Women's Hoops Guru

Introductions and Acceptances of the Six Inductees of which five were in Knoxville. Former WNBA and Australian national star Michele Timms was unable to attend because of her official duties with the Chinese national team as an assistant coach.

Former Phoenix Mercury general manager Seth Sulka presented Timms and former USA Basketball executive Bill Wall, now retired, accepted on her behalf.

Referees Sally Bell and June Courteau introduced Patty Broderick, but the video is not transcripted. The duo, besides giving background, composed a poem.

There is no transcription of Jill Rankin Schneider's video intro or Lin L. Laursen.

Other comments will insert along the way.

Referee Patty Broderick Acceptance Highlights

"After 30 years of entering buildings through the back door, this is the first time I've ever come through the front door.

"My dad, He was my inspiration and the one person in my life who taught me to shoot for the stars and there is nothing you could not do.

"My brother Bobby, who we lost in August, he, too, was instrumental in making me tough, tough enough to blow the whistle. I could not have better brothers and sisters who have supported me and followed me every step of the way.

"My lifelong partners and colleagues. You guys are hands on directly responsible for this moment. Without you over the last 30 plus years, blood, sweat, tears, and locker rooms no bigger than broom closets, I would not be standing here receiving the honor of a lifetime.

"I would like my team to stand." (She then named 24 referees in the audience. In the lobby, earlier, as the Guru visited them, he noted that he was the only one in stripes, due to the design of his suit purchased a year ago for his event,)

(Hall of Famers and former referees) Marci Weston and the late Darlene May. "I could not have done it without you Marcy. And Darlene, I know you’re here.

Thanking Bill Wall for getting her the Olympic assignment in 1988. "Bill thanks for taking the chance and lobbying so hard behind the scenes for the Seoul. It was the first time a woman ever went out of the country and I know you did a lot behind the scenes lobby, arguing, whatever you did.

"But whatever you did, you sent me with 35 other men."

Recently retired Central Arizona coach Lin L. Laursen, who has 970 wins.

(A glitch in the video intro caused it to air twice. Mentioned because of Laursen's first comment.)

"You will not hear this speech twice.

"Where do I start.

"I tell you what – It’s been a strange week for me. I went to my own chiropractor on Monday, got adjusted, called him Tuesday and said, I think you broke my neck.

"I went in Wednesday morning at college, I’m not really retired – retired means expired.
So he said come back.

(Rerence to Summitt's party for the inductees.) "I couldn’t go to Pat’s last night – I was in the emergency room, strange people.

"My doctor was this Robert Cummings – wasn’t that an actor?

"I actually got a thank you card that said, thank your for your patience with your patient.

"Today I’m over the trainer – Jenny Mosheck – head trainer at Tennessee.

"I don’t know what she did to my neck, but I had a hard time getting my jewelry on tonight.

"And (WBHOF director of basketball relations) Karen Tucker, -- (Executive director) Dana Hart, you need to give this woman a raise. No one ever emailed wanting to know what I wanted in my box lunch.

"In Junior college, we kind of sail under the radar – all the time.

"Pat and I were taking and she said, you’re only 12 wins behind me.

"Yeah. I don’t worry about that. But I do have a higher (winning) percentage.

"You know Pat, when you won the national titles, you had Mercedes. I got a weedeater.

"Pat, when was the last time you drove a van.

"I was there in Tampa Bay (at the Final Four.) When you called a timeout, you had seven workers around you. We have no perks. Your per diem is higher than my budget.

"We had no shoe contract – oh, sorry, one from payless shoe. I taught four classes a day – I taught everything from modern dance, square dance, tennis, I even learned how to golf.

"We had parents come down and say, `Does the mail come down here?

"Yes m’am, the buckboard leaves every day.

"I was never in it for the income, but the outcome, God bless, They sent me $500 last year. There will be a token booth afterwards so I can get home.

"Things I’ve learned. Those that play the least, eat the most. If they would drug test coaches, Pat you would test positive for Maalox

"When I was young and played in Iowa, I always got butterflies. Now I get moths.
I can’t play anymore because I can’t learn all those handshakes.

"I learned your will must exceed your skill.

"We have them (incoming players) fill out forms – favorite food, favorite singer, where were you born? One answer came back – in a hospital.

