She presides over one of the top teams in college sports, a program built for success by teaching championship behavior on and off the court

That’s why the Sooners reload each season with players who excel athletically, academically, in the community and beyond

Sherri Coale

QueenOf the Court

114 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Guide 115 Rare is the coach who embraces the balance of student and athlete like The Big Dance Academic Success Coale. Even fewer teams have had success while emphasizing Coale’s previous years were just stepping stones to national Coale, who was an Academic All-American and graduated summa cum the books on the same level as the balls. prominence as she guided Oklahoma to its first NCAA Final Four and laude from Oklahoma Christian, is a firm believer in succeeding in the national championship game during the 2001-02 season. The Sooners classroom as well as on the court. Under Coale’s guidance, her teams defeated Duke, 86-71, in the NCAA semifinals and lost to top-ranked have consistently produced some of the highest grade point averages The symmetry is a trademark of Coale’s program. and undefeated Connecticut, 82-70, in the title match. within the Athletics Department and posted a combined team GPA of 3.0 or better for a program record 23 of 26 semesters since 1996. She meticulously prepares her athletes to excel in the classroom By the conclusion of the greatest run in program history, OU had Four teams (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003) have been named to the Top and on the hardwood. In essence, master the game of life and the produced its best record in school and history 25 WBCA Academic Team Honor Roll, while 37 players have earned challenges presented on the court will fall like dominoes. (32-4); won its third consecutive Big 12 regular season title; ended the Academic All-Big 12 honors 76 times. season with its highest ranking ever (No. 2 in the Associated Press and Those obstacles have routinely been bulldozed during Coale’s 13 years ESPN/USA Today Coaches polls); and captured its first NCAA Regional One of Coale’s proudest moments was when former Sooner standout as the head coach of Oklahoma. and Big 12 Tournament titles. became OU’s first player to earn Academic and Athletic All-America honors in the same season (2001-02). Dales also was That season, Coale also had three players selected in the first round of voted the 2002 Verizon Academic Student-Athlete of the Year for all The numbers speak for themselves. the WNBA draft: Stacey Dales (3rd/Washington); LaNeishea Caufield NCAA Division I sports. Dales was later joined on the Academic All- (14th/Utah); and (16th/Los Angeles). America list by Theresa Jantzen in 2003 and Caton Hill in 2004. Take for example the six Big 12 Regular Season Championships, the 76 Academic All-Big 12 honors, the four Big 12 Tournament Oklahoma revisited the record books in 2009 with another 32-win Sooner Standouts Championships, the 10 All-District Academic Team members, the 10 season. The Sooners completed another trek through the Big 12, OU’s most prominent player is obviously . Recruited straight NCAA Tournament appearances, the four Academic All- resulting in its sixth season championship, and the Oklahoma City with her sister, Ashley, out of California, Paris became the first player America Team Members, the six Sweet 16 appearances. Regional. in Oklahoma state history, man or woman, to win AP National Player of the Year. The foundation was laid years ago during a humble upbringing in the The Sooners finished the season No. 4 in the polls following a buzzer- beating heartbreak in the national semifinals to Louisville. Paris set a record nearly every time she stepped on the court. She oil mining town of Healdton, Okla. Those morals have stood as the was the first four-time All-American by the Associated Press and U.S. roots of Oklahoma women’s basketball for 13 years. Packing The Lloyd Noble Center Basketball Writers’ Association and the first college basketball player “Do what you love.” With these outstanding accomplishments and media exposure, ever, regardless of gender or division, to record 2,500 career points and Now they are flourishing on an elite level. Coale has sparked excitement across the state and nation. Oklahoma 2,000 career rebounds. It’s coale’s motto and the reason has ranked among the nation’s top 20 in women’s basketball home she became a coa So as the Sooners sit on the cusp of the 2009-10 season with the attendance for the last nine years, including four consecutive top-10 Paris ended her career owning 20 NCAA, 57 Big 12 Conference and 69 ch. biggest national spotlight in program history already glaring in their finishes and a record high third-place finish in 2008 with an average of Oklahoma records -- her most famous being a streak of consecutive her passion has made ou one of eyes, Coale and company are sticking to their roots. 10,253. games with a double-double that lasted 112 games. The top 50 largest crowds to see women’s basketball all occurred Stacey Dales became Coale’s first Olympian and the school’s first two- the nation’s elite programs. And the success that comes with them. during Sherri Coale’s tenure, including the record 12,205 that attended time Kodak first team All-America selection. She played on the 2000 Off the court, she created a tight-knit OU’s 2008 win against Oklahoma State. The Sooners first surpassed Canadian National Basketball team that participated in the Olympic the 10,000 attendance mark on Dec. 29, 1999, against top-ranked Games in Sydney, Australia. Dales also repeated her Big 12 Player of family atmosphere that permeates Connecticut (10,713 fans). In 2008-09, OU drew more than 10,000 in the Year and All-Big 12 first team honors in 2001 and 2002. six different home games. the entire staff and team. In addition to these two standout players, Coale has coached three As the victories came, so did Sooner fans. Nearly two million have players to Big 12 Player of the Year honors five times, 15 players to watched an OU women’s basketball game since Coale’s arrival. Coale all-conference honors 33 times and three players to First-Team All- produced her first winning season in 1999 as OU played in front of America status. She has also developed nine players into WNBA draft 1,558 fans per game. Her 2002 Final Four team drew an impressive selections, Dales, Caufield, Ross, Maria Villarroel (2004), Phylesha 6,606 fans per game and all of the attendance records have been re- Whaley (2000), Dionnah Jackson (2005), Leah Rush (2007) and written as last year’s average shot to 9,007. Ashley and Courtney Paris (2009).

