Women's Hoops Guru

By Mel Greenberg

PHILADELPHIA _ In greeting the crowd of several hundred that attended the annual Dawn Staley Foundation black tie and sneakers gala Thursday night, new South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, who had been Temple's mentor the past eight seasons, called her move away from Philadelphia to Columbia, "borrowed time."

"I've always come back after going away before," Staley said after the formal program concluded.

Staley also said in her welcoming remarks she would take the work achieved by the foundation in aiding inner city children at-risk and use it as a model to establish a similar organization in the South Carolina community.

The former Dobbins Tech star, who later excelled at the University of Virginia, as well as in the pros and Olympics, was given a standing ovation before she spoke.

A picture of Staley leading the United States delegation carrying the American flag into the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Olympics went for $1,000, a successful bid at the annual auction by made Kenny Gamble and his wife. Staley signed the photo afterwards.

Gamble, co-founder and chairman of Gamble-Huff music, which created the Philadelphia Sound, was cited for his work in the community as was A. Michael Pratt, Esq., the chanceoor of the Philadelphia Bar in the annual awards portion of the program.

Health Partners, one of the sponsors of the foundation, as is Philadelphia Electric Company, made a successful bid of $500 for a ball autographed by Staley and former Temple men's coach John Chaney, a Hall of Famer.

PECO recently donated 10 computers to the organization, said foundation director Angelia Nelson.

Noting her recent hires of former Tennessee stars Nikki McCray and Carla McGhee, along with her formerTemple assistant Lisa Boyer, Staley said it was the first time her staff would include just women.

"But we've all gone to war with each other and maybe competing in the Southeastern Conference, we'll learn a few of `her' secrets," Staley quipped about competing against Hall of Fame Tennessee coach Pat Summitt.

Cynthia Jordan, who was Staley's first recruit, will join the Gamecocks ;probably in working involving video operation as a way of getting started in coaching, Staley said.

Staley had a few more things to say about leaving Temple and the type of candidate she'd like to see succeed her, but the Guru promised the home office he'd save the good stuff for the print edition on the next cycle, which will be available late Friday evening and enhanced here.

Meanwhile, Detroit Shock assistant Cheryl Reeve, a former La Salle star with the WNBA organization, checked in the other day to clarify a statement she previously made on a somewhat technologically mangled cell phone call at the Guru's end to say she was not going after the Temple job, still calling it a good opportunity for someone.

However, she did note she would be willing to hear what Temple officials had to say if they called.

Contact has yet to be made between Temple and Connecticut assistant Tonya Cardoza, but that is expected to happen in the next several days.

On a social note, the Guru brought as his guest recently-hired Inquirer sports staffer Kate Fagan, a former Colorado women's hoops star, to the evening to gala to offer her first (and last, for a while) chance to meet Staley.

She'll be reviving her game this summer, by the way, competing in the rugged Department of Recreation NCAA Women''s Summer League, in which many Big Five players of past and present as well as other local athletes participate.

Some of her early work in her first few weeks here can be found by searching her name in the main Philly.com area, although Jonathan, upon reading this, may chime in here and insert a link or two.

-- Mel