (ninth at .457), 3-point field goal percentage (ninth at .373), steals (11th at 1.41), free throw percentage (12th at .711), assists (12th at 3.41), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.45-to-1) and rebounding (23rd at 4.9) … finished second in scoring with 19.1 points per game during league play … A two-time SEC Player of the Week selection, Byars led the Commodores in scoring 17 times during the season, including 14 of 20 games from the start of conference play through the postseason. He also led Vanderbilt in scoring in seven of its 10 games against ranked opponents, averaging 20.2 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from 3-point range … netted 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting in Vanderbilt’s 83-70 victory against then-No. 1 Florida. He posted 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go with seven rebounds in an 82-81 win over then-No. 16 Tennessee. He willed Vanderbilt to the Sweet 16, pouring in 19 of his game-high 27 points after intermission during the Commodores’ 78-74 double-overtime thriller against then-No. 13 Washington State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … finished the year as the team leader in scoring (17.0), assists (3.4) and steals (1.4).
Men’s Coach of the Year
Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt University
Named the 2007 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year … orchestrated the Commodores standout 2007 campaign that was capped off with the school’s second visit to the Sweet 16 in the last four years … after starting the season 1-3 and losing the services of starting center Alan Metcalfe with a broken left foot, Stallings and his staff reorganized the Commodore attack and directed Vanderbilt to a 22-12 overall record during the season … The Commodores beat a school-record six nationally ranked teams during the regular season – a number that ranked third most in the country behind only UCLA and North Carolina. Vanderbilt defeated topped-ranked and eventual national champion Florida, 83-70, on Feb. 17 and swept SEC traditional power Kentucky for the second consecutive season … Vanderbilt finished with the second-most league wins in the SEC with 10 and became the only squad in the league to never lose back-to-back conference games during the year … Stallings tutored senior wing player Derrick Byars who blossomed in his final season in Nashville and was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year by the league’s coaches … The Commodores were ranked in the national polls for the first time since 2004.
Women’s Player of the Year
Candace Parker, University of Tennessee
Sophomore, Forward/Guard/Center, Naperville, Ill.
Parker was the fourth underclassman to win the State Farm Wade Trophy, the women’s National Player of the Year award … was named Most Outstanding Player after averaging 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in two games in the Final Four, leading the Lady Vols to a national championship … recorded 34 double-digit scoring games (out of 36 total games), including 17 in the NCAA title game vs. Rutgers … was a consensus first-team All-America player … averaged 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds for the season.
Women’s Coach of the Year
Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee
Guided the Lady Vols to a 34-3 record; a 14-0 SEC regular season sweep to claim the SEC regular season title and the tournament’s No. 1 seed … took Tennessee to its 17th NCAA Final Four and claimed the program’s seventh NCAA title … named the SEC Coach of the Year and the WBCA District Coach of the Year.
Candace Parker was named the state’s women’s basketball player of the year while Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt was named coach of the year.
On the men’s side, Vanderbilt’s Derrick Byars and coach Kevin Stallings garnered the top awards.
Parker was named player of the year on the women’s side for the second straight year. The sophomore was named State Farm Player of the Year and was named Most Outstanding Player in the Final Four as she helped the Lady Vols to the NCAA championship.
Summitt, the winningest basketball coach for men or women, won her seventh national championship when the Lady Vols defeated Rutgers. Summitt guided the Lady Vols to a 34-3 record and top national seed.
Byars helped lead Vanderbilt’s resurgence, which included an appearance in the NCAA round of 16. The senior from Memphis was among the league leaders in scoring, three-pointers per game, field goal and field goal percentage, free throw percentage and assists while being named SEC Player of the Year.
Stallings was named the Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Commodores to a 22-12 mark and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Vanderbilt overcame a 1-3 start and advanced to the Sweet 16, losing by one-point to eventual runner-up Georgetown. The Commodores defeated six nationally-ranked teams, including national champion Florida, and swept traditional power Kentucky for the second straight season.
The players and coaches of the year will be presented their awards during the annual TSWA Convention in July in Nashville.
Capsules for TSWA Players and Coaches of the Year
Men’s Player of the Year
Derrick Byars, Vanderbilt University
Senior, Guard/Forward, Memphis, Tenn.
Named 2007 Southeastern Conference Player of the year and unanimous First-Team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches … helped lead the Commodores to a 22-12 overall record, the second most league wins in the SEC (10) and a visit to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament … finished the year ranked among the SEC leaders in a league-high nine statistical categories: scoring (fourth at 17.0), 3-pointers per game (eighth at 2.32), field goal percentage (ninth at .457), 3-point field goal percentage (ninth at .373), steals (11th at 1.41), free throw percentage (12th at .711), assists (12th at 3.41), assist-to-turnover ratio (1.45-to-1) and rebounding (23rd at 4.9) … finished second in scoring with 19.1 points per game during league play … A two-time SEC Player of the Week selection, Byars led the Commodores in scoring 17 times during the season, including 14 of 20 games from the start of conference play through the postseason. He also led Vanderbilt in scoring in seven of its 10 games against ranked opponents, averaging 20.2 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from 3-point range … netted 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting in Vanderbilt’s 83-70 victory against then-No. 1 Florida. He posted 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go with seven rebounds in an 82-81 win over then-No. 16 Tennessee. He willed Vanderbilt to the Sweet 16, pouring in 19 of his game-high 27 points after intermission during the Commodores’ 78-74 double-overtime thriller against then-No. 13 Washington State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament … finished the year as the team leader in scoring (17.0), assists (3.4) and steals (1.4).
Men’s Coach of the Year
Kevin Stallings, Vanderbilt University
Named the 2007 Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year … orchestrated the Commodores standout 2007 campaign that was capped off with the school’s second visit to the Sweet 16 in the last four years … after starting the season 1-3 and losing the services of starting center Alan Metcalfe with a broken left foot, Stallings and his staff reorganized the Commodore attack and directed Vanderbilt to a 22-12 overall record during the season … The Commodores beat a school-record six nationally ranked teams during the regular season – a number that ranked third most in the country behind only UCLA and North Carolina. Vanderbilt defeated topped-ranked and eventual national champion Florida, 83-70, on Feb. 17 and swept SEC traditional power Kentucky for the second consecutive season … Vanderbilt finished with the second-most league wins in the SEC with 10 and became the only squad in the league to never lose back-to-back conference games during the year … Stallings tutored senior wing player Derrick Byars who blossomed in his final season in Nashville and was named the 2007 SEC Player of the Year by the league’s coaches … The Commodores were ranked in the national polls for the first time since 2004.