But Coale’s plan isn’t just taking place on the hardwood floor of Caufield also repeated her All-Big 12 second team honors en route to Lloyd Noble Center. She has worked hard to show the public that the earning honorable mention Kodak accolades. Hill and Ross appeared athletic and academic pursuits of OU players should be challenged to on the All-Big 12 third team, while Dales and Jackson were voted to the fullest. All the while, she was making sure her players understood the Big 12 All-Tournament team. Caufield was voted the Defensive that the methods and rules of her program would make them better Player of the Year by the Women’s Basketball News Service and was athletes and better students who would be able to adapt to the outside selected as a Defensive All-American by the Women’s Basketball Journal world once school was completed. in 2001. Jackson, after appearing on the All-Big 12 second team for two seasons, received first team All-Big 12 honors and honorable mention Kodak All-America honors for the 2005 season.

116 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 117 USA Basketball Serving Others Before OU Career Highlights Coale and her Sooners have also been honored by USA Basketball. Getting her teams involved within the Sooner family and the After graduating from Oklahoma Christian, Coale received her first 1996-1997: Became the eighth coach in program history ... Won her first collegiate game by beating Oral Roberts, 62-50, in the Classic on Nov. 22, 1996, in Stillwater, During the summer of 2005, the Sooner mentor was named to the USA community has always been a priority for Coale. She believes it’s coaching assignment at Edmond Memorial High School, serving a two- Okla. ... Picked up her first Big 12 win in the league opener against Texas A&M. Basketball Committee by the NCAA. She served on the national board important for her student-athletes to give back to the community that year term as an assistant coach. 1997-1998: Nearly doubled overall win total from previous season and quadrupled Big 12 through 2008. supports them. win total ... Team set four school records ... Tallied six Academic All-Big 12 honors and 10 The next stop was as the head coach of the Norman High School girls’ Big 12 Commissioner’s awards to lead the conference.

Previously, Coale had served as an assistant coach on the 2001 USA Each player under Coale’s supervision has participated in the Sooner basketball team from 1990-96. 1998-1999: Produced her first winning season with an overall record of 15-14 ... Advanced Basketball Women’s Junior World Championship Team that won a Big Sis Program, a program that enables players to volunteer their time her first team to postseason action as OU participated in the 1999 WNIT, going 1-1. bronze medal in Brno, Czech Republic, in July 2001. as mentors and teacher’s aides to elementary schools in the Norman The OU transformation that Coale has spearheaded is strikingly 1999-2000: Received an at-large berth to her first NCAA Tournament ... OU won its first community. similar to the changes she made at Norman High. She took a declining NCAA game under Coale by beating BYU, 86-81, and shocked the tournament field by Leah Rush made her debut with USA Basketball when she was invited program and after an 11-12 performance in 1990, her debut season, upsetting defending national champion, Purdue, on its home court on March 20, 2000 ... OU advanced to its first Sweet 16 under the current NCAA format ... The Sooners recorded to the 2005 USA Basketball Women’s National Team Trials. Rush, an In addition, each season the team gives back to the community by the Lady Tigers never had a losing record under her tutelage. By the a then-program best 25-8 record ... Oklahoma finished in a three-way tie for first place in Amarillo, Texas, native, was one of the 16 finalists for a spot on the volunteering its time to a non-profit organization. Last year, the time she left for OU, Coale had directed NHS to two Class 6A state the Big 12 regular season race ... Coale was runner-up for the AP National Coach of the Year USA World University Games Team. team was involved with the Mary Abbott Children’s House, a child championships and a 147-40 career record. Her final two Norman and was named ESPN.com, Big 12 and WBCA District V Coach of the Year. abuse response center in Norman. In previous years, the team has teams went 53-2. Coale was honored as the region, all-state and Big 2000-2001: Led the program to a then-school record 28 wins and a final national ranking Ashley and Courtney Paris had international experience before they volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the Oklahoma City’s Children’s All-City High School Coach of the Year in 1993. of No. 7 ... OU won its first outright Big 12 Conference regular season title and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year ... Coale was named the Big 12, WBCA even donned a Sooner uniform. Both earned gold medals on the 2004 Hospital, J.D. McCarthy Center for Children with Developmental District V, Women’s Basketball Journal, ESPN The Magazine and Sports Illustrated Coach of the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival West Team. The twins Disabilities in Norman, the Children’s Miracle Network, the CCFI, the Through the success of her high school teams, Coale had several Year and was a finalist for the Naismith, WBCA and AP Coach of the Year. were also invited to tryouts for the 2004 Junior National Team, 2005 United Way’s “Meals on Wheels,” Race for the Cure and the Norman players earn NCAA Division I basketball scholarships, including Stacy 2001-2002: Coached OU to the NCAA Final Four where the Sooners finished second to USA U19 World Championship Team and the 2006 USA U20 World Women’s Resource Center and Battered Women’s Shelter. Hansmeyer to Connecticut (1997-2000), Sarah Dimson to Stanford Connecticut ... For the first time in history, OU was awarded a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and concluded the year with its highest ranking of No. 2 ... OU won its first Championship Team. Courtney went on to make all three teams and (1998-2001) and Sunny Hardeman (1998-01) and Shannon Selmon NCAA Regional and Big 12 Tournament titles ... Coale was honored by Kansas City Sports earned three gold medals in three international tournaments with the Additionally, the women’s basketball team and many other OU (1999-2002) to Oklahoma. Commission for Outstanding Achievement for Amateur Athletics. squads. Courtney Paris was the youngest member of the U.S. Senior programs have made it an annual event to help host and run the 2002-2003: OU reached its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament and hosted its third National Team in 2008. Norman area Special Olympics. After being out of the high school ranks for six years, Hansmeyer and consecutive NCAA subregional ... The 10th-seeded Sooners lost to No. 7 seed George Coale were inducted into Norman High School Hall of Fame together Washington in the opening round of the tourney ... OU won the Bertha Teague Classic and finished second to UConn in the Wahine Invitational ... The squad recorded the program’s Welch and Hill represented OU and USA Basketball during the in February 2002. 12th season of 18 or more wins. summers of 2003 and 2001, respectively. Welch, a native of Plainview, 2003-2004: Coale became OU’s all-time career wins leader when the Sooners defeated Texas, was one of 12 Big 12 All-Stars who represented USA Basketball For Coale’s life accomplishments, the community of Healdton, Okla., Nebraska, 70-51, on Jan. 7, 2004 ... Became the first team in Big 12 history to win the during the 2003 World University games. Hill was Coale’s first player to Coale is the winningest declared August 26, 2001, as “Sherri Coale Day.” conference tournament title by playing four games in five days ... En route to the title, OU make a USA Basketball squad. The former Ada, Okla., standout helped upset three higher ranked opponents, including No. 2 Texas, 66-47, in the championship game. the United States to a gold medal at the 2001 World University Games coach in Big 12 history Coale isn’t the only coach in her household. Her husband Dane, whom in Beijing, China. she met while at OCU, was formerly the head coach at Purcell 2004-2005: OU reached its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament where the Sooners lost and a four-time to host Arizona in the Tucson Regional ... Coale was named to the Women’s Basketball High School. She married the former OCU baseball player on June Coaches Association Board of Directors and the USA Basketball Selection Committee coach of the year 20, 1987. The couple has two children, son Colton, 17, and daughter, following the season. Chandler, 13. The former Sherri Buben and her brother, Jack, are the 2005-2006: OU went 31-5, received a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached children of Beverly Stash and Joe Buben. Jack has 9-year-old twins, the Sweet 16 round ... The Sooners went 19-0 against league foes en route to Big 12 regular Jackson and Jaycie. season and tournament championships ... Coale was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and WBCA Region VI Coach of the Year ... Coale earned her 200th career win when the Sooners defeated Iowa State in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Championship ... During the summer of the 2006, she was elected Vice President of the WBCA.

