Champions for a Cause co-founders Holly Warlick and Nikki Caldwell will host their fundraiser: b3 – bikes, basketball, & breast cancer – on Friday, Sept. 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
b3 is a special fall event featuring food, live and silent auctions and a musical performance by country recording artist Matt Stillwell. Special honorees will be Pat Summitt – the head coach of Tennessee women’s basketball will receive the 2009 Inspirational Award – and Bobby Denton, longtime country music radio mogul at WIVK and public address announcer for Tennessee football, who will receive the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award.
Admission to the breast cancer fundraising event at the WBHOF in Knoxville, Tenn., is $100.
“We are excited to bring the b3 event to Knoxville,” said Holly Warlick, the associate head coach at Tennessee. “Nikki and I have received such great community support for our Cruisin’ rides – it will be fun to share this event at home.”
For Nikki Caldwell, who is from nearby Oak Ridge, Tenn., it is also a chance for some of the UCLA fans and supporters in town to stop by and attend the event. Caldwell, a former Lady Vol player and assistant for Summitt before taking the UCLA helm, will be in town with the Bruin football team.
“It worked out perfectly to host our event the same weekend that the Bruins were in Knoxville to play the Vols,” said Caldwell, who will begin her second season as the UCLA head coach. “Holly and I have ridden our motorcycles coast-to-coast, and from Knoxville to Key West and New Orleans. It will be great to have a fundraiser at the Hall of Fame.”
Additionally, there will be special guest appearances at the event by UT and UCLA coaching staff members, as the Vols and Bruins meet at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12, in collegiate football action.
Since its inception, Champions has raised and donated tens of thousands of dollars to help support the fight against breast cancer through a number of signature events: Cruisin’ for a Cause – a long haul motorcycle ride; Links Fore the Cure – a women’s golf tournament; and b3 – bikes, basketball & breast cancer – a dinner and auction. The money raised through these events supports efforts such as the University of Tennessee Breast Health Outreach Program, Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and The Wellness Community of East Tennessee.
Warlick and Caldwell, a pair of Lady Vol basketball alums, got together and started Champions for a Cause in 2007. It is a non-profit (501(c)-3) fundraising organization with a mission to advance and support the cause of charitable organizations who advocate and act to better the quality of life and health for individuals at risk or in need.
Space for the b3 evening is limited. To register for the event go online to: Champions for a Cause.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Coach Summitt tips off United Way drive
Lady Vols coach says smiles can help reach $2,250,000 goal
Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt encouraged volunteers and supporters to meet their community goal and “win a championship for United Way” at the organization’s Annual Campaign Kickoff Tuesday afternoon.
The event, which traditionally begins the United Way of Bradley County campaign, was held at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy. Over 470 people in attendance heard early pledge reports from Pacesetter and Challenger firms that put United Way donations for this year’s campaign at $904,279.
The 2009 United Way campaign goal is $2,250,000.
Coach Summitt said United Way of Bradley County can reach that goal if everyone thinks about what an impact they can make on a person’s life by making a donation.
“Put a smile on your face, and give a little bit more and you can make a huge difference here,” she said.
This was the second time Coach Summitt has spoken at the United Way of Bradley County kickoff luncheon. Three years ago, she addressed a group of United Way supporters, starting off with a rendition of “Rocky Top.” On Tuesday, she officially struck the gavel beginning the campaign to a sea of streamers and confetti launched from different corners of the church gymnasium.
She spoke of the love she has for United Way and told supporters at Tuesday’s luncheon that United Way is her No. 1 charity. In fact, she and then Vols’ coach Kevin O’Neill co-chaired the United Way of Greater Knoxville campaign in the mid 1990s.
“I remember going to the agencies, and returning with a tear in my eye every time. These visits were life changing for me,” she said.
Coach Summitt, who is the winningest coach in college basketball history, said while she will be remembered for her coaching prowess, she also wants to be remembered as someone who cared for others, and United Way is a great means of showing that compassion.
“That’s how you should want to be remembered … how you invest in others,” she said. “I am asking all of you to invest in Cleveland in a positive way by helping United Way.”
United Way of Bradley County Board Chairman Stephen Crass thanked Coach Summitt for “encouraging all of us to make a difference with this campaign. We know that the results will be impressive, in spite of our challenges this year.”
Several of the early campaigns reported partial totals, as their campaigns are still in progress. Others reported totals that exceeded their 2008 pledges. Each of these companies will be recognized at the United Way of Bradley County’s first report luncheon on Sept. 16.
Companies servings as Pacesetter and Challenger firms include Whirlpool Cooking, Whirlpool eXperience Center, Cormetech, Manufacturers Chemicals, Brenda Lawson & Associates, Athens Federal Community Bank, Bank of Cleveland, BB&T Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Regions Bank, Southern Heritage Bank, SunTrust Bank, United Community Bank, Easy Auto/Sunrise Acceptance, SkyRidge Medical Center, Peyton’s Southeastern, Procter & Gamble/Duracell, Cleveland Utilities, Cleveland City Schools, Bradley County Schools, Lee University and Life Care Centers of America.
“Most of these companies are still in the process of holding their meetings so they do not have the final results today; they will help us set the pace, however, and we encourage all of our companies and individuals to get their own campaigns started and make a difference in the lives of thousands of service recipients in our community,” Crass said.
He added that he hoped supporters would “thoughtfully give to help our neighbors. This will be a very difficult campaign with the troubles in our economy and that is even more reason why we all need to help a little bit more.”
This year’s campaign is chaired by Darlia Conn, Janey Cooke, Dan Cooke and Dr. Paul Conn. Rather than the married couples working as team leaders, campaign divisions are divided between the women and the men.
Their campaign division chairs will be announced soon, and will give division results at the Sept. 16 report luncheon.
Tuesday’s kickoff luncheon was hosted by the Cleveland Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Cleveland.
Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt encouraged volunteers and supporters to meet their community goal and “win a championship for United Way” at the organization’s Annual Campaign Kickoff Tuesday afternoon.
The event, which traditionally begins the United Way of Bradley County campaign, was held at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy. Over 470 people in attendance heard early pledge reports from Pacesetter and Challenger firms that put United Way donations for this year’s campaign at $904,279.
The 2009 United Way campaign goal is $2,250,000.
Coach Summitt said United Way of Bradley County can reach that goal if everyone thinks about what an impact they can make on a person’s life by making a donation.
“Put a smile on your face, and give a little bit more and you can make a huge difference here,” she said.
This was the second time Coach Summitt has spoken at the United Way of Bradley County kickoff luncheon. Three years ago, she addressed a group of United Way supporters, starting off with a rendition of “Rocky Top.” On Tuesday, she officially struck the gavel beginning the campaign to a sea of streamers and confetti launched from different corners of the church gymnasium.
She spoke of the love she has for United Way and told supporters at Tuesday’s luncheon that United Way is her No. 1 charity. In fact, she and then Vols’ coach Kevin O’Neill co-chaired the United Way of Greater Knoxville campaign in the mid 1990s.
“I remember going to the agencies, and returning with a tear in my eye every time. These visits were life changing for me,” she said.
Coach Summitt, who is the winningest coach in college basketball history, said while she will be remembered for her coaching prowess, she also wants to be remembered as someone who cared for others, and United Way is a great means of showing that compassion.
“That’s how you should want to be remembered … how you invest in others,” she said. “I am asking all of you to invest in Cleveland in a positive way by helping United Way.”
United Way of Bradley County Board Chairman Stephen Crass thanked Coach Summitt for “encouraging all of us to make a difference with this campaign. We know that the results will be impressive, in spite of our challenges this year.”
Several of the early campaigns reported partial totals, as their campaigns are still in progress. Others reported totals that exceeded their 2008 pledges. Each of these companies will be recognized at the United Way of Bradley County’s first report luncheon on Sept. 16.
Companies servings as Pacesetter and Challenger firms include Whirlpool Cooking, Whirlpool eXperience Center, Cormetech, Manufacturers Chemicals, Brenda Lawson & Associates, Athens Federal Community Bank, Bank of Cleveland, BB&T Bank, First Tennessee Bank, Regions Bank, Southern Heritage Bank, SunTrust Bank, United Community Bank, Easy Auto/Sunrise Acceptance, SkyRidge Medical Center, Peyton’s Southeastern, Procter & Gamble/Duracell, Cleveland Utilities, Cleveland City Schools, Bradley County Schools, Lee University and Life Care Centers of America.
“Most of these companies are still in the process of holding their meetings so they do not have the final results today; they will help us set the pace, however, and we encourage all of our companies and individuals to get their own campaigns started and make a difference in the lives of thousands of service recipients in our community,” Crass said.
He added that he hoped supporters would “thoughtfully give to help our neighbors. This will be a very difficult campaign with the troubles in our economy and that is even more reason why we all need to help a little bit more.”
This year’s campaign is chaired by Darlia Conn, Janey Cooke, Dan Cooke and Dr. Paul Conn. Rather than the married couples working as team leaders, campaign divisions are divided between the women and the men.
Their campaign division chairs will be announced soon, and will give division results at the Sept. 16 report luncheon.