Women’s Player of the Year
Candace Parker, University of Tennessee
Sophomore, Forward/Guard/Center, Naperville, Ill.
Parker was the fourth underclassman to win the State Farm Wade Trophy, the women’s National Player of the Year award … was named Most Outstanding Player after averaging 15.5 points and 10.0 rebounds in two games in the Final Four, leading the Lady Vols to a national championship … recorded 34 double-digit scoring games (out of 36 total games), including 17 in the NCAA title game vs. Rutgers … was a consensus first-team All-America player … averaged 19.6 points and 9.8 rebounds for the season.
Women’s Coach of the Year
Pat Summitt, University of Tennessee
Guided the Lady Vols to a 34-3 record; a 14-0 SEC regular season sweep to claim the SEC regular season title and the tournament’s No. 1 seed … took Tennessee to its 17th NCAA Final Four and claimed the program’s seventh NCAA title … named the SEC Coach of the Year and the WBCA District Coach of the Year.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Summitt 'like a new woman' after hospital stay
Fainting spell will make UT coach more careful
A day after fainting and being hospitalized, Pat Summitt was back to her old self. She sounded even better than that.
"I feel like a new woman,'' the Tennessee women's basketball coach said Friday afternoon.
She was released from St. Mary's Medical Center earlier in the day after spending the night for observation. Summitt was treated for dehydration, a condition she thinks was caused by lack of sufficient rest along with insufficient hydration.
With Thompson-Boling Arena being renovated, the Lady Vols are using alternative sites for their camps and air conditioning is scarce.
"I think I'm going to be fine,'' said Summitt, who was preparing for the start of UT's elite camp. "I'll get my naps, that's the key."
As far as sustenance, Summitt plans to supplement her water intake with Gatorade and make sure to eat regularly.
"I'll be going and I'll forget to eat,'' she said.
Summitt did not take a break after the end of overnight camp on Wednesday. Instead, she cooked for guests at her home in the evening. The schedule caught up with her Thursday afternoon at home in the presence of Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood, Northern State (S.D.) coach Don Meyer, retired coach Billie Moore and Summitt's mother, Hazel. Summitt passed out while sitting in a chair.
"Mother poked Dean and said, 'She's falling out of the chair,' '' Summitt said. "I was out. I was way out."
The hospital visit turned into an unscheduled physical exam along with a recuperative stay.
After a battery of tests, Summitt said that the doctors told her: "You're the healthiest you've ever been."
And that's much better than Thursday.
A day after fainting and being hospitalized, Pat Summitt was back to her old self. She sounded even better than that.
"I feel like a new woman,'' the Tennessee women's basketball coach said Friday afternoon.
She was released from St. Mary's Medical Center earlier in the day after spending the night for observation. Summitt was treated for dehydration, a condition she thinks was caused by lack of sufficient rest along with insufficient hydration.
With Thompson-Boling Arena being renovated, the Lady Vols are using alternative sites for their camps and air conditioning is scarce.
"I think I'm going to be fine,'' said Summitt, who was preparing for the start of UT's elite camp. "I'll get my naps, that's the key."
As far as sustenance, Summitt plans to supplement her water intake with Gatorade and make sure to eat regularly.
"I'll be going and I'll forget to eat,'' she said.
Summitt did not take a break after the end of overnight camp on Wednesday. Instead, she cooked for guests at her home in the evening. The schedule caught up with her Thursday afternoon at home in the presence of Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood, Northern State (S.D.) coach Don Meyer, retired coach Billie Moore and Summitt's mother, Hazel. Summitt passed out while sitting in a chair.
"Mother poked Dean and said, 'She's falling out of the chair,' '' Summitt said. "I was out. I was way out."
The hospital visit turned into an unscheduled physical exam along with a recuperative stay.
After a battery of tests, Summitt said that the doctors told her: "You're the healthiest you've ever been."
And that's much better than Thursday.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Pat Summitt released from Tenn. hospital
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee coach Pat Summitt was released from a hospital Friday after being treated for dehydration.
"She is at home and will be resuming normal activities immediately," Lady Vols spokeswoman Debby Jennings said.
There was hardly enough time for well-wishers to send flowers.
"Exactly," Jennings said.
The 55-year-old Summitt, who won her seventh NCAA championship this past season, had a dizzy spell and fainted at her home on Thursday. She was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment for dehydration and spent the night for observation. Jennings said running several summer basketball camps in gyms without air-conditioning probably contributed to Summitt's collapse.
Summitt is the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history with 947 victories.
"She is at home and will be resuming normal activities immediately," Lady Vols spokeswoman Debby Jennings said.
There was hardly enough time for well-wishers to send flowers.
"Exactly," Jennings said.
The 55-year-old Summitt, who won her seventh NCAA championship this past season, had a dizzy spell and fainted at her home on Thursday. She was taken to St. Mary's Hospital for treatment for dehydration and spent the night for observation. Jennings said running several summer basketball camps in gyms without air-conditioning probably contributed to Summitt's collapse.
Summitt is the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history with 947 victories.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Pat Summitt taken to hospital for dehydration
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coach Pat Summitt fainted at home Thursday and was being treated for dehydration at a hospital. "She had kind of a like a dizzy spell and passed out," Lady Vols spokeswoman Debby Jennings told The Associated Press.
The 55-year-old Summitt, who won her seventh NCAA championship this past season, was being treated at St. Mary's Hospital, hospital spokesman Craig Griffith confirmed.
Her family requested no information on her condition be released, but WBIR-TV reported that she was conscious and responsive.
"She is under observation and I think they are just trying to rehydrate her," Jennings said.
Jennings said Summitt's hectic summer camp schedule could have been to blame. The coach had just finished up one five-day camp and was getting ready to start another this weekend.