2006-2007: OU scored a second consecutive sweep of the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles en route to a 28-5 season, including a 13-3 conference record ... The Sooners reached the Sweet 16 for the second straight year and Courtney Paris earned AP National Player of the Year, Big 12 Player of the Year and consensus All-America honors ... In August 2007, Coale began a two-year term as president of the WBCA.

2007-2008: Coale became the all-time leader in Big 12 coaching victories with her 119th ... Oklahoma advanced to the NCAA Tournament for a ninth consecutive season and finished the year with a 22-9 record and No. 19 ranking ... Courtney Paris earned Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors while Danielle Robinson was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year ... Ashley Paris, an All-Big 12 honorable mention, received recognition on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America District VI First Team.

2008-2009: Voted by her peers as Big 12 Coach of the Year for a record fourth time, Coale coached the Sooners to a second Final Four appearance ... OU matched its program-record 32 wins en route to a Oklahoma City Regional Championship and a record sixth Big 12 season championship ... Courtney Paris became the first four-time All-American recognized by the Associated Press and U.S. Basketball Writers Association, the Big 12 Player of the Year for a third time and won the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award ... Danielle Robinson was a Award finalist and, with Ashley Paris, an All-America honorable mention and All-Big 12 First Team member ... Robinson also earned Academic All-District honors.