Tuesday’s kickoff luncheon was hosted by the Cleveland Rotary Club and Kiwanis Club of Cleveland.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thompson, Yow, Curran selected for Lapchick Awards
Former Georgetown coach John Thompson, the late Kay Yow and high school coaching legend Jack Curran were selected Wednesday to receive the second annual Lapchick Character Awards.
The three will be honored at a luncheon at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19, it was announced Wednesday.
The award, started by a group including Joe Lapchick biographer and former player Gus Alfieri, recognizes coaches who have shown the character traits and coaching skills of the Hall of Famer who coached St. John's and the New York Knicks.
Thompson led Georgetown to three Final Four appearances, including the 1984 national championship, the first won by a black head coach. All but two of the 78 players who stayed four years with him at Georgetown received a diploma (97 percent). His son, John III, is the current coach at Georgetown.
Yow had a successful coaching career at North Carolina State, leading the Wolfpack to the Final Four in 1998. But it was her 22-year fight with breast cancer that became her legacy and she helped to raise funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Yow and Thompson, both members of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, were the U.S. Olympic coaches in 1988, the women winning the gold medal, the men the bronze.
Curran will begin his 52nd season at New York City's Archbishop Molloy High School where he has won more than 900 games, the New York State record, five city championships. He helped almost 500 players receive athletic scholarships, including Kevin Joyce, Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson. He has won more than 1,600 games and 17 city titles as Molloy's baseball coach.
St. John's Athletic Director Emeritus Jack Kaiser will be honored for his support of the Lapchick Award committee. Kaiser, one of the founders of the Big East Conference, is the only man to play for and coach under Lapchick.
The inaugural group of Lapchick honorees was Hall of Famers Pat Summitt, Lou Carnesecca and Dean Smith.
The award is sponsored by Nike, D'Agostino Supermarkets and HHI Hotels.
The three will be honored at a luncheon at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19, it was announced Wednesday.
The award, started by a group including Joe Lapchick biographer and former player Gus Alfieri, recognizes coaches who have shown the character traits and coaching skills of the Hall of Famer who coached St. John's and the New York Knicks.
Thompson led Georgetown to three Final Four appearances, including the 1984 national championship, the first won by a black head coach. All but two of the 78 players who stayed four years with him at Georgetown received a diploma (97 percent). His son, John III, is the current coach at Georgetown.
Yow had a successful coaching career at North Carolina State, leading the Wolfpack to the Final Four in 1998. But it was her 22-year fight with breast cancer that became her legacy and she helped to raise funds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research.
Yow and Thompson, both members of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, were the U.S. Olympic coaches in 1988, the women winning the gold medal, the men the bronze.
Curran will begin his 52nd season at New York City's Archbishop Molloy High School where he has won more than 900 games, the New York State record, five city championships. He helped almost 500 players receive athletic scholarships, including Kevin Joyce, Kenny Smith and Kenny Anderson. He has won more than 1,600 games and 17 city titles as Molloy's baseball coach.
St. John's Athletic Director Emeritus Jack Kaiser will be honored for his support of the Lapchick Award committee. Kaiser, one of the founders of the Big East Conference, is the only man to play for and coach under Lapchick.
The inaugural group of Lapchick honorees was Hall of Famers Pat Summitt, Lou Carnesecca and Dean Smith.
The award is sponsored by Nike, D'Agostino Supermarkets and HHI Hotels.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Lady Vols release hoops schedule
Baylor, Texas Tech, Texas, UCLA and Stanford are among the team's 2009-10 foes.
The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers released the basketball schedule for the 2009-10 season today.
In addition to the expanded Southeastern Conference slate of 16 games, the Lady Vols will also run the gauntlet of powerhouses tangling with Baylor, Texas Tech, Virginia, Middle Tennessee, UCLA, George Washington, Texas, Rutgers, Louisville, Stanford, San Francisco, Old Dominion and Oklahoma on the non-conference side.
"Another competitive schedule for the coming year," said Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt, who is beginning her 36th season at Tennessee and is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach starting the campaign with a 1,005-193 overall record. "This schedule is exciting and challenging and will help to prepare us for post-season play."
In the first month of the season, Tennessee will appear in three "Classics." The Lady Vols will play host to Baylor in the regular season opener in the State Farm Classic on Nov. 15 in Knoxville; travels to San Antonio, Texas, site of the 2010 NCAA Final Four on Nov. 17 to face Texas Tech in the ESPN Classic, and concludes the cavalcade of "Classics" at the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 13 facing rival Rutgers.
"Those are three great tests for our team," said Summitt. "I'm excited to be opening at home against Baylor and look forward to taking our team to San Antonio to face Texas Tech and to the Garden to play Rutgers - great teams and exciting venues."
In all, UT will be facing competition from nine different conferences including the Atlantic 10, ACC, Big 12, BIG EAST, Colonial, Pac 10, Southeastern, Sunbelt and West Coast Conferences.
"Once again, I'm thrilled that we'll be playing 17 home dates (including the exhibition games) in our arena. Our young team will certainly benefit from playing in front of our great fans -- they will be treated to a tremendous home schedule," said Summitt.
The season gets underway with a pair of exhibition tune-ups in Knoxville as Carson-Newman comes to town on Nov. 5 and an old foe from the AIAW national scene of the 1970's, Delta State University makes its first appearance at UT in 30 years in a game on Nov. 9. The Lady Vols officially open the season at home on Nov. 15 facing Baylor.
The remainder of the November slate includes a trip to San Antonio to face Texas Tech at the AT&T Center on Nov. 17 and back-to-back road games at Virginia on Nov. 22 and a trip mid-state to face Middle Tennessee on Nov. 25. Former Lady Vol player and assistant coach Nikki Caldwell, now head coach at UCLA, will bring her Bruins to Knoxville on Nov. 28 to round out the month.
Tennessee starts the December portion of its schedule with consecutive home games facing George Washington on Dec. 1 and Texas on Dec. 6 before taking a break for final exams. The Lady Vols will resume playing hoops on Dec. 13 facing Rutgers in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13. A new first-time opponent for Tennessee will be Louisville, the 2009 NCAA Championship runner-up, when it visits Thompson-Boling on Dec. 16. The Lady Vols will then hit the road for a pair of games traveling to Stanford on Dec. 19 and then swinging up to San Francisco to play former Lady Vol Tanya Haave's Dons on Dec. 22. Following a break for the Christmas holidays, Tennessee concludes the 2009 portion of the schedule with a game against Old Dominion in Knoxville on Dec. 30.
In January, the Lady Vols open the 2010 side of the schedule facing its fourth Big 12 team of the season as Oklahoma comes to Knoxville on Jan. 3 for the final regular season non-conference match-up. Following that game, the SEC portion of the schedule cranks up as South Carolina comes to town on Jan. 7. This season marks the first time since the 2004-05 campaign that the Lady Vols won't play a non-conference foe in the middle of SEC league play.
January continues with road games at Mississippi State (Jan. 10), Florida (Jan. 14), Georgia (Jan. 21), LSU (Jan. 24), and South Carolina (Jan. 31). Other first month home games include Vanderbilt on Jan. 17 and Auburn on Jan. 28. To open the month of February, Arkansas visits Knoxville on the 4th. UT then travels for an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting at Vanderbilt (Feb. 8) and to Mississippi (Feb. 11). Other February home dates include Florida (Feb. 14), an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting with LSU (Feb. 22), Kentucky on Feb. 25 and Mississippi (Feb. 28). The other February road trip is a jaunt to Alabama (Feb. 18).
In the new expanded 16-game SEC schedule, the Lady Vols play home-and-home games with Florida, LSU, Mississippi and South Carolina this season, to go along with its annual home-and-home traditional rival contests versus Vanderbilt.
"The SEC - from top to bottom -- will be as strong and unpredictable as it has ever been," professed Summitt. "Great coaches and some incredible young talent is going to make a tough league, even tougher. To be sure, the SEC schedule will be extremely challenging."
In the postseason, the 2010 SEC Tournament will venture back to popular Duluth, Ga., Mar. 4-7. When the height of March Madness begins and the NCAA Tournament is announced on Mar. 15, four teams will be heading to Thompson-Boling Arena as women's basketball fans will be treated to NCAA First/Second Round action in Knoxville, Tenn., Mar. 20 & 22.
Other NCAA First/Second Round games will be played at 15 additional sites from Mar. 20-23. The NCAA Regional Championships will be contested, Mar. 27-30 and the season will culminate with the 2010 NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas, April 4 & 6.
View/download schedule by clicking here.
The University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers released the basketball schedule for the 2009-10 season today.
In addition to the expanded Southeastern Conference slate of 16 games, the Lady Vols will also run the gauntlet of powerhouses tangling with Baylor, Texas Tech, Virginia, Middle Tennessee, UCLA, George Washington, Texas, Rutgers, Louisville, Stanford, San Francisco, Old Dominion and Oklahoma on the non-conference side.
"Another competitive schedule for the coming year," said Lady Vol coach Pat Summitt, who is beginning her 36th season at Tennessee and is the NCAA's all-time winningest coach starting the campaign with a 1,005-193 overall record. "This schedule is exciting and challenging and will help to prepare us for post-season play."