With Tennessee's Thompson-Boling Arena under renovation, Summitt was having to use other gyms.
"I would guess that probably led to the dehydration. None of the gyms have air conditioning," Jennings said.
Summitt is the winningest basketball coach in NCAA history with 947 victories.
Pat Summitt taken to hospital after passing out
UT Lady Vols Basketball Coach Pat Summitt is in St. Mary's Hospital in Knoxville Thursday night.
Summitt was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after passing out at her home. She was treated for dehydration at the hospital.
She is conscious and responsive, and remains under medical observation.
Summitt is the winningest coach in basketball history, recently leading the Lady Vols to their seventh national championship.
We will have more on this story as information becomes available.
Summitt was rushed to the hospital by ambulance after passing out at her home. She was treated for dehydration at the hospital.
She is conscious and responsive, and remains under medical observation.
Summitt is the winningest coach in basketball history, recently leading the Lady Vols to their seventh national championship.
We will have more on this story as information becomes available.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Summitt speaks out on Chamique Holdsclaw retirement
"I am happy if she is."
That is what Lady Vol Head Coach Pat Summitt had to say about the sudden retirement of former player Chamique Holdsclaw.
The Los Angeles Sparks forward, a six-time All-Star in the WNBA and the league Rookie of the Year in 1999, shockingly announced her retirement on Monday. She gave no reason for her decision to retire.
"This was not an easy decision," Holdsclaw said. "I put a lot of thought into it. I am very grateful for the career I have enjoyed in amateur and professional basketball and will take many fond memories with me. What I will miss most are my teammates and the great friendships I have developed through the years and the fans from arena to arena that have supported me. I want to wish the Sparks great success this season and in the years ahead."
Holdsclaw called it quits five games into the 2007 season, despite currently leading the team at 15.8 points per game.
"I always believed that it is important to know when you are ready to walk away from the game, whether you are a coach or a player," Summitt said in a written statement. "It may not always be the popular decision according to others, but I think the most important thing is that she made a decision that was good for her. I am happy if she is and she appears to be with her decision. She is in a good frame of mind."
During her time with the Lady Vols, Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three straight NCAA championships, and is the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder (male or female) with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds. She was only the fifth women's basketball player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 points.
However, problems followed Holdsclaw at Washington in 2004. It was during that season she suffered from depression and left the team in July when the Mystics were in a playoff run. She later told the Washington Post she was under the care of a psychiatrist, and at the time considered retirement. Holdsclaw also took a two-week leave of absence from the Sparks in May 2006 for personal reasons.
"She has given a lot to this game, both at the collegiate and professional levels," Summitt said. "I think she's been good for the game and the game has been good for her."
Holdsclaw, 29, joined the Sparks in 2005, and before then played six seasons for the Washington Mystics. She averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists during her WNBA career.
That is what Lady Vol Head Coach Pat Summitt had to say about the sudden retirement of former player Chamique Holdsclaw.
The Los Angeles Sparks forward, a six-time All-Star in the WNBA and the league Rookie of the Year in 1999, shockingly announced her retirement on Monday. She gave no reason for her decision to retire.
"This was not an easy decision," Holdsclaw said. "I put a lot of thought into it. I am very grateful for the career I have enjoyed in amateur and professional basketball and will take many fond memories with me. What I will miss most are my teammates and the great friendships I have developed through the years and the fans from arena to arena that have supported me. I want to wish the Sparks great success this season and in the years ahead."
Holdsclaw called it quits five games into the 2007 season, despite currently leading the team at 15.8 points per game.
"I always believed that it is important to know when you are ready to walk away from the game, whether you are a coach or a player," Summitt said in a written statement. "It may not always be the popular decision according to others, but I think the most important thing is that she made a decision that was good for her. I am happy if she is and she appears to be with her decision. She is in a good frame of mind."
During her time with the Lady Vols, Holdsclaw led Tennessee to three straight NCAA championships, and is the school's all-time leading scorer and rebounder (male or female) with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds. She was only the fifth women's basketball player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 points.
However, problems followed Holdsclaw at Washington in 2004. It was during that season she suffered from depression and left the team in July when the Mystics were in a playoff run. She later told the Washington Post she was under the care of a psychiatrist, and at the time considered retirement. Holdsclaw also took a two-week leave of absence from the Sparks in May 2006 for personal reasons.
"She has given a lot to this game, both at the collegiate and professional levels," Summitt said. "I think she's been good for the game and the game has been good for her."
Holdsclaw, 29, joined the Sparks in 2005, and before then played six seasons for the Washington Mystics. She averaged 17.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists during her WNBA career.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Here's to hoping all good things don't have to end
In the newspaper business, the thought always is that if Democrats say that you're a stinkin' conservative shill and Republicans call you a pathetic liberal rag, you're doing OK. Because if both sides are mad at you, it's a good indication you're not favoring either.
Geno Auriemma, right, jokingly once referred to Pat Summitt and Tennessee as the "evil empire."
As a writer, I've always tried to apply that philosophy to the Connecticut-Tennessee women's hoops rivalry. I haven't kept an exact count, but I've gotten very close to equal amounts of "You hate us!" e-mail from both UConn and Tennessee fans over the last 11 years of writing for ESPN.com. On a few occasions, both sides have said that about the same column, which is a pretty neat trick.
Of course, I've also gotten wonderful, thoughtful, insightful and funny e-mails from fans of both teams, too.
There are things I'm totally one-sided about. Like the Cardinals vs. the Cubs or "The Twilight Zone" vs. "The Outer Limits" (of course, no one in their right mind could possibly prefer complete junk like "The Outer Limits").
However, honestly, one really can sit right in the middle of the UConn-Tennessee rivalry, not favoring either.
I admire and respect what both programs have done for women's college basketball. Both have set such a high standard and won so much that it's a big event when either one loses. Both teach their players to compete and perform at a superb level, which is not only why they've combined for 12 NCAA titles but also have so many successful players in the WNBA.
However, now the rivalry has truly turned sour, and it might not be reconciled any time soon
Earlier this year, UConn sent a signed contract to Tennessee for the next two seasons. It seemed like it was a foregone conclusion that there would never be an end to the matchup that, since it began in 1995, has become symbolic with excellence in this sport.