118 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 119 Jan Ross is entering her 14th season as an assistant coach on the Stacy Hansmeyer enters her ninth season as an assistant coach for Oklahoma basketball staff. Ross has played an instrumental part the Oklahoma women’s basketball program. Hansmeyer embarked on Jan Ross in rebuilding the Oklahoma program. She has helped head coach Stacy Hansmeyer her full-time collegiate coaching career in her hometown of Norman, Sherri Coale turn the Oklahoma women’s basketball program into a alongside her former high school coach and current OU head coach Assistant Coach nationally recognized name. Assistant Coach Sherri Coale in 2001. 14th Season at Oklahoma Ninth Season at Oklahoma Since Ross’ arrival, the Sooners have won six Big 12 Conference regular Hansmeyer has now seen both sides of success, having been part of season titles, four Big 12 Postseason Championships, produced eight Connecticut’s 2000 NCAA title as a senior and Oklahoma’s 2002 and 20-plus win seasons and advanced to 10 NCAA Tournaments. Ross 2009 NCAA Final Four appearances as a coach. also helped OU to the 2002 National Championship game and 2009 national semifinals. With eight years behind her, Hansmeyer has served major roles in recruiting, opponent scouting and on-the-court coaching for the Ross has been extremely active in all phases of Oklahoma’s emergence Sooners. She also assists with academic monitoring and supervising into the national spotlight. Ross’ area of emphasis includes coaching team managers. OU’s frontcourt, recruiting and scouting opponents. Not only is her expertise with post players essential, but Ross is a mastermind when Hansmeyer’s daily instruction of Ashley and Courtney Paris was a it comes down to the Xs and Os of the game. She is also one of the top key factor in their development and OU’s Final Four run in 2009. recruiters in the game. Ross’ recruiting efforts have ensured that the Courtney Paris, a four-time All-American and 2007 National Player of Sooners will remain one of the top women’s basketball programs in the the Year, ended her career as one of the most productive players in the country. history of the sport, becoming the first to score 2,500 points and total 2,000 rebounds in a career. In addition to the Sooners’ team accomplishments with Ross on the sideline, OU post players have flourished individually. She has helped Upon arrival to OU, this former UConn and Norman High School Phylesha Whaley, Courtney Paris and Caton Hill develop into three standout immediately brought energy, excitement, experience of the top post players in the country. All three players are among the and attitude to the Sooner program -- four valuable and necessary College Coaching Career best in Oklahoma history and the records books illustrate it. College Coaching Career components that helped the Sooners to the 2002 Big 12 regular Oklahoma, Assistant Coach, 1996-Present Oklahoma, Assistant Coach, 2001-Present season and tournament titles. Oklahoma extended its season by In past seasons, Ross monitored the academic progress of each Connecticut, Student Assistant, 2000-01 winning the NCAA West Regional crown, allowing OU to advance to Playing Career student-athlete. As a team, the Sooners have posted a team GPA of 3.0 the school’s first NCAA Final Four, where the Sooners lost to her alma Oklahoma Christian, 1983-96 or better for 23 of the 26 semesters she has been at OU and have had Playing Career mater, Connecticut, in the national championship game. three student-athletes earn Academic All-America first team honors Connecticut, 1997-2000 Education under Ross’ watch. Oklahoma has produced 76 Academic All-Big 12 Prior to coming back to Oklahoma, Hansmeyer spent the 2000-01 selections in 13 seasons. season as a student assistant for UConn head coach . Oklahoma Christian, 1986 Education She helped the Huskies advance to the NCAA Final Four for a second Oklahoma, 1990 Connecticut, 2001 With the Sooners’ recent success, Ross has experienced first hand the straight year and produce an overall record of 32-3. As a four-year growing interest in girls basketball within the state and surrounding letterwinner (1997-2000) for Coach Auriemma, the Huskies, with Hometown areas as noted by the rapid attendance increase in OU’s Sooner Hometown Hansmeyer, produced an overall record of 132-10 (.930 winning Born in Chickasha, Okla. Sessions Camps. OU annually hosts approximately 1,500 campers, Born in Norman, Okla. percentage). UConn appeared in the NCAA Tournament each year, which includes more than 100 teams. advanced to the Elite Eight twice (1996-97, 1997-98) and Final NCAA Tournaments Coached NCAA Tournaments Coached Four (1999-2000) and Sweet 16 (1998-99) once with Hansmeyer on 2000 As a player at Oklahoma Christian, she collected numerous playing 2001 the roster. The program also won four Big East regular season and 2001 and academic honors including NAIA honorable mention All-America, 2002 tournament titles. 2002 All-District IV and All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection as a 2003 2003 senior. She also was an NAIA Scholar Athlete and was elected to Who’s 2004 As a player, she averaged 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. She 2004 Who. An all-state athlete at Putnam City West, Ross ranks 11th on 2005 also finished her career ranked ninth in career percentage 2005 Oklahoma Christian’s career scoring list with 1,348 points. She holds 2006 (.545) and tied for eighth for most career games played (134). The 2006 the school record for career steals (300) and completed her career with 2007 power forward played in all 17 NCAA Tournament games during her 2007 a .537 field goal percentage and 494 assists. 2008 career. 2008 2009 2009 After ending her collegiate career with Oklahoma Christian, Ross In the summer of 1999, she led the Big East/Nike All-Star team with joined the program as an assistant coach for five years and served Prominent Pupils 14.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Prior to that, she was named to the as assistant athletics director for two years. This Oklahoman was 1997-98 Preseason WNIT All-Tournament team. Prominent Pupils , inducted into her alma mater’s Athletic Hall of Fame in February LaNeisha Caufield, LaNeisha Caufield, Utah Starzz 2003. As a former player under Coale at Norman High, Hansmeyer earned Stacey Dales, Stacey Dales, Chicago Sky USA Today honorable mention All-America and Parade magazine third Dionnah Jackson, Dionnah Jackson, Sacramento Monarchs Ross also gained coaching experience at Broken Arrow (1995-96) and team All-America accolades as a senior (1995-96). She led Norman Ashley Paris, Ashley Paris, Los Angeles Sparks Del City high schools (1991-95) as the head coach. High to the state 6A title with a 27-1 record, contributing 17.0 points Courtney Paris, Sacramento Monarchs Courtney Paris, Sacramento Monarchs and 9.0 rebounds per game her final prep season. Following her senior Rosalind Ross, Los Angeles Sparks Rosalind Ross, Los Angeles Sparks The Chickasha, Okla. native received her bachelor’s degree in season, Hansmeyer gained international playing experience and the Leah Rush, Pheonix Mercury Leah Rush, Pheonix Mercury mathematics with a minor in physical education from Oklahoma respect of USA Basketball when she earned a spot on the 1996 Junior Maria Villaroel, , Phoenix Mercury Christian University (1986) and her master’s degree in sports National team. Phylesha Whaley, Maria Villaroel, Phoenix Mercury administration from the (1990). After being out of the high school ranks for six years, Hansmeyer and Coale were inducted into the Norman High School Hall of Fame together in February 2002.