In the first month of the season, Tennessee will appear in three "Classics." The Lady Vols will play host to Baylor in the regular season opener in the State Farm Classic on Nov. 15 in Knoxville; travels to San Antonio, Texas, site of the 2010 NCAA Final Four on Nov. 17 to face Texas Tech in the ESPN Classic, and concludes the cavalcade of "Classics" at the Maggie Dixon Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York on Dec. 13 facing rival Rutgers.
"Those are three great tests for our team," said Summitt. "I'm excited to be opening at home against Baylor and look forward to taking our team to San Antonio to face Texas Tech and to the Garden to play Rutgers - great teams and exciting venues."
In all, UT will be facing competition from nine different conferences including the Atlantic 10, ACC, Big 12, BIG EAST, Colonial, Pac 10, Southeastern, Sunbelt and West Coast Conferences.
"Once again, I'm thrilled that we'll be playing 17 home dates (including the exhibition games) in our arena. Our young team will certainly benefit from playing in front of our great fans -- they will be treated to a tremendous home schedule," said Summitt.
The season gets underway with a pair of exhibition tune-ups in Knoxville as Carson-Newman comes to town on Nov. 5 and an old foe from the AIAW national scene of the 1970's, Delta State University makes its first appearance at UT in 30 years in a game on Nov. 9. The Lady Vols officially open the season at home on Nov. 15 facing Baylor.
The remainder of the November slate includes a trip to San Antonio to face Texas Tech at the AT&T Center on Nov. 17 and back-to-back road games at Virginia on Nov. 22 and a trip mid-state to face Middle Tennessee on Nov. 25. Former Lady Vol player and assistant coach Nikki Caldwell, now head coach at UCLA, will bring her Bruins to Knoxville on Nov. 28 to round out the month.
Tennessee starts the December portion of its schedule with consecutive home games facing George Washington on Dec. 1 and Texas on Dec. 6 before taking a break for final exams. The Lady Vols will resume playing hoops on Dec. 13 facing Rutgers in Madison Square Garden on Dec. 13. A new first-time opponent for Tennessee will be Louisville, the 2009 NCAA Championship runner-up, when it visits Thompson-Boling on Dec. 16. The Lady Vols will then hit the road for a pair of games traveling to Stanford on Dec. 19 and then swinging up to San Francisco to play former Lady Vol Tanya Haave's Dons on Dec. 22. Following a break for the Christmas holidays, Tennessee concludes the 2009 portion of the schedule with a game against Old Dominion in Knoxville on Dec. 30.
In January, the Lady Vols open the 2010 side of the schedule facing its fourth Big 12 team of the season as Oklahoma comes to Knoxville on Jan. 3 for the final regular season non-conference match-up. Following that game, the SEC portion of the schedule cranks up as South Carolina comes to town on Jan. 7. This season marks the first time since the 2004-05 campaign that the Lady Vols won't play a non-conference foe in the middle of SEC league play.
January continues with road games at Mississippi State (Jan. 10), Florida (Jan. 14), Georgia (Jan. 21), LSU (Jan. 24), and South Carolina (Jan. 31). Other first month home games include Vanderbilt on Jan. 17 and Auburn on Jan. 28. To open the month of February, Arkansas visits Knoxville on the 4th. UT then travels for an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting at Vanderbilt (Feb. 8) and to Mississippi (Feb. 11). Other February home dates include Florida (Feb. 14), an ESPN2 "Big Monday" meeting with LSU (Feb. 22), Kentucky on Feb. 25 and Mississippi (Feb. 28). The other February road trip is a jaunt to Alabama (Feb. 18).
In the new expanded 16-game SEC schedule, the Lady Vols play home-and-home games with Florida, LSU, Mississippi and South Carolina this season, to go along with its annual home-and-home traditional rival contests versus Vanderbilt.
"The SEC - from top to bottom -- will be as strong and unpredictable as it has ever been," professed Summitt. "Great coaches and some incredible young talent is going to make a tough league, even tougher. To be sure, the SEC schedule will be extremely challenging."
In the postseason, the 2010 SEC Tournament will venture back to popular Duluth, Ga., Mar. 4-7. When the height of March Madness begins and the NCAA Tournament is announced on Mar. 15, four teams will be heading to Thompson-Boling Arena as women's basketball fans will be treated to NCAA First/Second Round action in Knoxville, Tenn., Mar. 20 & 22.
Other NCAA First/Second Round games will be played at 15 additional sites from Mar. 20-23. The NCAA Regional Championships will be contested, Mar. 27-30 and the season will culminate with the 2010 NCAA Final Four at the Alamodome, in San Antonio, Texas, April 4 & 6.
View/download schedule by clicking here.
Coaching Legend Pat Summitt to Speak at Dream Game
Pat Summitt, the legendary Head Coach of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, will address fans following the Dream's game on August 23 against the Los Angeles Sparks. Four of Summitt's former players will be competing in the game-Chamique Holdsclaw and Michelle Snow of the Dream and Candace Parker and Shannon Bobbitt of the Sparks.
Tip-off is scheduled for 3 pm on Sunday, August 23 at Philips Arena as the Dream square off against the Los Angeles Sparks. Summitt will be honored by the Dream during halftime for her numerous accomplishments and contributions to the game. The Lady Vols head coach since 1974, Summitt has won eight NCAA championships and recently became the first NCAA Division I coach (men or women) to reach 1,000 victories in her career. During her tenure, her Lady Vols teams have produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans on 33 teams, 10 first-round WNBA Draft selections, and 30 WNBA players.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the game. Sunday's game is the only time the Sparks will travel to Atlanta during the regular season and will mark Lisa Leslie's final game in Atlanta. Leslie, the three-time WNBA MVP, announced earlier this year that this will be her final season in the league.
The Dream are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference (includes games through August 17). The top four teams from each conference go to the playoffs. Atlanta's next game is Thursday, August 20 against Becky Hammon and the San Antonio Silver Stars. Tickets for all Atlanta Dream home games are still available, starting as low as $10. For more information and to purchase season tickets, fans can call 404.604.2626 or visit www.AtlantaDream.net. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX, at AtlantaDream.net, at the Philips Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Tip-off is scheduled for 3 pm on Sunday, August 23 at Philips Arena as the Dream square off against the Los Angeles Sparks. Summitt will be honored by the Dream during halftime for her numerous accomplishments and contributions to the game. The Lady Vols head coach since 1974, Summitt has won eight NCAA championships and recently became the first NCAA Division I coach (men or women) to reach 1,000 victories in her career. During her tenure, her Lady Vols teams have produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans on 33 teams, 10 first-round WNBA Draft selections, and 30 WNBA players.
A limited number of tickets are still available for the game. Sunday's game is the only time the Sparks will travel to Atlanta during the regular season and will mark Lisa Leslie's final game in Atlanta. Leslie, the three-time WNBA MVP, announced earlier this year that this will be her final season in the league.
The Dream are currently in second place in the Eastern Conference (includes games through August 17). The top four teams from each conference go to the playoffs. Atlanta's next game is Thursday, August 20 against Becky Hammon and the San Antonio Silver Stars. Tickets for all Atlanta Dream home games are still available, starting as low as $10. For more information and to purchase season tickets, fans can call 404.604.2626 or visit www.AtlantaDream.net. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX, at AtlantaDream.net, at the Philips Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Summitt Featured in Women in Business Magazine
University of Tennessee coach Pat Summitt is featured in the August/September issue of Women in Business®, a magazine devoted to topics relevant to working women, including articles about leading women in this country. It is beneficial to learn from women who have succeeded in their careers, and what insights they offer which may inspire other women to reach for their goals. 
Click the image below to view the article.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lady Vols basketball player going home from Drake Center
Amber Gray, 19-year-old forward for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, is going home from Drake Center Tuesday, August 11.
Gray underwent elective surgery on July 2 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville to repair her rotator cuff. Post-surgery complications led to the discovery of an unrelated brain aneurysm that began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke. She was flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati where renowned neurosurgeon Mario Zuccarello, M.D., of the Mayfield Clinic and the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute performed a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure to clip the aneurysm.
Gray was admitted to Drake Center on July 23 for rehabilitation to help build her strength, and improve walking and swallowing. She is being discharged 2 ½ weeks sooner than expected, and will begin a sports rehab program.
Gray’s mother, Tonya Carter, believes the miracle of this experience is that having the rotator cuff surgery may have saved her life since it led to the discovery of the aneurysm in the best possible surroundings. “Some people are born with aneurysms, and they don’t find out until it’s too late,” she said.
Clinicians at Drake are attributing Gray’s early discharge to her strong spirit and positive attitude, and her coach and teammates say her illness has brought them closer together. “Amber is family,” said Lady Vols Coach, Pat Summitt.
Others attending the news conference are: Amber’s mother, Tonya Carter and Drake physician, Mark Goddard, M.D., Medical Director for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Gray is a high school All-American (Lakota West High School) from Mason, Ohio.
She played in 27 games as a freshman for the Lady Vols last season.
Gray underwent elective surgery on July 2 at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Knoxville to repair her rotator cuff. Post-surgery complications led to the discovery of an unrelated brain aneurysm that began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke. She was flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati where renowned neurosurgeon Mario Zuccarello, M.D., of the Mayfield Clinic and the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute performed a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure to clip the aneurysm.