"To play the game is great, to win the game is greater, but to love the game is the greatest.

"Today’s flag day and we have tradition. We salute, like Hitler, he’s gone.

"And we have birthdays. And we sing. And we have cake. Believe or not, It’s Pat Summitt’s birthday."

She then closed by having everone sing happy birtthday.

(Intro for Debbie Ryan by USA Basketball president and former WNBA president Val Ackerman, who played at Virginia).

"My coach Debbie Ryan. Debbie and I go back many, many years – 30 years actually.

"I was actually five years old when I first met her. But we have a very special and warm standing relationship.

"I was part of the early years of Debbie’s program at the University of Virginia. We had some lean years early on, starting off 8-17 my first year and then going 22-10 by my fourth year which included a national ranking.

"It was a special time and it was all due to Debbie and what she believed we could do and the way that she pushed us in many ways that we didn’t think we could be pushed, all because she knew we could do it and that was the only way it was going to get done.

"She was a real inspiration to all of us. And it’s been a real pleasure to watch her over the years develop the program at Virginia. She is the University of Virginia women’s basketball team and I so admire everything she’s accomplished, everything that she stands for.

"And I’m not just talking about the 600 wins, the myriad of 20 plus wins seasons or the marches she’s made to the Final Four.

"I’m talking about the way she’s instilled confidence into all of her players and turned us into women who were going to go out and do important things with our lives.

"I’m very proud to have played for you and to have been your player. I still think of myself as your player. I feel privileged to know your family. I just want to say thanks for all that you’ve done for me and so many of your players. You’ve made so many things possible for us as a trailblazer and a pioneer.

Debbie Ryan's Acceptance, which followed Laursen

"That’s a tough act to follow.

"I really think she’s faking that head thing. I think she just wanted to get over there and see what it’s really like at the University of Tennessee.

"Thank to (WBHOF head) Gloria Ray, especially for taking care of Lin, but you can handle it. It was an impossible task so we left it up to you.

"Gene Corrigan – my uncle, my motivator, my mentor He claims he didn’t hire me at Virginia, because I started off so poorly.

"He paid me less than $10,000 a year which was almost $11,000 less than anyone in the department and when I went to ask him about that - there had been an article in the newspaper -- Why am I the lowest paid coach in the department? And he said – Because you’re not any good.

"You better learn to win, and third reason is, I’m your uncle.

"And he said, even if you win, I’m still not going to pay you.

"But he brought me to the university that I loved and cherished for over 30 years.

"He’s been my advisor and friend through all the ups and downs in coaching and in life.

"And Val Ackerman , my first scholarship athlete, not a bad choice – she was a Rhodes Scholar finalist. She also founded the WNBA – not a bad choice for a first recruit, but more important , she had to put up with a lot.

"She was a true pioneer in the Virginia program.
"
And she had to survive my early coaching style, which, believe me, was not pretty. I could not be more proud of all that she has accomplished.

(USA Basketball executive) Carol Kallan, (WBCA head) Beth Bass, and (former ACC associate commissioner overseeing WBB) Bernie McGlade, who is now the big Kahuna of the Atlantic Ten.

"If there was a Hall of Fame for administrators, those three would be in it.

"There has been another part to my life that has been about the last eight years. You may have heard of a man by the name of Randy Pausch.

"Randy’s a best-selling author and professor computer science at Carnegie Mellon University.
He was formally at UVA.

"He became famous for his last lecture speech this year (google to find it -- Sept. 7). In that speech Randy talked about what he calls head fakes – indirect teaching. When you teach someone different, teach something difficult by doing something fun.

"Randy Pausch and I have something in common. In August of 2006, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This past August, the pancreatic cancer returned and Randy was told he has about six months to live. To his credit, it’s about 10 months later and he’s still around.

"In August of 2000, I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Not a great thing to have in common with someone.

"Randy over this past couple of months has approached this with amazing amount of levity, I would say.

"But one of the things he says in his book and his lecture is that time is all we really have.

"I want you to remember that as I speak tonight because at the end of my speech, I’m going to bring it up again.

"You don’t get to the Hall of Fame on your own and I certainly have to recognize my heart and soul and that’s my family.