120 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 121 Chad Thrailkill is in his sixth season as an assistant coach. After Bringing a wealth of executive experience in corporate, sports and serving as director of basketball operations for two years, the former family-owned businesses, Guy Austin joined the Oklahoma women’s Chad Thrailkill high school head coach was hired as an assistant with the Oklahoma Guy Austin basketball program as Director of Operations in July 2006. women’s basketball program prior to the 2004-05 season. Assistant Coach Director of operations The Seminole, Okla., native left his job as Director of Sales and Eighth Season at Oklahoma Thrailkill is extremely familiar with Coale’s style of play as he served Fourth Season at Oklahoma Marketing with Oklahoma City’s Ford Center and Cox Business as an assistant to her at Norman High. The two produced a three-year Services Convention Center to pursue the new venture with OU. record of 76-7 (.916 winning percentage), coached two teams to the state playoffs (1994, 1996) and produced one state championship title The position is not be a major change of scenery for Austin, who had College Coaching Career (1996). Professional Career worked daily with sports and entertainment entities since 2000. Oklahoma, Assistant Coach, 2004-Present Director of Women’s Basketball Operations, University of Oklahoma, Austin was part of the management group that hosted the NBA’s New Oklahoma, Director of Operations, 2002-04 Together, Coale and Thrailkill have produced a combined record of July 2006-Present Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, minor league hockey’s OKC Blazers 210-44 (.827), including a 130-37 record at OU, when they team and the Arena2 Football League’s OKC Yard Dawgz. This is in addition Playing Career together on the same coaching staff. Director of Sales and Marketing, Ford Center and Cox Convention to numerous live concerts and shows from a variety of prominent Southern Nazarene, 1991-93 Center, Nov. 2005-July 2006 artists. Lenoir Rhyne, 1990 Thrailkill’s duties with the Sooners include working with the Sooner guards and assisting with the recruiting efforts, opponent scouting, Sales Manager, Ford Center and Cox Convention Center, With the Sooner program, Austin manages the team’s finances, plan Education practice planning and facility scheduling. In charge of the team’s April 2003-Nov. 2005 official visits for potential student-athletes and coordinate the summer Southern Nazarene, 1993 defensive schemes, Thrailkill instituted the Victim’s Club last year, basketball camps. He will also oversee the OU Fast Break Club, Guest posting the opponent’s name to a board in the Sooners’ locker room if Owner, Austin Land and Cattle, LLC Coach, Coaches’ Clinic and Sooner Big Sis programs, in addition to they were kept below 60 points. That extra initiative helped OU keep assisting in the numerous marketing aspects for the Sherri Coale-led Hometown 22 opponents under 60 points, up from 13 the year before. Personal team. Born in Norman, Okla. Born in Seminole, Okla. He is also responsible for supervising the community service projects While with the Ford and Cox Centers, Austin was responsible for Family of the team, which this year includes helping at Food and Shelter for Family the oversight and implementation of marketing and sales strategies. Wife: April Friends of Norman, a community outreach center for homeless and Daughter: Alex He managed a team of five full-time employees in the execution of Daugthers: Sadie, Shelby transitional families. Son: Cameron premium seating sales, corporate partnerships and event awareness. Sons: Brayden, Hudson In addition to being responsible for customer satisfaction and Prior to joining the Sooners in July 2002, Thrailkill served as head community relationships, he also worked closely with the upper level NCAA Tournaments Coached coach for the Norman North High School boys’ basketball program. management team in event operations and problem solving. 2005 Thrailkill was named Mid-State Conference Coach of the Year after 2006 guiding the boys’ team to the 2002 regional title. In 2001, he coached Prior to his position as Director of Sales and Marketing, he also served 2007 NNHS to the school’s first state playoff appearance. as Sales Manager for the OKC arenas and Director of Special Events 2008 for Express Sports. 2009 Thrailkill also served a four-year stint as head girls’ basketball coach at Westmoore High School from 1996 to 2000, where he coached former Before joining the corporate sector, Austin was the owner and operator Sooner Erin Higgins for two years. His 2000 squad finished second in of Austin Land and Cattle, L.L.C. Austin oversaw the 1,600 acre Prominent Pupils the state with an overall record of 25-3, while the 1999 team won the ranch and 1, 000 head purebred cattle operation in his hometown of Dionnah Jackson, Sacramento Monarchs state crown with a 25-4 mark. For his coaching performance, he was Seminole. He also handled all sales, advertising and marketing. Ashley Paris, Los Angeles Sparks named the region, Mid-State Conference and Big All-City Coach of Courtney Paris, Sacramento Monarchs the Year. He was also invited to serve as an assistant coach for the Jim Austin’s last name should be very familiar to Sooner fans. His Leah Rush, Pheonix Mercury Thorpe All-Star Games that summer. grandfather’s name appears on the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course. Maria Villaroel, Phoenix Mercury Additionally, Jimmie As an athlete, Thrailkill accepted a Austin endowed a women’s basketball scholarship to Lenoir- basketball scholarship in Rhyne (Hickory, N.C.). After one honor of his late wife, Marie. season, he transferred to Southern Guy’s uncle, Paul, also served Nazarene (Bethany) where he was as an OU regent. a three-year letterwinner. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Austin lives in Norman and physical education from SNU in has two children: daughter, 1993. Alex, and son, Cameron.