But … Tennessee said, "Nope. It's over."
Since Tennessee ended it, coach Pat Summitt and the gang in Knoxville are going to receive the blame from many observers. Even more so because they are not yet offering an explanation for it.
The bloody, bare-knuckle brawl has begun, figuratively speaking, among some fans on both sides who will throw punches at each other via the Internet. Others, though, are united across the divide because, of course, they agree about not wanting the series to end.
Hartford Courant columnist Jeff Jacobs ripped Summitt to shreds for not commenting. Knoxville News Sentinel columnist John Adams didn't go anywhere near that extreme in criticism of Summitt, but did chide the decision to end the series and the lack of explanation.
Some of the Internet chatter has accused UConn of releasing this information right before the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame weekend in Knoxville as a kind of vengeance. But a UConn official explained to me that Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch got a tip about Tennessee's refusal to sign the contract and called UConn about it last Thursday. The UConn athletic department responded Friday, with a statement e-mailed to all media that cover the Huskies.
So the timing was not UConn's choice. Once it came out, though, Tennessee seemed unprepared for it. Tennessee has long been the standard for media relations when it comes to women's sports, and Summitt -- busy as she is -- always has been accessible.
But now the program essentially has gone silent, initially saying it couldn't comment on its schedule until the end of July because of Southeastern Conference regulations. Perhaps recognizing how flimsy a reason that appeared to be considering the circumstances, women's athletic director Joan Cronan released a brief statement. But that didn't actually explain anything.
For what it's worth, I've let Tennessee know this approach is not what we've come to expect from a great program and that fans of the sport deserve a timely explanation.
That said, I think Tennessee believes that by not commenting, it is actually saying a lot. An educated guess is that Summitt has had enough of UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
Is it the one-liners at her expense that he has used for years to entertain the media? Have things gotten particularly nasty in regard to recruiting battles between the two schools? Is it a combination of both? Or more we don't know?
A phrase I've heard from those close to the situation in Knoxville is to "consider the body of work." It's a wry choice of words, typically used by the selection committee chair in regard to NCAA Tournament bracket questions. In this case, it suggests that Tennessee reacted to the cumulative effect of Auriemma's words and actions over the years.
Auriemma always has insightful things to say about basketball. Even though I've been annoyed a few times over the years when it seemed he was being too flip, it's very difficult as a journalist to dislike him. However, I don't know what it's like to deal with him as an opposing coach.
Auriemma's a natural-born wisecracker with a very quick mind who can't pass up available quips. If he were strapped into an electric chair and told, "One more joke from you, pal, and the switch is flipped," … and then someone asked him about, say, Maria Conlon's foot "speed" … the guy just couldn't stop himself. He'd fry.
There's a mind-set that it's just in fun, that it makes for fabulous newspaper copy and TV sound bites, that it spices up the series, that Summitt should understand it's "just Geno's way" and also that it's just strategy on his part to try to get under her skin.
There's truth in all of that -- but it ignores two other things: Not all of his jibes toward Summitt have seemed in jest, and she is not wrong if she feels she has been disrespected. If she does feels that way, I can understand why.
Let's consider a couple of remarks Auriemma made in January, the day before the meeting with Tennessee. In regard to the popularity of the series, he said, "It's great for the schools. I mean, how many times does Tennessee get 25,000 at their place? Legit, I mean. I don't mean when they say they got 25 and they got 12. I'm talking about when they really get 25. When we go."
Later, someone asked if it was "more sexy" -- the reporter's words -- when part of the rivalry was Pat vs. Geno.
"No, not for me," Auriemma said. "I don't think Pat's ever looked at me in sexual terms. I don't think she finds anything attractive about me whatsoever."
Then he continued, "It may be sexy for the media and the fans and all that. But in terms of me personally or Pat, I think she'd be the first to tell you she'd rather keep the focus on the teams."
OK … some might look at those comments and say, "No big deal. What's the problem?" But others might wonder why he took the attendance shot at Tennessee, as if the program had any kind of reputation for inflating those figures. And they might say he really didn't need to grab the "sexy" bait from the reporter and run with it.
Either way, the jousting has been going on a long time from Auriemma's end. Summitt has never liked it and made that clear a long time ago. She won't get into a public war of words. Perhaps she has reached a point where she feels the only effective salvo she can fire is to end this regular-season series.
I'm disappointed for the sake of women's hoops -- for the sake of good basketball, period -- and obviously I don't agree with the decision to end the series. But I also don't know everything that went into making it. I do know that harsh criticism of Summitt is totally unwarranted and unfair. She has aided the growth and development of women's basketball more than anybody.
When any other program has elevated itself, Tennessee has put that team on its schedule. Summitt has been willing to travel to arenas all across the country and take everybody's best shot for decades. Not only does Tennessee play the toughest schedule every year, no other program is even close.
How many interviews has Summitt done? How many stupid questions has she answered without making the asker look bad? How much goodwill has she spread for women's athletics and her university?
Summitt deserves the benefit of the doubt on decisions more than any coach in any sport. That doesn't mean she's never wrong. But she must have felt very, very strongly for Tennessee to have ended this series. I hope she decides to explain it.
We'll wait for that, and to see if the matchup eventually will be salvaged. Perhaps there's still some way the programs can mend fences. It brings to mind another thing that Auriemma said in January when asked if he anticipated the series would ever end.
"The players love it, it's great for the schools, TV can't wait to show it … why would you stop it?" he said. "The only thing that could screw this up is me or Pat. And she probably won't screw it up. So it just comes down to one variable."
All of us reporters there laughed with Auriemma at that. Then he said, "I would think -- nothing lasts forever -- but this is a pretty good bet, this series."
'Mique's exit leaves L.A. in lurch -- and fans full of sadness
So what do we make of the strange case of Chamique Holdsclaw's professional career? In women's hoops, there has never been more of a "sure thing" who turned into such an enigma.
If Chamique Holdsclaw's WNBA career really is finished, there is a definite sense of sadness and loss for those who follow the sport.
Los Angeles' Holdsclaw announced her retirement Monday, the second bad-news shocker of the past few days that's connected to Tennessee. Confirmation that Tennessee is not renewing its regular-season series with archrival Connecticut came last Friday.