Gray was admitted to Drake Center on July 23 for rehabilitation to help build her strength, and improve walking and swallowing. She is being discharged 2 ½ weeks sooner than expected, and will begin a sports rehab program.
Gray’s mother, Tonya Carter, believes the miracle of this experience is that having the rotator cuff surgery may have saved her life since it led to the discovery of the aneurysm in the best possible surroundings. “Some people are born with aneurysms, and they don’t find out until it’s too late,” she said.
Clinicians at Drake are attributing Gray’s early discharge to her strong spirit and positive attitude, and her coach and teammates say her illness has brought them closer together. “Amber is family,” said Lady Vols Coach, Pat Summitt.
Others attending the news conference are: Amber’s mother, Tonya Carter and Drake physician, Mark Goddard, M.D., Medical Director for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Gray is a high school All-American (Lakota West High School) from Mason, Ohio.
She played in 27 games as a freshman for the Lady Vols last season.
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Pat Summitt to kick off United Way campaign
Coach Pat Summitt, the winningest coach in college basketball history, will be helping United Way of Bradley County kickoff its annual campaign on Aug. 25 at the organization's Campaign Kickoff Luncheon.
This luncheon will be held for the first time at Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy and is the traditional beginning of the United Way of Bradley County campaign.
Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy is located at the intersection of Peerless Road and Raider Drive.
Coach Summitt enters her 36th season as coach this year, having recorded more than 1,000 collegiate wins. Her Lady Vols have been crowned National Champion eight times, including most recently back-to-back titles in 2007 and 2008.
During her tenure at UT, Summitt's teams have also produced 27 Southern Conference tournament and regular season championships, have made an unprecedented 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament and produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans named to 33 teams, 72 All-SEC performers, 45 international participants and 43 professional players representing the ABL, WNBA or overseas teams.
Along with success on the court, Coach Summit has a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee.
This will be Coach Summitt's second appearance at a United Way of Bradley County kickoff luncheon.
"We were honored to have Coach Summitt help us kick off our campaign back in 2006 and are pleased that she has agreed to return and get us off to a great start for the 2009 United Way campaign," said United Way of Bradley County Board Chairman Stephen Crass.
Crass was a campaign co-chair the year Summitt first spoke at a United Way kickoff.
"This is so special because Coach Summitt makes very few appearances away from the Knoxville area for such events, but has such a commitment to United Way that she agreed to help us again get our campaign off to a great start," he noted.
Coach Summitt cochaired the United Way campaign in Knoxville in 1996 and continues to be an active spokesman for United Way. When she served as co-chair for the United Way of Greater Knoxville campaign, she gave hundreds of speeches and logged incredible amounts of time visiting the various United Way agencies, while also involved in recruiting, running camps and continuing to direct the most successful program in the nation.
She also has worked with The Race for the Cure, Juvenile Diabetes, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Easter Seals, and American Heart Association and American Lung Association. In 1996, she was named "Distinguished Citizen of the Year" by the Great Smoky Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, a United Way agency.
"Coach Summitt has such a busy schedule as coach of the Lady Vols, that it is amazing to see how much she gives back to the community," Crass added. "Her dedication to helping those in the community who receive help through United Way agencies is an inspiration to all of us that we too can take time out of our busy schedules and help others."
Along with the visit from Coach Summitt, the kickoff luncheon will also feature presentations from Pacesetter and Challenger firms, both of which conduct early campaigns and report their totals at that time. Challenger firms also pledge to attempt to raise 10 percent more in contributions than the previous year's campaign.
The meeting will begin at noon, but food lines for the luncheon will open at 11:15 a.m., and with a large crowd expected, organizers suggest arriving early. Tickets are $15 each.
Reservations are required for the luncheon, and may be made, by mail, by writing the United Way of Bradley County at P.O. Box 193, Cleveland, TN 37364-0193, by fax at 339-1110, by e-mail at unitedwaybc@yahoo.com or by calling the United Way office at 479-2020 or 472-9876.
Deadline for reservations is Aug. 18.
The kickoff will be co-hosted by the Rotary Club of Cleveland and the Kiwanis Club of Cleveland and will be considered a regular meeting for those organizations.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Coach Summitt named 11th greatest Coach of all time by the Sports News
University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball head coach Pat Summitt has been named the 11th greatest coach of all-time in a ranking compiled by the Sporting News.
The list of the 50 greatest coaches, appearing in this week’s issue, was voted on by 118 Hall of Famers, championship coaches and other experts and includes coaches from every sport.
“I am honored to be named the 11th greatest coach by the Sporting News,” said Summitt. “This is truly a reflection of the hard work put in by all the great assistant coaches and players who have been a part of our program. The fact that I was selected to such a prestigious list by my peers makes the recognition that much more special. The accomplishments of the coaches on this list are awe-inspiring.”
Summitt, who owns a 1,005-193 career record and eight national championships, is the third college basketball coach, the highest ranking women’s coach and the only female coach to make the list.
The voting panel included seven World Series-winning managers, four Super Bowl champion coaches, and the winningest coaches in the NBA, NHL and college basketball.
The list of the 50 greatest coaches, appearing in this week’s issue, was voted on by 118 Hall of Famers, championship coaches and other experts and includes coaches from every sport.
“I am honored to be named the 11th greatest coach by the Sporting News,” said Summitt. “This is truly a reflection of the hard work put in by all the great assistant coaches and players who have been a part of our program. The fact that I was selected to such a prestigious list by my peers makes the recognition that much more special. The accomplishments of the coaches on this list are awe-inspiring.”
Summitt, who owns a 1,005-193 career record and eight national championships, is the third college basketball coach, the highest ranking women’s coach and the only female coach to make the list.
The voting panel included seven World Series-winning managers, four Super Bowl champion coaches, and the winningest coaches in the NBA, NHL and college basketball.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Lady Vol Amber Gray undergoes successful brain surgery
University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball player Amber Gray is now recovering from brain surgery.
Gray, 19 had undergone successful shoulder surgery on July 2nd after injuring her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Shortly after surgery, Volunteer TV Sports Overtime broke the story that she would be kept in the hospital after doctors detected what was called an “undisclosed complication.”
Gray’s mother told GoVolsXtra.com on Monday night that during postoperative tests that they had discovered an aneurysm that was beginning to hemorrhage.
An aneurysm occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the cerebral artery which is located in the brain. To correct the problem, Gray underwent a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure last week at the University of Cincinnati’s Neuroscience institute.
The rising sophomore has already been moved to a rehabilitation center according to GoVolsXtra.com.
Gray, 19 had undergone successful shoulder surgery on July 2nd after injuring her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Shortly after surgery, Volunteer TV Sports Overtime broke the story that she would be kept in the hospital after doctors detected what was called an “undisclosed complication.”
Gray’s mother told GoVolsXtra.com on Monday night that during postoperative tests that they had discovered an aneurysm that was beginning to hemorrhage.
An aneurysm occurs when there is a weakness in the wall of the cerebral artery which is located in the brain. To correct the problem, Gray underwent a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure last week at the University of Cincinnati’s Neuroscience institute.
The rising sophomore has already been moved to a rehabilitation center according to GoVolsXtra.com.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
Lady Vols' Gray to be taken to Cincinnati hospital
Jenny Moshak, University of Tennessee Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, announced an update regarding Lady Vol basketball rising sophomore Amber Gray.
One week ago, on July 2, 2009, Drs. Greg Mathien and Russell Betcher, UT team orthopedists, performed arthroscopic surgery on Gray’s left shoulder to repair her posterior capsule and labrum.
“Amber had a successful shoulder surgery,” said Moshak. “However, she experienced some post-operative complications unrelated to her shoulder. At this time, she is still undergoing diagnostic testing and will require further rehabilitation.
“We have determined that the best course of action would be to transfer her to a local hospital near her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.”
Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols’ post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.
One week ago, on July 2, 2009, Drs. Greg Mathien and Russell Betcher, UT team orthopedists, performed arthroscopic surgery on Gray’s left shoulder to repair her posterior capsule and labrum.
“Amber had a successful shoulder surgery,” said Moshak. “However, she experienced some post-operative complications unrelated to her shoulder. At this time, she is still undergoing diagnostic testing and will require further rehabilitation.
“We have determined that the best course of action would be to transfer her to a local hospital near her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio.”
Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols’ post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Maggie Dixon Classic lineup released
NEW YORK -- Pat Summitt, C. Vivian Stringer, and a 6-foot-7 freshman phenom highlight the fourth annual Maggie Dixon Classic.
The women's doubleheader will be played Dec. 13 at Madison Square Garden.
The two Hall of Fame coaches will meet for the seventh straight year when Tennessee and Rutgers will play in one game. Baylor and freshman star Brittney Griner will face Boston College in the other contest.
The last two meetings between the Lady Vols and Scarlet Knights were thrillers. Tennessee beat Rutgers on a controversial finish two years ago in Knoxville and last season, the Scarlet Knights built a 20-point halftime lead only to see it evaporate as the Lady Vols completed the biggest comeback in school history to win 55-51.