He and his wife, April, have an 11-year-old daughter, Shelby; two sons, Brayden, 8, and Hudson, 5, and a 3-year-old daughter, Sadie.

122 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 123 Tim Overman, NSCA, CSCCA Paula Smalling Strength and Conditioning Coach | Seventh Season | Creighton, 2000 Administrative Assistant | 19th Season

Every head coach will say that strength and conditioning plays a large role in the success of the team. In his productive seven-year term with the University of Oklahoma, Tim Overman has been a crucial part of the women’s basketball team’s last six Big 12 Championships, seven Paula Smalling is in her 19th year with the Oklahoma women’s basketball program. She began as a part-time employee and consecutive NCAA Championship appearances and its 2009 Final Four run. has participated in and witnessed the growth and development of the program into one which is known nationally. In 2001, she received the Sooner Service Award in recognition of her hard work and dedication. Overman’s goals are to improve on-the-court performance and help each athlete become the best basketball player she can be. He’s also dedicated to the overall wellness of each student-athlete as he stresses the importance of a balanced diet. As office manager, Smalling is an instrumental part of the Sooners’ program. She is responsible for numerous duties from That commitment earned him a spot on head strength coordinator Jerry Schmidt’s staff that trains OU’s national powerhouse football fielding phone calls and handling correspondence for the coaching staff to maintaining various departmental records. program. In 2002, Overman was directly responsible for implementing strength training, speed, agility and conditioning programs for OU’s baseball and teams. Three of the four programs Overman coached that season advanced to postseason action including the national The Norman, Okla., native met and married her husband Connel while both were attending OU. The Smallings have two championship gymnastics team and the NCAA third-place wrestling team. In 2003, he added women’s basektball to his résumé. grown daughters, Keri Fullbright and J.J. Waggoner, and are the proud grandparents of Abbie, Kade, Jennifer and Madison Prior to OU, Overman was a volunteer assistant strength coach for the University of Iowa football program in 2001. Overman served an Waggoner and Levi, Hannah and Isabella Fullbright. internship at Athlete’s Performance in Tempe, Ariz., in 2000 which allowed him to work directly with professional athletes. He was heavily involved in improving athletes’ sports specific needs such as flexibility, speed training, weight training, nutrition and physical recovery techniques.

As an undergraduate at Creighton University, Overman had the opportunity to develop workout, testing, rehabilitation and maintenance programs for the Bluejay athletes. He also served as a student trainer for CU.

The Mt. Vernon, Iowa, native is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and personal trainer. He is certified by the National Strength and Conditioning and the College Strength and Conditioning Coaches Associations. kate gaines Video Coordinator | Second Season | Kansas State, 2005 Administrative Assistant | Fifth Season

One of the most decorated players in the history of the Big 12 Conference, Kendra Wecker, shifts roles in her second year Kate Gaines joined the Oklahoma women’s basketball program with school in full swing in September 2005, immediately at the University of Oklahoma to video coordinator with the women’s basketball program. Following a season as a graduate contributing to the administrative efforts and overall efficiency of the basketball offices. assistant, Wecker oversees the taping and archiving of practice and game video. Wecker also coordinates all exchange requests and acquisitions. In addition to her general duties, she also serves as the color analyst for OU’s radio broadcasts. Prior to joining OU, Gaines stayed home for five years with her two young children, daughter Hannah, 9, and son Gabe, 5. Prior to that time, the Choctaw, Okla., native gained a diverse and impressive amount of managerial experience. From Wecker was a three-time All-Big 12 First Team member at Kansas State and was picked fourth overall by the San Antonio 1999-2000, Gaines oversaw the construction and completion of The Remington at Memorial, a $6 million luxury apartment Silver Stars in the 2005 WNBA Draft. After suffering an ACL tear in the first game of her rookie season, Wecker returned community in Tulsa. She also implemented a marketing plan that helped produce 50 leases prior to the completion of the following season and appeared in 58 career WNBA games, averaging 3.7 points and 1.8 rebounds. Wecker played in nine construction. As property manager, she was in charge of hiring, daily operations and the yearly operating budget. Gaines games in 2008 with the before being put on waivers. began her career in property management and sales while serving as a leasing agent for the Tulsa-based company Chardonnay.