"My mom is here tonight. She’s my hero. She’s my rock. She gives far more than she’s ever received and she’s the best dressed woman in this room.

"My brother Pat, no my sister Karen, my brother in law and sister in law.
My nieces and nephew.

"The only person missing here today is someone who would be the proudest person in this room. And that’s my Dad. He passed away about 11 years ago. My dad always gave me the freedom to find my own way and he constantly encouraged me to make a difference in the world.

"He was the one person who stood up for me when my mom thought I should be a ballerina.

"At 5 ½ I skipped out on dance class and one day when my mother came to pick me up, she found out that for three weeks I hadn’t been there. I had gone to the local drug store and sat in the magazine rack and read comic books. But I always got back on time, I was just late that day.

"But without this incredible family, I surely wouldn’t be here today.

"There are people who pass in and out of your lives, you don’t realize it, but they make all the difference in who we are and who we become.

"My experiences at a small liberal arts college of Ursinus, prepared me for my life in athletics.

"I’m also a proud member of the Nike family. And I know Jill Pizzotti is here tonight and Eric (inaudible) was here last night. And it’s not just because they’re with Nike, but because of the people that they are.

"I have many people at UVA to thank. I’ve coached at the University of Virginia my entire adult life.

"I’ve been blessed with incredible people who have a true passion in what they do.
I was fortunate enough to work for three presidents –
Who truly cared about athletics and valued its mission in the university.

"-...Led the charge for equity in athletics long before it was fashionable.

"During my career, I’ve had a number of athletic directors to train. Those of you who are coaches in this room know exactly what I’m talking about.

"Gene Corrigan was my first – he was the toughest.

"Dick Schultz followed Gene, he took what Gene started and he built on it and I actually started getting paid when Dick arrived.

"Jim Copeland pushed us into the Final Four with vision and promotion and Terry Holland came back to Virginia to help us build on our success. Terry was a huge influence on me as he was the men’s basketball coach when I first came to Virginia. He was a great mentor and he opened his program to me every single day to see exactly how the big time really worked.

"Craig Littlepage is here tonight. He’s been a wonderful colleague, a friend and a tremendous leader for me and this nation.

"Craig has built one of the best athletic departments in the country.

"Jim West was instrumental in my success because he helped me get everything I needed to compete on the highest level and that included jock bras when nobody else had them.

"My first hire was Mika Ryan. Geno Auriemma came into my program as my first fulltime assistant at Virginia. You can imagine what that four years were like. But, honestly, I learned far more from Geno, then he ever learned from me.
And I’m very proud of all that he has accomplished.

"Franki DiLeo and Shawn Campbell were instrumental in getting my program to three Final Fours.

"Audra Smith, my player became a coach and we spent 10 years building on our success.
Audra was there for me during my illness and I don’t know what I would have done without her.
All of my assistants have been success and have been.

(She then mentioned other assistants, including the current staff.)

"Being part of this class is truly an honor. Lin comes up here and she’s funny, but I want you to know something about her – her players really, really love her. And that’s a real, real honor for a coach.

"I have a great relationship with the McConnell family.

"I’m going to tell you a story about Kathy and Suzie – they had a conversation and when Kathy was a junior, she was telling Suzie she was the best recruiter at Virginia, which was true.

"She was telling Suzie that she was recruiting Dawn Staley and Tammy Reiss to come to Virginia.

"And Suzie, being the wise one that she was, said to Kathy, What are doing? You’re going to lose playing time if you bring them in.

"So Kathy had to stop and think about that for a minute and she said, You know what? Suzie I don’t care because I’m going to the Final Four.

"Sure enough, Kathy got both those players and sure enough, we got to the Final Four.

"Patty Broderick, I know she’s sitting up there right now hoping I don’t tell this story.

"Patty was on my game, the only game I played in, in the national championship game. Pat was also in that game. Some interesting things happened in that game, but I’m going to leave it in New Orleans. (Key, but wrong call, against Va. in 1991 that helped Cavaliers lose.)

"I will say this – She’s one the best officials I’ve seen. She communicates with you and she makes you feel you’re part of the game. And I salute you.

Rankins Schneider and Michele Timms were also praised,

"Finally, I wan’t to talk about my players.