The two teams played once before at Madison Square Garden. Tennessee won 68-54 in 1999.
Baylor will be making its first appearance at MSG. The Lady Bears finished fifth in the final Top 25 poll before losing in the regional semifinals to Louisville. Griner made a name for herself in high school with her highlight-reel dunks and blocked shots.
Boston College is in its second year under coach Sylvia Crawley. She led them to the semifinals of the WNIT last season.
It's the third straight season that the Scarlet Knights will play in the Classic named for the former Army women's coach. Last season Rutgers routed Army and Connecticut beat Penn State in front of nearly 9,500 fans.
Maggie Dixon died April 6, 2006, of arrhythmia, probably caused by an enlarged heart. Her death came three weeks after her first season as a head coach, a performance that won the admiration of the academy and all of college basketball.
The inaugural Maggie Dixon Classic was held at Army in 2006 -- a men's and women's doubleheader. Pitt's men's team -- coached by Maggie's brother Jamie, beat Western Michigan and Ohio State routed Army.
The women's doubleheader will be played Dec. 13 at Madison Square Garden.
The two Hall of Fame coaches will meet for the seventh straight year when Tennessee and Rutgers will play in one game. Baylor and freshman star Brittney Griner will face Boston College in the other contest.
The last two meetings between the Lady Vols and Scarlet Knights were thrillers. Tennessee beat Rutgers on a controversial finish two years ago in Knoxville and last season, the Scarlet Knights built a 20-point halftime lead only to see it evaporate as the Lady Vols completed the biggest comeback in school history to win 55-51.
The two teams played once before at Madison Square Garden. Tennessee won 68-54 in 1999.
Baylor will be making its first appearance at MSG. The Lady Bears finished fifth in the final Top 25 poll before losing in the regional semifinals to Louisville. Griner made a name for herself in high school with her highlight-reel dunks and blocked shots.
Boston College is in its second year under coach Sylvia Crawley. She led them to the semifinals of the WNIT last season.
It's the third straight season that the Scarlet Knights will play in the Classic named for the former Army women's coach. Last season Rutgers routed Army and Connecticut beat Penn State in front of nearly 9,500 fans.
Maggie Dixon died April 6, 2006, of arrhythmia, probably caused by an enlarged heart. Her death came three weeks after her first season as a head coach, a performance that won the admiration of the academy and all of college basketball.
The inaugural Maggie Dixon Classic was held at Army in 2006 -- a men's and women's doubleheader. Pitt's men's team -- coached by Maggie's brother Jamie, beat Western Michigan and Ohio State routed Army.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Lady Vol Amber Gray remains in hospital after surgery
Jenny Moshak, University of Tennessee Associate Athletics Director for Sports Medicine, announced this afternoon that Lady Vol basketball rising sophomore Amber Gray had undergone successful shoulder surgery today.
However, sources tell Volunteer TV that Gray remains in the hospital after the surgery because of an undisclosed medical issue.
Gray injured her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Her rehabilitation was expected to take six months. The Sports Overtime team was unable to ascertain the seriousness of the post-surgery medical issue.
Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols' post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.
However, sources tell Volunteer TV that Gray remains in the hospital after the surgery because of an undisclosed medical issue.
Gray injured her shoulder during a postseason practice session. Her rehabilitation was expected to take six months. The Sports Overtime team was unable to ascertain the seriousness of the post-surgery medical issue.
Gray, a 6-1 forward from West Chester, Ohio, injured her shoulder during a Lady Vols' post-NCAA practice session. During her freshman season, Gray played in 27 games. She averaged 2.7 ppg and 1.9 rpg in 7.6 minutes per contest.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
10 Questions for Candace Parker
1. Do you think women's basketball is catching on with the masses? James Fields SAN BERNARDINO, CALIF.
I think it is catching on. It's the fastest-growing sport in America. I think a lot of guys are learning to respect our game as well. Our women's Olympic team is going for its fifth gold medal in 2012.
2. When do you think the salaries of female basketball players will begin to approach the salaries of male players? Anne Kenefic JAMESTOWN, N.Y.
I look at it this way: the WNBA is 13 years young. I think eventually women will get to that point, maybe in my daughter's generation, where their salaries will be similar to men's. But we're still starting off, like, where the NBA was back in the 1950s. (See pictures of Parker's career.)
3. Do you think they should create coed-league sports on a professional level? Luke Denker, BELTON, MO.
I don't think it's necessary. I think it's neat that women play our game. Obviously, the strength of men--I really don't feel like we could play in a professional league with them. I think it's great that young girls have the WNBA to look up to now.
4. How are you doing with your new daughter? Has your coach at Tennessee, Pat Summitt, started recruiting her yet? Brenda Goodman JOHNSON CITY, TENN.
When I first told Coach Summitt that I was pregnant, she was like, Where can we send the papers? I had to remind her that my husband [Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shelden Williams] went to Duke, so he's pushing for her to go there. But I'm doing great. My baby is the joy in my life. Obviously, I'm suffering from lack of sleep, but it truly is a blessing to be a mother.
5. How hard is it coming back to the WNBA after a pregnancy? Emily Johnston MARYVILLE, TENN.
My teammates have done it. Tina Thompson came back the same season she delivered her son. Lisa Leslie waited a year. They're still at the top of their game. I don't think it's going to be easy, by any means, but I think it's possible to come back better than I was. I understand my body a lot more. I focus a lot more on stretching and taking care of myself.
6. How do you feel you have impacted women's sports, and what do you believe is your responsibility to young women coming up in sports? Hernan Gonzalez ORLANDO, FLA.
I don't know if I've necessarily done it, but my goal is to allow girls the same opportunities that I had. I was literally in the first generation that could look up to female athletes as role models. I was a humongous Mia Hamm fan. I wanted to be a soccer player until I was in the eighth grade. She was my role model. That's what I hope to be.
7. My 10-year-old daughter Hannah has aspirations of playing college ball. What is your advice for her? Rob Swiger, GALAX, VA.
Go out there and play against guys. That's what I did growing up. I have two older brothers who beat me up and made me tough, and I love them for it. I would always play against them because they were bigger and faster and stronger, and it makes you tougher.
8. Would you ever sign to play in the NBA? Warren Spencer MANTECA, CALIF.
Sure.
9. Growing up playing basketball, did you ever have to deal with negative or sexist comments? Minnesa Khan, JAMAICA, N.Y.
I never really had to. When I would go to the park, maybe initially they would be like, She's a girl, she can't play. But then the next time, they were picking me first for their team. Let your actions speak for themselves. Don't worry about what everybody else is saying. Just concentrate on playing basketball and embrace being a woman and being in sports.
10. Do you ever play your husband one on one? Dan Sutin, TORONTO
Shelden and I don't play because we are so competitive, we would probably hurt each other.
I think it is catching on. It's the fastest-growing sport in America. I think a lot of guys are learning to respect our game as well. Our women's Olympic team is going for its fifth gold medal in 2012.
2. When do you think the salaries of female basketball players will begin to approach the salaries of male players? Anne Kenefic JAMESTOWN, N.Y.
I look at it this way: the WNBA is 13 years young. I think eventually women will get to that point, maybe in my daughter's generation, where their salaries will be similar to men's. But we're still starting off, like, where the NBA was back in the 1950s. (See pictures of Parker's career.)
3. Do you think they should create coed-league sports on a professional level? Luke Denker, BELTON, MO.
I don't think it's necessary. I think it's neat that women play our game. Obviously, the strength of men--I really don't feel like we could play in a professional league with them. I think it's great that young girls have the WNBA to look up to now.
4. How are you doing with your new daughter? Has your coach at Tennessee, Pat Summitt, started recruiting her yet? Brenda Goodman JOHNSON CITY, TENN.
When I first told Coach Summitt that I was pregnant, she was like, Where can we send the papers? I had to remind her that my husband [Minnesota Timberwolves forward Shelden Williams] went to Duke, so he's pushing for her to go there. But I'm doing great. My baby is the joy in my life. Obviously, I'm suffering from lack of sleep, but it truly is a blessing to be a mother.
5. How hard is it coming back to the WNBA after a pregnancy? Emily Johnston MARYVILLE, TENN.
My teammates have done it. Tina Thompson came back the same season she delivered her son. Lisa Leslie waited a year. They're still at the top of their game. I don't think it's going to be easy, by any means, but I think it's possible to come back better than I was. I understand my body a lot more. I focus a lot more on stretching and taking care of myself.
6. How do you feel you have impacted women's sports, and what do you believe is your responsibility to young women coming up in sports? Hernan Gonzalez ORLANDO, FLA.
I don't know if I've necessarily done it, but my goal is to allow girls the same opportunities that I had. I was literally in the first generation that could look up to female athletes as role models. I was a humongous Mia Hamm fan. I wanted to be a soccer player until I was in the eighth grade. She was my role model. That's what I hope to be.
7. My 10-year-old daughter Hannah has aspirations of playing college ball. What is your advice for her? Rob Swiger, GALAX, VA.
Go out there and play against guys. That's what I did growing up. I have two older brothers who beat me up and made me tough, and I love them for it. I would always play against them because they were bigger and faster and stronger, and it makes you tougher.