The Marysville, Kan., native ended her collegiate basketball career as one of the sport’s most prolific athletes. A first-team From 1995 to 1997, Gaines served in three positions for Dillard’s. As an area sales manager, she managed the shoe and men’s All-American in 2005, Wecker was a three-time Naismith Player of the Year finalist and two-time Wade Trophy and Wooden departments which netted combined annual sales of $10.4 million. Award finalist. Gaines and husband Ryan, who joined the baseball staff as director of operations in July 2005, live with their two children in Wecker still holds Kansas State career records for scoring (2,333 points), rebounds (1,087), double-doubles (52), field goals Norman. made (935), field goals attempted (1,913) and minutes played (4,141). Wecker is pursuing a Master’s of Education with an emphasis in intercollegiate athletics administration. Carolynn Loon, ATC ryan lawrence Athletic Trainer | Fifth Season | Ohio State, 1999 Equipment Manager | First Season | Washington State, 2008

Carolynn Loon is entering her fifth year with the Oklahoma sports medicine department and the women’s basketball team. The Phoenix native joined the Sooner Ryan Lawrence joins the Oklahoma women’s basketball program as an Assistant Director of Equipment Operations after fold after four years as an assistant athletic trainer at American University in Washington, D.C. Loon also supervises the medical care for OU’s team. serving in a similar role for the U.S. Naval Academy last year. Loon earned a Bachelor of Science with honors in biology from Ohio State University. She continued her education with a Master of Science in exercise and movement science at the University of Oregon. Lawrence is responsible for all equipment and apparel ordering, distribution and storing for the women’s basketball, women’s soccer and women’s rowing teams. He also works closely with Nike, the official apparel supplier of Oklahoma Athletics. While at American, Loon worked with the women’s basketball, field hockey, , lacrosse and swimming teams. In addition to serving as an intermediary Additionally, Lawrence oversees the undergraduate manager staff for those sports. between team physicians, coaches and parents, Loon also coordinated rehabilitation and warm-up regimens. Prior to American, she served as a graduate assistant at Oregon where she worked with the softball and women’s soccer programs. On top of her standard work responsibilities with the Ducks, she also arranged meal guidelines with a nutritionist and a year-round cardiovascular conditioning and flexibility program. At Navy, Lawrence was in charge of both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. Prior to Navy, Lawrence was a manager for the Washington State women’s basketball program for three seasons, where he graduated with a degree in sport Loon has served as the main hosting athletic trainer for several major events, including the Women’s College World Series, the NCAA Field Hockey Tournament, management. Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Championship, Patriot League Men’s Tennis Championship, Patriot League Volleyball Championship and the 2000 USA National Master’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships. During her undergrad days at Ohio State, Loon worked with seven teams, including the nationally- recognized football squad. While in Columbus, she served as the hosting student athletic trainer for the 1998 Big Ten Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Lawrence is the son of Jeffrey and Barbara Lawrence and a native of Lacey, Wash. He has two younger sisters, Heather and 1998 Jesse Owen’s Track and Field Classic and the 1998 Big Ten Cross Country Championships. Emily.

Loon is certified by the National Athletic Trainer’s Association as an athletic trainer, qualified examiner and model. She also is certified in CPR/AED by the American Red Cross. Loon resides in Norman with her husband Leehu Loon, who is an assistant professor of landscape architecture at OU. They have one son, Judah, born in May 2009.

124 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 125 Donald McGinnis, M.D. Team Orthopedic Surgeon | 13th Season Melissa Terry Terra Fischer Dr. Don McGinnis is in his 13th season as the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball team orthopedic surgeon. He also Strength and Conditioning Intern Student Manager provides primary care for OU’s football, baseball and softball teams.

Dr. McGinnis is a 1990 graduate of OU’s College of Medicine and currently is an orthopedic surgeon at the McBride Clinic in Oklahoma City.

In addition to his clinical practice, he is a clinical instructor and the Director of of Sports Medicine at the OU Health Sciences Center. He serves as an orthopedic surgeon and coordinator of orthopedic coverage for OU Athletics. Kristi Berzinski Callie Fussell Student Manager Student Manager He has also served as a team physician for the United States Snowboarding team and the Oklahoma City Redhawks baseball team.

Dr. McGinnis and his wife, Stacy, have four sons: Austin, 16; Tyler, 14; Connor, 12; and Garrett, 10.

Jessika Carrington Monique Gaines Student Manager Student Manager Steve Smith, M.D. Team Physician | 11th Season

In his 11th season as the primary care physician for the Oklahoma women’s basketball program is Dr. Steve Smith. He is also the primary care physician for OU’s men’s and women’s tennis, gymnastics, cross country and track and field, women’s soccer, softball and volleyball programs. Oklahoma

Dr. Smith was appointed as the primary care physician for Oklahoma’s Athletics Department in August 1999. He began women’s basketball working at Goddard Health Center as an assistant clinical professor from OU’s College of Medicine in August 1997. office staff After earning his M.D. from the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in 1993, he completed a three-year residency at In His Image Family Practice in Tulsa and was board certified in family medicine in 1996. He then returned to OU and completed a fellowship in sports medicine in 1997 from the Primary Care Sports Medicine program at the OU Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. He received a bachelor of science from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1989.

Dr. Smith and his wife, Cindy, have an 12-year-old daughter, Makenzi, and a 6-year-old son, Braden.

Jared Thompson Sports Information Director | Third Season | Oklahoma, 2004

Jared Thompson, OU associate director of media relations, enters his third season as the liaison between the women’s basketball team and covering media. Thompson also supervises the media relations efforts for OU’s men’s and women’s tennis teams.