Now, Holdsclaw -- Tennessee's all-time leading scorer (3,025) and rebounder (1,295) -- says she's ending her pro basketball career at age 29.
"This was not an easy decision," she said in a statement. "I put a lot of thought into it."
Well … it might have been a good idea to have thought it out before the WNBA season started and the Sparks -- already without a pregnant Lisa Leslie -- were left in the lurch. It's the second time in her WNBA career that Holdsclaw has walked out on a team, having done so with the Washington Mystics in 2004.
I don't mean to be harsh, because I really empathize if Holdsclaw is still struggling with the depression that sidelined her when she left the Mystics.
The loss of her grandmother, the guiding force who raised her, was a devastating blow for Holdsclaw in 2002. She lost a grandfather in 2004, and later said his death prompted a flood of emotions she had been holding back after her grandmother passed away.
Holdsclaw played in Spain and then got a new start in the WNBA on the West Coast, with Los Angeles, in 2005 after asking to be traded from D.C.
Last year, Holdsclaw was excused from the early part of the season as she tended to her father and stepfather, who both had been diagnosed with cancer. Holdsclaw indicated during the season she was considering retiring.
When WNBA.com's Matt Wurst visited with her this past January, he asked again about retirement. Holdsclaw said then that she'd had surgery on her foot and felt it was at 100 percent after bothering her a lot the previous couple of years. Even so, she told Wurst that her playing this WNBA season wasn't necessarily a sure thing.
"I am definitely missing [basketball] right now and can't wait to get back out there and play," she said. "So ask me that question again in a month or so."
Had Holdsclaw called it quits before this season started, all things considered, it might not have been such a big surprise. But the fact that she began the season and then left so quickly is surprising.
Perhaps she had to play to find out her heart wasn't into it. It's unfortunate, though, that Holdsclaw did not give a reason for leaving. Some will say it's a private matter and she doesn't owe anyone a public explanation. However, when you're one of the best players in the history of your sport, and you walk away while still in your prime years, obviously you leave a lot of questions.
If depression is still the problem, Holdsclaw needs to realize there is absolutely no shame in that, no reason not to acknowledge it. It's an enemy that even the strongest people have a very difficult time beating. If that's not it, why leave this open to speculation?
Maybe Holdsclaw just needs more time away from the sport. Maybe she isn't healed emotionally or physically. Maybe more distance from playing basketball will eventually lead her back to it.
But if she really is finished -- or at least finished in the WNBA -- there is a definite sense of sadness and loss for those who follow the sport. Holdsclaw won three titles in a row at Tennessee (1996, '97, '98), was the top WNBA draft pick in 1999 and won an Olympic medal in 2000.
But she hasn't won a WNBA championship. And while she has been very productive in points and rebounds, her on-court demeanor for some time now has suggested an amazingly gifted athlete who has been going through the motions. She has been playing basketball as if it's simply a chore she excels at, but not a passion she embraces. In fact, it has even seemed a burden.
We all can hope that Holdsclaw comes back to the court and finds some joy in the game. But if she doesn't, then we wish for her success in other endeavors -- and some peace of mind in her life.
Mechelle Voepel can be reached at mvoepel123@yahoo.com.
Geno Auriemma, right, jokingly once referred to Pat Summitt and Tennessee as the "evil empire."
As a writer, I've always tried to apply that philosophy to the Connecticut-Tennessee women's hoops rivalry. I haven't kept an exact count, but I've gotten very close to equal amounts of "You hate us!" e-mail from both UConn and Tennessee fans over the last 11 years of writing for ESPN.com. On a few occasions, both sides have said that about the same column, which is a pretty neat trick.
Of course, I've also gotten wonderful, thoughtful, insightful and funny e-mails from fans of both teams, too.
There are things I'm totally one-sided about. Like the Cardinals vs. the Cubs or "The Twilight Zone" vs. "The Outer Limits" (of course, no one in their right mind could possibly prefer complete junk like "The Outer Limits").
However, honestly, one really can sit right in the middle of the UConn-Tennessee rivalry, not favoring either.
I admire and respect what both programs have done for women's college basketball. Both have set such a high standard and won so much that it's a big event when either one loses. Both teach their players to compete and perform at a superb level, which is not only why they've combined for 12 NCAA titles but also have so many successful players in the WNBA.
However, now the rivalry has truly turned sour, and it might not be reconciled any time soon
Earlier this year, UConn sent a signed contract to Tennessee for the next two seasons. It seemed like it was a foregone conclusion that there would never be an end to the matchup that, since it began in 1995, has become symbolic with excellence in this sport.
But … Tennessee said, "Nope. It's over."
Since Tennessee ended it, coach Pat Summitt and the gang in Knoxville are going to receive the blame from many observers. Even more so because they are not yet offering an explanation for it.
The bloody, bare-knuckle brawl has begun, figuratively speaking, among some fans on both sides who will throw punches at each other via the Internet. Others, though, are united across the divide because, of course, they agree about not wanting the series to end.
Hartford Courant columnist Jeff Jacobs ripped Summitt to shreds for not commenting. Knoxville News Sentinel columnist John Adams didn't go anywhere near that extreme in criticism of Summitt, but did chide the decision to end the series and the lack of explanation.
Some of the Internet chatter has accused UConn of releasing this information right before the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame weekend in Knoxville as a kind of vengeance. But a UConn official explained to me that Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch got a tip about Tennessee's refusal to sign the contract and called UConn about it last Thursday. The UConn athletic department responded Friday, with a statement e-mailed to all media that cover the Huskies.
So the timing was not UConn's choice. Once it came out, though, Tennessee seemed unprepared for it. Tennessee has long been the standard for media relations when it comes to women's sports, and Summitt -- busy as she is -- always has been accessible.
But now the program essentially has gone silent, initially saying it couldn't comment on its schedule until the end of July because of Southeastern Conference regulations. Perhaps recognizing how flimsy a reason that appeared to be considering the circumstances, women's athletic director Joan Cronan released a brief statement. But that didn't actually explain anything.
For what it's worth, I've let Tennessee know this approach is not what we've come to expect from a great program and that fans of the sport deserve a timely explanation.