8. Would you ever sign to play in the NBA? Warren Spencer MANTECA, CALIF.
Sure.
9. Growing up playing basketball, did you ever have to deal with negative or sexist comments? Minnesa Khan, JAMAICA, N.Y.
I never really had to. When I would go to the park, maybe initially they would be like, She's a girl, she can't play. But then the next time, they were picking me first for their team. Let your actions speak for themselves. Don't worry about what everybody else is saying. Just concentrate on playing basketball and embrace being a woman and being in sports.
10. Do you ever play your husband one on one? Dan Sutin, TORONTO
Shelden and I don't play because we are so competitive, we would probably hurt each other.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Summitt will be featured Fever guest
University of Tennessee women's basketball coach Pat Summitt will be the featured guest for the Indiana Fever's Inspiring Women Night on July 30 when they play Connecticut.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Things you may not know about Pat Summitt
The YWCA has chosen the eight women who will be named Lifetime Achievement honorees at its 25th annual Tribute to Women event on Aug. 20. They are all women who've led the way on their individual career paths:
Donna Cobble, the first woman on a number of local community boards and the first female chair of both the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and the United Way campaign;
Pam Fansler, the first female East Market President of First Tennessee Bank;
Sarah Moore Greene, longtime educator and first black member of the Knoxville City Board of Education;
Debra London, first female president of a major East Tennessee medical center, now Mercy Health Partners;
Barbara Reid, first black associate dean of the University of Tennessee's College of Nursing;
Mintha Roach, first female CEO of the Knoxville Utilities Board;
Liane Russell, a retired ORNL scientist and a leading researcher; and
Pat Summitt, the most winning coach in NCAA basketball history.
Things you may not know about Pat Summitt, head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team
Education? BS in physical education, University of Tennessee Martin, 1974; MS in physical education, UT Knoxville, 1975
First job? Head women's basketball coach, UT Knoxville
Mentor? Billie Moore, my Olympics coach in 1976
When I was a kid I wanted to be? A basketball player
Book I learned a lot from? The Bible
Philosophy of life? Treat others the way you want to be treated
If I didn't have my current position I'd be? A teacher
Someone I admire I've not met? Celine Dion
My greatest strength? Teaching skills
My greatest weakness? Over-scheduling
Introvert/extrovert? Extrovert
A good day is? A day at the beach
A bad day is? A rainy day at the beach
One habit I'd recommend to others? Exercise
Is caffeine a must? Not necessarily … but have at least one cup a day
Favorite time of day? Sunset
I eat at my desk? Rarely
Favorite work clothes? Sweats
Last vacation? Kona, Hawaii, August 2008
What makes a good boss? Someone who allows you to manage your own program
What makes a good employee? Loyalty and someone who possesses an excellent work ethic
Hardest part of my job? Losing a game
Favorite part of my job? Teaching on the court
A goal I've yet to accomplish? Nine national championships
Most important skill one needs to be successful? Great communication skills
Donna Cobble, the first woman on a number of local community boards and the first female chair of both the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce and the United Way campaign;
Pam Fansler, the first female East Market President of First Tennessee Bank;
Sarah Moore Greene, longtime educator and first black member of the Knoxville City Board of Education;
Debra London, first female president of a major East Tennessee medical center, now Mercy Health Partners;
Barbara Reid, first black associate dean of the University of Tennessee's College of Nursing;
Mintha Roach, first female CEO of the Knoxville Utilities Board;
Liane Russell, a retired ORNL scientist and a leading researcher; and
Pat Summitt, the most winning coach in NCAA basketball history.
Things you may not know about Pat Summitt, head coach of the Lady Vols basketball team
Education? BS in physical education, University of Tennessee Martin, 1974; MS in physical education, UT Knoxville, 1975
First job? Head women's basketball coach, UT Knoxville
Mentor? Billie Moore, my Olympics coach in 1976
When I was a kid I wanted to be? A basketball player
Book I learned a lot from? The Bible
Philosophy of life? Treat others the way you want to be treated
If I didn't have my current position I'd be? A teacher
Someone I admire I've not met? Celine Dion
My greatest strength? Teaching skills
My greatest weakness? Over-scheduling
Introvert/extrovert? Extrovert
A good day is? A day at the beach
A bad day is? A rainy day at the beach
One habit I'd recommend to others? Exercise
Is caffeine a must? Not necessarily … but have at least one cup a day
Favorite time of day? Sunset
I eat at my desk? Rarely
Favorite work clothes? Sweats
Last vacation? Kona, Hawaii, August 2008
What makes a good boss? Someone who allows you to manage your own program
What makes a good employee? Loyalty and someone who possesses an excellent work ethic
Hardest part of my job? Losing a game
Favorite part of my job? Teaching on the court
A goal I've yet to accomplish? Nine national championships
Most important skill one needs to be successful? Great communication skills
Thursday, June 04, 2009
US Congress honors Pat Summitt
There are very few honors Coach Pat Summitt hasn't already won, but when you win more than 1000 games, the accolades keep pouring in.
Today, the U. S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution sponsored by Tennessee Congressman John Duncan to recognize Summitt's accomplishments.
The release from Congressman Duncan's office reads:
The House of Representatives today unanimously passed a resolution introduced by Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-Tenn.) congratulating Pat Summitt for achieving her 1000th victory as the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols Head Basketball Coach.
The remarkable accomplishment of 1000th wins appropriately occurred when the Lady Vols beat Southeastern Conference rival the University of Georgia Lady Bulldogs on February 5, 2009.
Coach Summitt is the winningest coach in NCAA basketball history, men's or women's, in any division. Her teams have brought eight national titles to the university and hold the best NCAA tournament record, men's or women's, at 104-20. The Lady Vols have not had a losing season since Coach Summitt took the reigns in 1974.
Aside from winning on the basketball court, Coach Pat Summitt has the rare distinction of an exceptional 100 percent graduation rate for her players. Every athlete who has completed her eligibility at UT has graduated or is working toward the requirements for graduation.
"I have known Coach Summitt for many years and could not be prouder of her and what she has done for the University of Tennessee," said Duncan. "While she has produced exceptional athletes, many of whom have gone on to coach or play in the WNBA, she prides herself on the academic and personal achievements of her players. The dedication and hard work of Coach Summitt, her assistants, support staff, and, of course, players have made the Lady Vols an extraordinary organization."
Coach Summitt's career record stands at an impressive 1005-193 (.840).
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Summitt receives honorary doctorate degree
Dolly Parton isn't the only famous East Tennessee woman getting a Doctorate this year; Pat Summitt is now "Dr. Pat" after getting her honorary Doctorate from the U.S. Sports Academy.
Here is the University of Tennessee's release on the honor:
University of Tennessee Lady Vol Basketball Head Coach Pat Summitt was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy on Tuesday, May 19.
Summitt, who has won more games than any coach in college basketball, accepted her award during a presentation ceremony on the Academy's campus.
The Lady Vols coach developed a passion for basketball as a young child and continued playing through college at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In 1973, Summitt made her first U.S. National Team, winning a silver medal at the World University Games in the Soviet Union. She played on the gold-medal-winning team in the 1975 Pan American Games and brought home the silver while serving as co-captain of the 1976 Olympic Team. The next year, Summitt won two gold medals with the U.S. World Junior Team and was awarded another gold medal as coach of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984.
While a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Summitt was offered the position of the team's head coach at age 22.
Over the past 35 seasons as the Lady Volunteers Head Coach, Summitt has kept her elite program in the winner's circle, earning her 1,000th victory as a head coach during the 2008-2009 season. With 1,005 collegiate wins and 63 international wins, Coach Summitt has produced an unbelievable overall record of 1,068 wins.
Summitt, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, has led the Lady Vols to eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, as well as winning three straight titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998 becoming the first team ever to accomplish this in NCAA women's basketball championship history. The Lady Vols also have 27 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament and regular season championships, plus 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Summitt has produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans and 72 All-SEC performers. She has also turned out 43 professional players representing the American Basketball League (ABL), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and various overseas teams.
Along with the success on the court, Summitt's student-athletes have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee. She is also the author of two books, has both the University of Tennessee-Martin and the University of Tennessee basketball courts named for her, as well as having her high school gym bear her name.
Here is the University of Tennessee's release on the honor:
University of Tennessee Lady Vol Basketball Head Coach Pat Summitt was presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the United States Sports Academy on Tuesday, May 19.
Summitt, who has won more games than any coach in college basketball, accepted her award during a presentation ceremony on the Academy's campus.
The Lady Vols coach developed a passion for basketball as a young child and continued playing through college at the University of Tennessee-Martin. In 1973, Summitt made her first U.S. National Team, winning a silver medal at the World University Games in the Soviet Union. She played on the gold-medal-winning team in the 1975 Pan American Games and brought home the silver while serving as co-captain of the 1976 Olympic Team. The next year, Summitt won two gold medals with the U.S. World Junior Team and was awarded another gold medal as coach of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1984.
While a graduate student at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Summitt was offered the position of the team's head coach at age 22.
