Women’s History Month: Celebrating My Sports Icons. -Teresa Weatherspoon
Basketball has and continues to be a huge part of my world. To celebrate Women’s History Month (March 2021) I will highlight women in sports who have not only made a huge impact in sports but also on my life. To tip-off this celebration I am starting with the incomparable Teresa Weatherspoon aka T-Spoon.
I attended my first WNBA game in June 1997 at Madison Square Garden (MSG). Initially, I didn’t know any of the players on the New York Liberty but there was something magnetic that captured my attention about #11 T-Spoon. Since that moment I followed her WNBA career and crafted my basketball skills to be as gritty, disciplined and energetic on the court as my idol. With every team I played on I always sought to wear her jersey number 11; it didn’t matter if it was two sizes too big I wanted it. I purchased all of the Liberty merchandise with Weatherspoon’s name, collected her bobbleheads and anything associated with her brand…superfan!
As an adult playing in a recreational basketball league, I had the pleasure to meet T-Spoon when she attended a few of our games. I was beyond amazed, nervous and only managed to mumble a hello. As a Liberty season ticket holder for two seasons I sat close to the team bench and could hear T-Spoon coach and motivate the players. Her style and energy was just as captivating as during her playing days.
In August 2017, twenty (20) years after first watching T-Spoon play at MSG I had the opportunity to meet her in person on the same court she dominated. It was a brief encounter but we spoke and my nerves let me say more than hello (see attached picture- that’s me in the red pants).
It’s no surprise that T-Spoon is now a full-time coach with the New Orleans Pelicans (NBA) organization. Her list of accomplishments is huge and includes (just to name a few), NCAA champion, 2 time WNBA all-defensive player, 5 time WNBA all-star, and inductee into the basketball hall of fame. To me, T-Spoon also exemplifies resilience, fortitude, strength, tenacity, style and grace. Thank you Coach T-Spoon!!!
Fun Fact: Teresa Weatherspoon and I both play the point guard position.
If I could ask T-Spoon a question it would be…”For motivational purposes, what are some of your pre-game rituals that you’ve continued to practice post-retirement?
Please subscribe to my blog and follow on Instagram @Mommy_Scoreboard for the next “Women’s History Month: Celebrating My Sports Icons.” https://www.instagram.com/invites/contact/?i=1o0q6cszxq2fb&utm_content=jj91ucd
Watch ““The Shot”: Teresa Weatherspoon in Game 2 of 1999 WNBA Finals” on YouTube
https://youtu.be/kapFRzy1xHE
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Hello and welcome to Mommy Scoreboard. It’s been several years but I remember starting my college application essay with the sentence, “You can always find me with a pen in one hand a basketball in the other.” I enjoy writing but the sport of basketball has been my ultimate joy. Fast forward and now I am the proud parent of three children, a happily married woman and an accomplished recreational basketball player. If I had to update my essay sentence it would read, “You can always find me with a pen, a basketball, a kid or two, a mobile device, a skillet, random toy part, a sippy cup, baby wipes, hand sanitizer and face masks in my hands”…WOW, have times gotten better!
All-Star Mom & Basketball Player! 