That said, I think Tennessee believes that by not commenting, it is actually saying a lot. An educated guess is that Summitt has had enough of UConn coach Geno Auriemma.
Is it the one-liners at her expense that he has used for years to entertain the media? Have things gotten particularly nasty in regard to recruiting battles between the two schools? Is it a combination of both? Or more we don't know?
A phrase I've heard from those close to the situation in Knoxville is to "consider the body of work." It's a wry choice of words, typically used by the selection committee chair in regard to NCAA Tournament bracket questions. In this case, it suggests that Tennessee reacted to the cumulative effect of Auriemma's words and actions over the years.
Auriemma always has insightful things to say about basketball. Even though I've been annoyed a few times over the years when it seemed he was being too flip, it's very difficult as a journalist to dislike him. However, I don't know what it's like to deal with him as an opposing coach.
Auriemma's a natural-born wisecracker with a very quick mind who can't pass up available quips. If he were strapped into an electric chair and told, "One more joke from you, pal, and the switch is flipped," … and then someone asked him about, say, Maria Conlon's foot "speed" … the guy just couldn't stop himself. He'd fry.
There's a mind-set that it's just in fun, that it makes for fabulous newspaper copy and TV sound bites, that it spices up the series, that Summitt should understand it's "just Geno's way" and also that it's just strategy on his part to try to get under her skin.
There's truth in all of that -- but it ignores two other things: Not all of his jibes toward Summitt have seemed in jest, and she is not wrong if she feels she has been disrespected. If she does feels that way, I can understand why.
Let's consider a couple of remarks Auriemma made in January, the day before the meeting with Tennessee. In regard to the popularity of the series, he said, "It's great for the schools. I mean, how many times does Tennessee get 25,000 at their place? Legit, I mean. I don't mean when they say they got 25 and they got 12. I'm talking about when they really get 25. When we go."
Later, someone asked if it was "more sexy" -- the reporter's words -- when part of the rivalry was Pat vs. Geno.
"No, not for me," Auriemma said. "I don't think Pat's ever looked at me in sexual terms. I don't think she finds anything attractive about me whatsoever."
Then he continued, "It may be sexy for the media and the fans and all that. But in terms of me personally or Pat, I think she'd be the first to tell you she'd rather keep the focus on the teams."
OK … some might look at those comments and say, "No big deal. What's the problem?" But others might wonder why he took the attendance shot at Tennessee, as if the program had any kind of reputation for inflating those figures. And they might say he really didn't need to grab the "sexy" bait from the reporter and run with it.
Either way, the jousting has been going on a long time from Auriemma's end. Summitt has never liked it and made that clear a long time ago. She won't get into a public war of words. Perhaps she has reached a point where she feels the only effective salvo she can fire is to end this regular-season series.
I'm disappointed for the sake of women's hoops -- for the sake of good basketball, period -- and obviously I don't agree with the decision to end the series. But I also don't know everything that went into making it. I do know that harsh criticism of Summitt is totally unwarranted and unfair. She has aided the growth and development of women's basketball more than anybody.
When any other program has elevated itself, Tennessee has put that team on its schedule. Summitt has been willing to travel to arenas all across the country and take everybody's best shot for decades. Not only does Tennessee play the toughest schedule every year, no other program is even close.
How many interviews has Summitt done? How many stupid questions has she answered without making the asker look bad? How much goodwill has she spread for women's athletics and her university?
Summitt deserves the benefit of the doubt on decisions more than any coach in any sport. That doesn't mean she's never wrong. But she must have felt very, very strongly for Tennessee to have ended this series. I hope she decides to explain it.
We'll wait for that, and to see if the matchup eventually will be salvaged. Perhaps there's still some way the programs can mend fences. It brings to mind another thing that Auriemma said in January when asked if he anticipated the series would ever end.
"The players love it, it's great for the schools, TV can't wait to show it … why would you stop it?" he said. "The only thing that could screw this up is me or Pat. And she probably won't screw it up. So it just comes down to one variable."
All of us reporters there laughed with Auriemma at that. Then he said, "I would think -- nothing lasts forever -- but this is a pretty good bet, this series."
'Mique's exit leaves L.A. in lurch -- and fans full of sadness
So what do we make of the strange case of Chamique Holdsclaw's professional career? In women's hoops, there has never been more of a "sure thing" who turned into such an enigma.
If Chamique Holdsclaw's WNBA career really is finished, there is a definite sense of sadness and loss for those who follow the sport.
Los Angeles' Holdsclaw announced her retirement Monday, the second bad-news shocker of the past few days that's connected to Tennessee. Confirmation that Tennessee is not renewing its regular-season series with archrival Connecticut came last Friday.
Now, Holdsclaw -- Tennessee's all-time leading scorer (3,025) and rebounder (1,295) -- says she's ending her pro basketball career at age 29.
"This was not an easy decision," she said in a statement. "I put a lot of thought into it."
Well … it might have been a good idea to have thought it out before the WNBA season started and the Sparks -- already without a pregnant Lisa Leslie -- were left in the lurch. It's the second time in her WNBA career that Holdsclaw has walked out on a team, having done so with the Washington Mystics in 2004.
I don't mean to be harsh, because I really empathize if Holdsclaw is still struggling with the depression that sidelined her when she left the Mystics.
The loss of her grandmother, the guiding force who raised her, was a devastating blow for Holdsclaw in 2002. She lost a grandfather in 2004, and later said his death prompted a flood of emotions she had been holding back after her grandmother passed away.
Holdsclaw played in Spain and then got a new start in the WNBA on the West Coast, with Los Angeles, in 2005 after asking to be traded from D.C.
Last year, Holdsclaw was excused from the early part of the season as she tended to her father and stepfather, who both had been diagnosed with cancer. Holdsclaw indicated during the season she was considering retiring.
When WNBA.com's Matt Wurst visited with her this past January, he asked again about retirement. Holdsclaw said then that she'd had surgery on her foot and felt it was at 100 percent after bothering her a lot the previous couple of years. Even so, she told Wurst that her playing this WNBA season wasn't necessarily a sure thing.