Over the past 35 seasons as the Lady Volunteers Head Coach, Summitt has kept her elite program in the winner's circle, earning her 1,000th victory as a head coach during the 2008-2009 season. With 1,005 collegiate wins and 63 international wins, Coach Summitt has produced an unbelievable overall record of 1,068 wins.
Summitt, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000, has led the Lady Vols to eight National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles, as well as winning three straight titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998 becoming the first team ever to accomplish this in NCAA women's basketball championship history. The Lady Vols also have 27 Southeastern Conference (SEC) tournament and regular season championships, plus 28 consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
Coach Summitt has produced 12 Olympians, 19 Kodak All-Americans and 72 All-SEC performers. She has also turned out 43 professional players representing the American Basketball League (ABL), Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and various overseas teams.
Along with the success on the court, Summitt's student-athletes have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate for all Lady Vols who have completed their eligibility at Tennessee. She is also the author of two books, has both the University of Tennessee-Martin and the University of Tennessee basketball courts named for her, as well as having her high school gym bear her name.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Finally at peace, Holdsclaw returns to the WNBA
ATLANTA - Chamique Holdsclaw has polished off the crab cakes and onion rings at Ted Turner's downtown restaurant when a fellow diner notices a tattoo on the inside of her wrist.
"Freedom,'' she says, holding up her arm proudly.
She got the tattoo shortly after "retiring'' from the WNBA, a tumultuous time in her life when she was called everything from star to selfish to head case.
"It's like my own personal freedom,'' Holdsclaw explained. "I'm going to do what I want to do, and I'm going to feel good about it. It's very personal to me.''
These days, she can't stop smiling. Like a beaming bride about to walk down the aisle, Holdsclaw is filled with a sort of bubbling-over joy that hasn't always come so easily to someone who grew up in the projects of New York City, watched her mother nearly kill herself with the bottle, battled depression after the death of the beloved grandmother who raised her, and never quite felt comfortable being the face of women's basketball.
"I'm really,'' Holdsclaw said, pausing as though she couldn't believe what was about to roll off her tongue, "excited. I don't think I've ever said that before.''
After suddenly retiring from the WNBA two years ago, a move she shockingly announced just a few weeks into the season but without much of an explanation, Holdsclaw is ready for a comeback. Her body feels good. Her mind is even better. At 31, she wants to play this game on her terms.
"This is like a new beginning for me,'' said Holdsclaw, who signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Dream. "I'm just going to go out there and have some fun. I really mean that.''
---
For those who may have forgotten, Holdsclaw was the 1990s version of Candace Parker, an enormously gifted player who was supposed to have the sort of crossover appeal the women's game so badly needed in those early days of the WNBA.
A four-time All-American at Tennessee, Holdsclaw led the Lady Vols to three straight national championships and an astonishing 134-17 record. She was the leading scorer and rebounder in Southeastern Conference history, collected the Sullivan Award as America's top amateur athlete, and was hailed by many as the greatest women's player ever - before she had even collected a paycheck.
In 1999, Holdsclaw was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics, a struggling team in desperate need of some star power. The hype-o-meter went off the charts when she became the first female to appear on the cover of SLAM magazine, posing in a New York Knicks jersey and leading to an inevitable question: Was she actually good enough to play in the NBA?
In retrospect, Holdsclaw could have done without all the hoopla.
"Some people looked at it as me being stuck up. I wasn't,'' she said during an hourlong interview with The Associated Press. "I just wanted to chill. I'm sorry, but this is the way I am. Since I was a young kid, I've been this way. I never wanted to be the center of attention. That's just the way it is.''
Holdsclaw was forced to put up a wall during her formative years growing up in the Astoria section of Queens. Her father had mental health problems. Her mother was an alcoholic.
"I was so embarrassed,'' she said. "The kids would make fun of me. They would make fun of my mom. They would be saying, 'Why is your mom like that?' It made me almost like an introvert. I was always fun to be around, but a part of me kind of went into my little box.''
Still, to those on the outside, Holdsclaw appeared to be leading a charmed life. She was named rookie of the year. She started in the very first WNBA All-Star Game. She played on the U.S. team that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
But trouble was brewing. The Mystics changed coaches constantly and never had much success, other than a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2002. The following year, even as Holdsclaw was averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, Washington slumped to last in the East with a 9-25 record.
Then, her grandmother died suddenly from a heart attack. She was only 63.
Holdsclaw was devastated.
"I think it would have been different if I was kind of prepared for it,'' she said.
In July 2004, Holdsclaw failed to show up for the Mystics' game against Charlotte. She came back for one game, then sat out the rest of the season - including the playoffs. Everyone was baffled. Holdsclaw would only rule out the most obvious possibilities: pregnancy, addiction, illness.
After the season, Holdsclaw finally revealed she was clinically depressed. Until then, she had been too ashamed to discuss her problems publicly, but felt a need to defend herself when she heard what others were speculating.
"That (stuff) was kind of insulting,'' Holdsclaw said. "I'm supposed to be this enigma, this head case. But people don't know me. I know that everything I do, there's a reason behind it. The thing that was bad, the hardest part, was the whole D.C. thing. That's where people were able to point a finger at me. I was kind of embarrassed about the whole situation.''
Dr. Don Malone of the Cleveland Clinic has studied depression and other health-related issues in sports. He said high-level athletes can be especially vulnerable to mental illness.
"Athletes are used to working through things,'' Malone said. "If you have an injury, you rehab it and get over it. When you have a problem, you're expected to just buck up and get through it. Typically, coaches, media and other people are not the most understanding people in the world. They'll say to an athlete, 'You've got everything. What do you have to be depressed about?' But depression is an illness. It's not only for people without money. It happens to everybody, in any circumstances. It needs to be treated the same way in an athlete as any individual.''
---
Holdsclaw sought treatment for her depression and got her life back in order. But the story doesn't end there.
After being traded by the Mystics, Holdsclaw had two fulfilling seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. Then her knees began hurting. None of the doctors could find a problem, which led to whispers that she was merely faking the whole thing because she didn't want to play point guard.
Suddenly, Holdsclaw walked again.
"What I got from people who were close to the whole thing was, I was being a punk, I was being soft,'' she said. "But I felt in that situation, I walked away with my head held high. I felt like I communicated.''
It was hard to find anyone else taking Holdsclaw's side. She came across as a selfish, pampered athlete who would abandon her teammates at the drop of a hat when things didn't go her way.
Holdsclaw will admit that she was looking out for herself in Los Angeles, but only because she felt no one else was. Unlike their NBA counterparts, the top women's players often make the bulk of their money overseas. She was worried about losing a much more lucrative European contract if she played on bum knees.
After leaving the Sparks, Holdsclaw said she was finally diagnosed with chronic tendinitis. She underwent a new procedure known as "platelet-rich plasma,'' in which a person's own blood is used to treat the injury.
"It was painful as hell,'' she said. "Oh my God. They're basically pumping the tendon with blood. The pressure! Oh my God. I almost collapsed there one time.''
Once Holdsclaw fully recovered from the treatment, though, she felt like a new player. She carried on her career in Poland, her retirement only applicable to this side of the Atlantic.
"I had to get used to it - the language, the culture. There's a lot of differences,'' Holdsclaw said. "But once I got into the swing of things, it was great. It was peaceful. You don't understand the language, so you don't understand any criticism. You're just going out there and playing. And they're loving you because you're an American.''
Three years ago, she moved to Atlanta. Last summer, the city landed a WNBA franchise. When Holdsclaw began showing up at Philips Arena to watch the expansion Dream, it was only natural that coach Marynell Meadors put 2 and 2 together.
"Everyone knows Chamique,'' Meadors said. "I would go up and talk to her, welcome her to the games, and she would say, 'You need some finishers. I'm a finisher.' So I told her, 'Let me know when you're ready to put on an Atlanta Dream uniform.'''
Holdsclaw wasn't quite ready to return, but the Dream began making plans in case she changed her mind. Meadors, also the team's general manager, worked out a deal with the Sparks to acquire Holdsclaw's rights.
"She's one of the greatest players ever,'' Meadors said. "She needs to be in our league, whether it's on our floor or someone else's floor.''
After another season in Poland, Holdsclaw decided it was time to come out of retirement in America.
"I talked to her from time to time and she texted me frequently,'' said Pat Summitt, Holdsclaw's coach at Tennessee. "I think that she missed the game. I think she's excited.''
Holdsclaw said she would not have returned with any team but Atlanta, where she'll be surrounded by an extensive support group. She's got her friends. She's got family in Alabama. Summitt is right up the road in Knoxville.
Though no one will ever replace her grandmother, Holdsclaw's mother has reclaimed a prominent place in her life. They're more like sisters than parent and child.
"My sophomore year of college, my grandmother told me, 'I'm not always going to be there,''' Holdsclaw remembered. "I had gone three or four years without ever telling my mother I loved her. I was so upset by what she put us through. But when my grandmother told me that, I finally talked to my mother. I told her, 'I love you.' I still remember it. We were on the phone. My voice cracked. From that day forth, I accepted her back into my life.''