"I’ve been blessed over the years to coach players with great ability. But what really separates them is their personal character and love for the game.

"To Dawn Staley, Heather and Heidi Burge, Melanie Wagner and Fran Scott. These are all great women of accomplishment and passion.

"I feel great disappointment in not getting that group a national championship. I’ll always feel like I let them down.

"That disappointment, however, is offset when I watched Dawn Staley carry the flag into the Olympic stadium in Athens.

"The Final Fours, the ACC championships, the regional championships, are all etched in my mind. But my greatest joy comes from watching Kathy McConnell-Miller, Dawn Staley, Audra Smith, Trina Patterson and Jenny Boucek lead their teams as head coaches.

"My former players are now leaders in business, law, medicine and politics.

"As I go enter into the Hall of Fame today, all of my players enter with me. Without them, I would definitely not be here.

"They’re my heart, they’re my soul, they’re everything to me.

"So I’ve been blessed to live and work in the great state of Virginia and at the University of Virginia with a rich and historic workers. I’ve been blessed with great players, supportive adiminstrators, and innovative coaches, effective staff and incredible loyal fans

"And I also have two very good friends standing right behind – (Debbie Antonelli and Beth Mowins, who emceed). If there were a hall of fame for these kind of people, they’d be in it.

"At the beginning of this speech I told you Randy Pausch’s concept of a head fake – When you teach someone something important by letting them do something fun,

"And remember what Randy said – Time is all we have.

"So did you get the head fake. (No response). Doesn’t look good, does it?

"You thought this was a Hall of Fame acceptance speech, when really it was a speech about how to spend your time.

"Obviously, I’ve spent my time very well. Because I’ve spent my life with all the incredible people I’ve mentioned tonight, and I spent tonight with you.

Jill Rankin Schneider comments.

On being the shortest in a tall family. "We look like a bunch of animals at a zoo.

"Coach Dean Weese at Wayland was my coach for three years.

"Kathy Harston and Holly Warlick. You know how quarterbacks really have to love their offensive linemen. And I was smart enough to know that these people are what made me what I am. These two point guards are the only two that I ever played.

"Holly was my starting point guard in international basketball and at the University of Tennessee.

"I transferred between my junior and senior year.

"People want to know why and I absolutely loved Dean Weese. But he went to the Dallas Diamonds.

"I happened to be rooming with Holly that summer and Pat was my coach and I so loved the experience playing with Holly, knowing the player she was, and playing with Pat, I knew that is where I wanted to go.

Kathy McConnell-Miller's intro of Suzie McConnell-Serio.

"I’m here to talk about my sister, my teammate and my best friend – Suzie McConnell-Serio.
Suzie is 13 months older than me and she is the fifth of eight children – I am the sixth. And we have a very, very special bond.

"Suzie has been inspirational for us in so many way. (McConnell family).

"From a competitive standpoint, from a drive standpoint, from an athletic standpoint.
And just by being there 24/7 for everyone in this family.

"I feel honored that Suzie asked me – Suzie slept on the bottom bunk – I slept on the top bunk. And we have been inseparable until we parted ways to go to college.

"We were in the third grade when we began to play basketball. Suzie was the point guard and I was the two guard. At that point, she displayed what it was like to play like a champion.
And she has excuded that from third, fourth grade until this present day.

"And, of course, her, wonderful,wonderful career at Penn State.

"She has won so many hats in my life from my friend to my sister.
'
As we sit here and we reflect on her career, I can’t tell you how hard she’s worked.
After she had four children, she got the call to come back and potentially be put into the draft for the WNBA.
I watched her get into the most incredible shape of her life, and come back and excel in the league that we consider the best league in the world.

"he received the newcomer of the year, second year – all-WNBA, and, of course the third year, she won the sportsmanship of the year.

"he continues to do great things in the recruiting wars.

"t is a specially important night for me having my sister and my college coach Debbie Ryan inducted on the very same night. You two have been an inspiration in so many aspects of my life."

Siuzie McConnell-Serio acceptance speech

"Boy, Kathy, honey, that’s a first, the video going from you to me. Uusually, it’s you who wants the spotlight like that. I think I still have the bruises to prove that I slept on the top bunk and you were on the bottom bunk.