"I am definitely missing [basketball] right now and can't wait to get back out there and play," she said. "So ask me that question again in a month or so."
Had Holdsclaw called it quits before this season started, all things considered, it might not have been such a big surprise. But the fact that she began the season and then left so quickly is surprising.
Perhaps she had to play to find out her heart wasn't into it. It's unfortunate, though, that Holdsclaw did not give a reason for leaving. Some will say it's a private matter and she doesn't owe anyone a public explanation. However, when you're one of the best players in the history of your sport, and you walk away while still in your prime years, obviously you leave a lot of questions.
If depression is still the problem, Holdsclaw needs to realize there is absolutely no shame in that, no reason not to acknowledge it. It's an enemy that even the strongest people have a very difficult time beating. If that's not it, why leave this open to speculation?
Maybe Holdsclaw just needs more time away from the sport. Maybe she isn't healed emotionally or physically. Maybe more distance from playing basketball will eventually lead her back to it.
But if she really is finished -- or at least finished in the WNBA -- there is a definite sense of sadness and loss for those who follow the sport. Holdsclaw won three titles in a row at Tennessee (1996, '97, '98), was the top WNBA draft pick in 1999 and won an Olympic medal in 2000.
But she hasn't won a WNBA championship. And while she has been very productive in points and rebounds, her on-court demeanor for some time now has suggested an amazingly gifted athlete who has been going through the motions. She has been playing basketball as if it's simply a chore she excels at, but not a passion she embraces. In fact, it has even seemed a burden.
We all can hope that Holdsclaw comes back to the court and finds some joy in the game. But if she doesn't, then we wish for her success in other endeavors -- and some peace of mind in her life.
Mechelle Voepel can be reached at mvoepel123@yahoo.com.
Holdsclaw stuns Sparks by retiring
LOS ANGELES - Chamique Holdsclaw, a six-time WNBA All-Star who re-signed with the Los Angeles Sparks in February, stunned the team by retiring Monday.
The 29-year-old forward had played in the Sparks' first five games this season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Holdsclaw did not give a reason for ending her pro basketball career.
"This was not an easy decision," she said in a statement released by the team. "I put a lot of thought into it."
Kathy Goodman said she and Carla Christofferson, the team's new owners, were surprised.
"This is not what we wanted," Goodman told The Associated Press by phone. "She said she'd given it a lot of thought and decided she didn't want to play anymore."
Goodman said Holdsclaw didn't give a reason and the owners didn't ask for one.
"We decided to respect her decision," she said. "I'm not sure how long she had been thinking about it. The first we heard about it was over the weekend. I'm not sure what all led into her decision."
The owners, along with coach Michael Cooper and general manager Penny Toler, tried unsuccessfully to persuade Holdsclaw to stay. She was playing on a one-year contract.
"We're relatively new, so we don't have a long relationship with her," Goodman said.
Before joining the Sparks two years ago, Holdsclaw played seven seasons with the
Washington Mystics, who made her the league's top draft pick in 1999. She was the WNBA rookie of the year that season after leading Tennessee to three consecutive
NCAA championships and twice winning national player of the year honors.
But the Mystics had only one winning season during Holdsclaw's stint, losing in the Eastern Conference finals in 2002.
She asked to be traded after dealing with depression. Holdsclaw didn't talk publicly about that time, which came after the death of her grandmother who raised her.
She left the Mystics in July 2004 and played basketball in Spain before the Sparks went after her. Holdsclaw later said she was happy to be in Los Angeles, where the laid-back nature of things appealed to her.
She retired without winning a WNBA championship.
"I have a lot of other interests, things I can be as good at as I am in basketball," she told The AP in July 2005, declining to elaborate. "I like to keep things to myself."
Cooper said the team would miss Holdsclaw, adding, "It won't be easy, but we will go on without her and wish her all the best."
The news was a jolt to the Sparks (3-2), who had already lost star center Lisa Leslie to pregnancy this season. Point guard Temeka Johnson has yet to play while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Cooper rejoined the team this season after coaching stints in the NBA and its Development League.
"We have a great team and our goal is still the same, to win a championship," Goodman said. "It'll be little harder."
The Sparks host Houston on Wednesday night.
The 29-year-old forward had played in the Sparks' first five games this season, averaging 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.
Holdsclaw did not give a reason for ending her pro basketball career.
"This was not an easy decision," she said in a statement released by the team. "I put a lot of thought into it."
Kathy Goodman said she and Carla Christofferson, the team's new owners, were surprised.
"This is not what we wanted," Goodman told The Associated Press by phone. "She said she'd given it a lot of thought and decided she didn't want to play anymore."
Goodman said Holdsclaw didn't give a reason and the owners didn't ask for one.
"We decided to respect her decision," she said. "I'm not sure how long she had been thinking about it. The first we heard about it was over the weekend. I'm not sure what all led into her decision."
The owners, along with coach Michael Cooper and general manager Penny Toler, tried unsuccessfully to persuade Holdsclaw to stay. She was playing on a one-year contract.
"We're relatively new, so we don't have a long relationship with her," Goodman said.
Before joining the Sparks two years ago, Holdsclaw played seven seasons with the
Washington Mystics, who made her the league's top draft pick in 1999. She was the WNBA rookie of the year that season after leading Tennessee to three consecutive
NCAA championships and twice winning national player of the year honors.
But the Mystics had only one winning season during Holdsclaw's stint, losing in the Eastern Conference finals in 2002.
She asked to be traded after dealing with depression. Holdsclaw didn't talk publicly about that time, which came after the death of her grandmother who raised her.
She left the Mystics in July 2004 and played basketball in Spain before the Sparks went after her. Holdsclaw later said she was happy to be in Los Angeles, where the laid-back nature of things appealed to her.
She retired without winning a WNBA championship.
"I have a lot of other interests, things I can be as good at as I am in basketball," she told The AP in July 2005, declining to elaborate. "I like to keep things to myself."
Cooper said the team would miss Holdsclaw, adding, "It won't be easy, but we will go on without her and wish her all the best."
The news was a jolt to the Sparks (3-2), who had already lost star center Lisa Leslie to pregnancy this season. Point guard Temeka Johnson has yet to play while recovering from offseason knee surgery. Cooper rejoined the team this season after coaching stints in the NBA and its Development League.