The Dream can't wait to accept Holdsclaw, even though she is coming off arthroscopic surgery after injuring her right knee in Poland. The team started its first season with 17 straight losses and finished 4-30. Meadors gutted the roster and brought in newcomers such as Sancho Lyttle, Nikki Teasley, Michelle Snow and No. 1 overall draft pick Angel McCoughtry.
But Holdsclaw figures to be the center of attention. Meadors isn't worried about her walking out again.
"She has grown tremendously,'' the coach said. "I know she's dealt with all the issues she had. She talked to me about every one of them. She matured, she handled them and she moved on. Now, she's in a better state of mind.
"I think this is the first time in her life,'' Meadors added, "that she's really, really, really been happy.''
"Freedom,'' she says, holding up her arm proudly.
She got the tattoo shortly after "retiring'' from the WNBA, a tumultuous time in her life when she was called everything from star to selfish to head case.
"It's like my own personal freedom,'' Holdsclaw explained. "I'm going to do what I want to do, and I'm going to feel good about it. It's very personal to me.''
These days, she can't stop smiling. Like a beaming bride about to walk down the aisle, Holdsclaw is filled with a sort of bubbling-over joy that hasn't always come so easily to someone who grew up in the projects of New York City, watched her mother nearly kill herself with the bottle, battled depression after the death of the beloved grandmother who raised her, and never quite felt comfortable being the face of women's basketball.
"I'm really,'' Holdsclaw said, pausing as though she couldn't believe what was about to roll off her tongue, "excited. I don't think I've ever said that before.''
After suddenly retiring from the WNBA two years ago, a move she shockingly announced just a few weeks into the season but without much of an explanation, Holdsclaw is ready for a comeback. Her body feels good. Her mind is even better. At 31, she wants to play this game on her terms.
"This is like a new beginning for me,'' said Holdsclaw, who signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Dream. "I'm just going to go out there and have some fun. I really mean that.''
---
For those who may have forgotten, Holdsclaw was the 1990s version of Candace Parker, an enormously gifted player who was supposed to have the sort of crossover appeal the women's game so badly needed in those early days of the WNBA.
A four-time All-American at Tennessee, Holdsclaw led the Lady Vols to three straight national championships and an astonishing 134-17 record. She was the leading scorer and rebounder in Southeastern Conference history, collected the Sullivan Award as America's top amateur athlete, and was hailed by many as the greatest women's player ever - before she had even collected a paycheck.
In 1999, Holdsclaw was selected first overall in the WNBA draft by the Washington Mystics, a struggling team in desperate need of some star power. The hype-o-meter went off the charts when she became the first female to appear on the cover of SLAM magazine, posing in a New York Knicks jersey and leading to an inevitable question: Was she actually good enough to play in the NBA?
In retrospect, Holdsclaw could have done without all the hoopla.
"Some people looked at it as me being stuck up. I wasn't,'' she said during an hourlong interview with The Associated Press. "I just wanted to chill. I'm sorry, but this is the way I am. Since I was a young kid, I've been this way. I never wanted to be the center of attention. That's just the way it is.''
Holdsclaw was forced to put up a wall during her formative years growing up in the Astoria section of Queens. Her father had mental health problems. Her mother was an alcoholic.
"I was so embarrassed,'' she said. "The kids would make fun of me. They would make fun of my mom. They would be saying, 'Why is your mom like that?' It made me almost like an introvert. I was always fun to be around, but a part of me kind of went into my little box.''
Still, to those on the outside, Holdsclaw appeared to be leading a charmed life. She was named rookie of the year. She started in the very first WNBA All-Star Game. She played on the U.S. team that won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
But trouble was brewing. The Mystics changed coaches constantly and never had much success, other than a run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2002. The following year, even as Holdsclaw was averaging 20.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, Washington slumped to last in the East with a 9-25 record.
Then, her grandmother died suddenly from a heart attack. She was only 63.
Holdsclaw was devastated.
"I think it would have been different if I was kind of prepared for it,'' she said.
In July 2004, Holdsclaw failed to show up for the Mystics' game against Charlotte. She came back for one game, then sat out the rest of the season - including the playoffs. Everyone was baffled. Holdsclaw would only rule out the most obvious possibilities: pregnancy, addiction, illness.
After the season, Holdsclaw finally revealed she was clinically depressed. Until then, she had been too ashamed to discuss her problems publicly, but felt a need to defend herself when she heard what others were speculating.
"That (stuff) was kind of insulting,'' Holdsclaw said. "I'm supposed to be this enigma, this head case. But people don't know me. I know that everything I do, there's a reason behind it. The thing that was bad, the hardest part, was the whole D.C. thing. That's where people were able to point a finger at me. I was kind of embarrassed about the whole situation.''
Dr. Don Malone of the Cleveland Clinic has studied depression and other health-related issues in sports. He said high-level athletes can be especially vulnerable to mental illness.
"Athletes are used to working through things,'' Malone said. "If you have an injury, you rehab it and get over it. When you have a problem, you're expected to just buck up and get through it. Typically, coaches, media and other people are not the most understanding people in the world. They'll say to an athlete, 'You've got everything. What do you have to be depressed about?' But depression is an illness. It's not only for people without money. It happens to everybody, in any circumstances. It needs to be treated the same way in an athlete as any individual.''
---
Holdsclaw sought treatment for her depression and got her life back in order. But the story doesn't end there.
After being traded by the Mystics, Holdsclaw had two fulfilling seasons with the Los Angeles Sparks. Then her knees began hurting. None of the doctors could find a problem, which led to whispers that she was merely faking the whole thing because she didn't want to play point guard.
Suddenly, Holdsclaw walked again.
"What I got from people who were close to the whole thing was, I was being a punk, I was being soft,'' she said. "But I felt in that situation, I walked away with my head held high. I felt like I communicated.''
It was hard to find anyone else taking Holdsclaw's side. She came across as a selfish, pampered athlete who would abandon her teammates at the drop of a hat when things didn't go her way.
Holdsclaw will admit that she was looking out for herself in Los Angeles, but only because she felt no one else was. Unlike their NBA counterparts, the top women's players often make the bulk of their money overseas. She was worried about losing a much more lucrative European contract if she played on bum knees.
After leaving the Sparks, Holdsclaw said she was finally diagnosed with chronic tendinitis. She underwent a new procedure known as "platelet-rich plasma,'' in which a person's own blood is used to treat the injury.
"It was painful as hell,'' she said. "Oh my God. They're basically pumping the tendon with blood. The pressure! Oh my God. I almost collapsed there one time.''
Once Holdsclaw fully recovered from the treatment, though, she felt like a new player. She carried on her career in Poland, her retirement only applicable to this side of the Atlantic.
"I had to get used to it - the language, the culture. There's a lot of differences,'' Holdsclaw said. "But once I got into the swing of things, it was great. It was peaceful. You don't understand the language, so you don't understand any criticism. You're just going out there and playing. And they're loving you because you're an American.''
Three years ago, she moved to Atlanta. Last summer, the city landed a WNBA franchise. When Holdsclaw began showing up at Philips Arena to watch the expansion Dream, it was only natural that coach Marynell Meadors put 2 and 2 together.
"Everyone knows Chamique,'' Meadors said. "I would go up and talk to her, welcome her to the games, and she would say, 'You need some finishers. I'm a finisher.' So I told her, 'Let me know when you're ready to put on an Atlanta Dream uniform.'''
Holdsclaw wasn't quite ready to return, but the Dream began making plans in case she changed her mind. Meadors, also the team's general manager, worked out a deal with the Sparks to acquire Holdsclaw's rights.
"She's one of the greatest players ever,'' Meadors said. "She needs to be in our league, whether it's on our floor or someone else's floor.''
After another season in Poland, Holdsclaw decided it was time to come out of retirement in America.
"I talked to her from time to time and she texted me frequently,'' said Pat Summitt, Holdsclaw's coach at Tennessee. "I think that she missed the game. I think she's excited.''
Holdsclaw said she would not have returned with any team but Atlanta, where she'll be surrounded by an extensive support group. She's got her friends. She's got family in Alabama. Summitt is right up the road in Knoxville.
Though no one will ever replace her grandmother, Holdsclaw's mother has reclaimed a prominent place in her life. They're more like sisters than parent and child.
"My sophomore year of college, my grandmother told me, 'I'm not always going to be there,''' Holdsclaw remembered. "I had gone three or four years without ever telling my mother I loved her. I was so upset by what she put us through. But when my grandmother told me that, I finally talked to my mother. I told her, 'I love you.' I still remember it. We were on the phone. My voice cracked. From that day forth, I accepted her back into my life.''
The Dream can't wait to accept Holdsclaw, even though she is coming off arthroscopic surgery after injuring her right knee in Poland. The team started its first season with 17 straight losses and finished 4-30. Meadors gutted the roster and brought in newcomers such as Sancho Lyttle, Nikki Teasley, Michelle Snow and No. 1 overall draft pick Angel McCoughtry.
But Holdsclaw figures to be the center of attention. Meadors isn't worried about her walking out again.
"She has grown tremendously,'' the coach said. "I know she's dealt with all the issues she had. She talked to me about every one of them. She matured, she handled them and she moved on. Now, she's in a better state of mind.
"I think this is the first time in her life,'' Meadors added, "that she's really, really, really been happy.''
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