"I can’t begin to tell you what an incredible weekend this has been. We have left, we have almost cried, and just getting excited of sharing his night with each and everyone of you who have come to share this with us tonight.

"Some of us have been more high-maintenace (Laursen) than others, so hopefully I’ve been the easiest one to deal with.

"Lin you really make me feel spoiled for what I have. I am honored to be part of this great game.
I have played at every level. I’ve coached at every level. I’ve probably had the most uncharacteristic career of all the retirement and comebacks I have done.

"I got the call from Pat Summitt (to say she's being inducted). I’m driving my daughter to a game. Suzie this is Pat Summitt
.
"I think I dropped the phone. And my daughter is Hi Pat how are you.

"II had just started at Duquesne and a lot of people were sending me emails, all sorts of things.
The whole time I’m listening (to her before being told reason of call) and praying “You can’t pay me a big enough guarantee to play Tennessee.”

"Debbie Ryan, what’s up with (assistant) Jeff House calling me to play you – He frames it Hall of Famer versus Hall of Famer. Give me a break. I’m getting every call from every coach trying to take advantage my first year.

"My husband has been incredible and give me the best of both worlds to have career.
He was willing to give up his coaching and teaching job to move to Minnesota.

"Oh yeah, if I played with Jill Rankin, I can’t imagine what my assist record would be?

Jill, where were you then.

M parents are here. They have taught us a lot. They have instilled values about work ethic, about discipline, definitely about commitment. They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

You know, you can’t choose your family and boy did I not choose mine.
But I couldn’t have handpicked them any better.

"My (seven) brothers and sisters.

"Growing up in a big family was something special.

"We grew up in sports. And we played on streets in the city of Pittsburgh and when we played waffle ball or baseball, and when we played basketball, sometimes it would go down the sewer, and we used to get our neighbors pick, and we used the pick to pull the lid up and then they held me by the ankles, lowering me upside down, so I can go into the sewer to get the ball.

"But that’s what we did. We just loved sports. We competed. I learned a work ethic and competitiveness.

"They all came here on the bus. They drove nine hours.

"The one person to blame all this was my grade school coach who saw something in me in a young age and I played on a boys’ team, they didn’t have a girls team.

"The following year my sister Kathy played with me.

"Jill if you thought you were a black hole, I was a black hole for 10 years when I played with my sister Kathy. If I gave it up, I didn’t get it back. That’s one of the reasons I became a playmaker because I surely wasn’t getting shots.

"Playing for (former Penn State coach) Rene Portland was something that was great for me. She was incredible. She was a teacher, a motivator. She brought out the best in me. She challenged me. She sat me down my freshman year and asked me what my goals were. We talked about USA Basketball and she was there for me every moment when I wanted to play for USA Basketball and I eventually made the Olympic team.

"(Penn State) t was a great career for me, it was a great place for me, my family could come watch me. I wish she was here to share this moment with me. When I was at Penn State, we did beat Tennessee.

"The choice I made to play at Penn State really led to everything I was able to experience and have success afterwards, playing at every level.

"Linda Hill-McDonald who drafted me and gave me an opportunity, someone who had been out of sports four years and came back to play. I played for her and then Dan Hughes.

"I played in two Olympics for Kay Yow and Theresa Grentz, and I thank them for giving me the opportunity to play for my country which was by far the highlight of my basketball career.

"Debbie (Antonelli) you said that this would be easier than shooting free throws with no time on the clock, you’re wrong.

"The Olympics were something special. Nothing compares to being up on that platform. It was an amazing moment.

"I played with so many players who were great at every level -- Teresa (Edwards), I can’t believe I’m going into the hall of fame before you, but that’s because she came out of retirement to play for me at Minnesota. But she is by far the best player I’ve seen, the best player I’ve ever coached, it’s because of her passion and her leadership and what she brings to a team.

"II want to thank I think it’s eight rows of officials – I was fired thanks to you.
Now that I’m a Hall of Famer, do I get any breaks on questionable calls?

"It’s been a great year. It’s been a learning process. Someday I hope I can compete at that level.

"It was funny seeing them come out of the executive committee (Saturday afternoon after picking the next class.

We’re already getting kicked to curve."

-- Mel