"We have a great team and our goal is still the same, to win a championship," Goodman said. "It'll be little harder."
The Sparks host Houston on Wednesday night.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Cancelling UConn series a bad move from any angle
The Tennessee Lady Vols announced Saturday they were ending their basketball series with Siena. They offered no explanation.
Just kidding. The Lady Vols don't even have a series with Siena. But if they did, no one would care how they ended it.
They could announce it in an e-mail. Or put a press release in the mail.
That's how you end a series with Siena. That's not how you end a series with the University of Connecticut.
UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway said Friday his school was notified by the Lady Vols that they were ending the series. UT athletic director Joan Cronan then issued a statement about ending the series but offered no explanation.
Worse yet, neither did UT coach Pat Summitt.
This is the biggest rivalry in women's basketball. Nothing else is close. Yet Summitt is ending it without comment.
Imagine Summitt assigning no one to guard Diana Taurasi in the Final Four, then offering no explanation in the postgame press conference. This makes even less sense.
The Lady Vols aren't just sticking it to UConn. They're sticking it to their own fans. Their three biggest home crowds have all come against UConn, the team UT fans love to beat.
Ending the series affects more than UT and UConn. It affects all of women's basketball. It affects the networks, too.
The Connecticut Post reported Saturday that next season's UT-UConn game in Knoxville would have served as the debut for women's basketball Game Day. The newspaper also quoted sources as saying Carol Stiff, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, flew to Knoxville and tried to get the Lady Vols to change their mind.
That's not farfetched. UConn vs. UT is a match-up in which the most casual sports fan has a sense of the rivalry.
The Lady Vols have won seven national championships in the last 21 years. The Huskies have won five in the last 13 years.
The Lady Vols had Chamique Holdsclaw, Bridgette Gordon and Tamika Catchings. They still have Candace Parker. The Huskies had Taurasi, Sue Bird and Rebecca Lobo.
In the last 15 years, UT and UConn have had the biggest-name players and the most dominant teams. The best women's team ever? It's a debate between the 39-0 Lady Vols of 1997-98 or the 39-0 Huskies of 2001-02.
Summitt is the No. 1 name in the sport. If she resigned tomorrow, UConn coach Geno Auriemma would be No. 1.
Back and forth they have gone for more than a decade. UT was on top, then UConn, and now UT again.
The only thing better than one UT-UConn regular-season game was two, which you had from 1999 through 2001. Two was too much for UT, which appeared to be running scared when it said it would only play the Huskies once a year.
The Lady Vols are now dealing from a position of strength. Not only have they won three consecutive games in the series, they won the national championship two months ago and will be favored to win another next season.
So why back out of a series that has meant so much to your program, your fans and your sport?
Speculation will center around the personality conflict between the head coaches or the heated recruitment of recent UConn signee Maya Moore, a player UT hoped to sign. But without further explanation, both issues seem trivial.
And without further explanation, the story won't go away. It will come up repeatedly and will be magnified if the teams meet in the NCAA tournament.
No one should understand that better than Summitt, who is as media savvy as anyone in the business. But she is dismissing the Huskies as casually as she might cancel a preseason game with the Houston Jaguars.
UConn deserves better than that. So does women's basketball.
Just kidding. The Lady Vols don't even have a series with Siena. But if they did, no one would care how they ended it.
They could announce it in an e-mail. Or put a press release in the mail.
That's how you end a series with Siena. That's not how you end a series with the University of Connecticut.
UConn athletic director Jeff Hathaway said Friday his school was notified by the Lady Vols that they were ending the series. UT athletic director Joan Cronan then issued a statement about ending the series but offered no explanation.
Worse yet, neither did UT coach Pat Summitt.
This is the biggest rivalry in women's basketball. Nothing else is close. Yet Summitt is ending it without comment.
Imagine Summitt assigning no one to guard Diana Taurasi in the Final Four, then offering no explanation in the postgame press conference. This makes even less sense.
The Lady Vols aren't just sticking it to UConn. They're sticking it to their own fans. Their three biggest home crowds have all come against UConn, the team UT fans love to beat.
Ending the series affects more than UT and UConn. It affects all of women's basketball. It affects the networks, too.
The Connecticut Post reported Saturday that next season's UT-UConn game in Knoxville would have served as the debut for women's basketball Game Day. The newspaper also quoted sources as saying Carol Stiff, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, flew to Knoxville and tried to get the Lady Vols to change their mind.
That's not farfetched. UConn vs. UT is a match-up in which the most casual sports fan has a sense of the rivalry.
The Lady Vols have won seven national championships in the last 21 years. The Huskies have won five in the last 13 years.
The Lady Vols had Chamique Holdsclaw, Bridgette Gordon and Tamika Catchings. They still have Candace Parker. The Huskies had Taurasi, Sue Bird and Rebecca Lobo.
In the last 15 years, UT and UConn have had the biggest-name players and the most dominant teams. The best women's team ever? It's a debate between the 39-0 Lady Vols of 1997-98 or the 39-0 Huskies of 2001-02.
Summitt is the No. 1 name in the sport. If she resigned tomorrow, UConn coach Geno Auriemma would be No. 1.
Back and forth they have gone for more than a decade. UT was on top, then UConn, and now UT again.
The only thing better than one UT-UConn regular-season game was two, which you had from 1999 through 2001. Two was too much for UT, which appeared to be running scared when it said it would only play the Huskies once a year.
The Lady Vols are now dealing from a position of strength. Not only have they won three consecutive games in the series, they won the national championship two months ago and will be favored to win another next season.
So why back out of a series that has meant so much to your program, your fans and your sport?
Speculation will center around the personality conflict between the head coaches or the heated recruitment of recent UConn signee Maya Moore, a player UT hoped to sign. But without further explanation, both issues seem trivial.
And without further explanation, the story won't go away. It will come up repeatedly and will be magnified if the teams meet in the NCAA tournament.
No one should understand that better than Summitt, who is as media savvy as anyone in the business. But she is dismissing the Huskies as casually as she might cancel a preseason game with the Houston Jaguars.
UConn deserves better than that. So does women's basketball.
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