Previously, Thompson worked two seasons with Oklahoma’s men’s and women’s track and field teams during their stellar 2006 and 2007 seasons. Thompson has also coordinated media activites for OU’s football, baseball, softball, cross country, women’s gymnastics and men’s golf teams.

The Collinsville, Okla., native has assisted in the promotion campaigns for Adrian Peterson and Jason White and Courtney Paris’ national awards campaigns. Thompson has played a major role is the publication of the football team’s regular season and bowl media guides, regularly voted among the best in the nation by an association of media relations directors.

Thompson, who has been with OU’s athletics department since February 2004, graduated from Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s in journalism and mass communication in December 2004. He received his Master’s in adult and higher education/ intercollegiate athletics administration in May 2007.

126 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 127 American Association of University Professors presented Boren with the Henry The achievement that may bring him the most pride, though, came in Yost Award as Education Advocate of the Year. May 2007 when he completed his master’s of education degree from David L. Boren Joe Castiglione OU. To understand the need for education and lifelong learning, OU’s In April 2004, Boren received the Mory’s Cup from the Mory’s Association at Yale student-athletes just have to look at their AD who started and completed University. In making the presentation to Boren it was noted that he was the first Thirteenth President Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics his master’s degree while running the department and maintaining Yale graduate in the university’s history extending over three centuries to have his priorities to his family. He quickly put his experience to use as an The University of Oklahoma served as a Governor, U.S. Senator and President of a major university. Programs and Director of Athletics adjunct professor in the College of Education, teaching a graduate class in Marketing & Development. Under Boren’s leadership, the University of Oklahoma has developed and emerged as a “pacesetter university in American public higher education,” with 20 major In his tenure, OU has celebrated seven national team championships new programs initiated since his inauguration. They include establishment of the David L. Boren, who has served Oklahoma as governor and U.S. senator, became Honors College, the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American Principle Centered Leader …Visionary ... Passionate Advocate for Student- and more than 40 conference team titles; record numbers of graduating the thirteenth president of the University of Oklahoma in November 1994. He is West, a new expository writing program for freshmen modeled on the program at Athletes ... Establishes Standards of Excellence & Cultural Values ... Builder of student-athletes and record-setting grade point averages for Sooner teams; the first person in state history to have served in all three positions. Harvard, an interdisciplinary religious studies program, the Artist-in-Residence Championship Programs dramatically increased donor giving; huge increases in ticket sales for all Program, the International Programs Center, and the Faculty-in-Residence sports; major facility improvements, and development and construction of Boren is widely respected for his academic credentials, his longtime support of Program putting faculty family apartments in student residence halls. The Retired The success of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is known new facilities. education, and for his distinguished political career as a reformer of the American Professors Program has been started, bringing 50 retired full professors back to the throughout the world of intercollegiate athletics. The last decade may political system. A graduate of Yale University in 1963, Boren majored in American University to teach freshmen. stand as one of the most successful in school history and leading that Castiglione was instrumental in the athletics department’s major history, graduated in the top one percent of his class and was elected Phi Beta effort is Joe Castiglione, the Sooner AD since 1998. campaign, Great Expectations: The Campaign For Sooner Sports. The Kappa. He was selected as a Rhodes Scholar and earned a master’s degree in The number of new facilities started or completed on the campus during the campaign ended in November of 2003 with more than $125 million politics, philosophy and economics from Oxford University, England, in 1965. Boren years has matched the explosion in new programs. Since 1994, almost $1 Castiglione’s Sooner team has worked to create a place where competitive raised. The figure has grown to almost $200 million since then as billion in construction projects have been completed or are under way on OU’s In 1968, he received a law degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, dreams come true and academic goals are reached with regularity. funds continue to be raised for facility improvements and scholarship three campuses. Among the largest of the recent projects are the $18.7 million where he was on the Law Review, elected to the Order of the Coif, and won the Excellence is the norm at OU, and the Sooners’ sports programs, student- endowments. The largest fund-raising effort in OU athletics history renovation and expansion of historic Holmberg Hall, home of music and dance Bledsoe Prize as the outstanding graduate by a vote of the faculty. athletes, coaches and staff are committed to that standard. includes projects that impact each of OU’s nearly 500 student-athletes and programs; the $67 million National Weather Center; the $19 million addition to the has become a national model for intercollegiate athletics. Michael F. Price College of Business; the $17 million Gaylord Hall for journalism As Oklahoma’s governor from 1974 through 1978, Boren promoted key educational For Castiglione, though, it’s not just about the championships and and mass communication; the $27 million Stephenson Research and Technology initiatives that have had an enduring impact on Oklahoma. Established during trophies. The victories that he celebrates with his Sooners include Hired on April 30, 1998, Castiglione joined the Sooner family after serving Center; and the $83.5 million stadium project. The Health Sciences Center has his tenure were the Oklahoma Arts Institute, the Scholar-Leadership Enrichment graduation rates that continue to climb, record-setting grade point as athletics director at Missouri. In his 17-year career with the Tigers, a new Student Union, and the new $24 million Stanton L. Young Biomedical Program, and the Oklahoma Physicians Manpower Training Program, which averages and academic honors. The true measure of achievement for Castiglione, who was named director of athletics at Missouri on Dec. 15, Research Center. provides scholarships for medical students and medical personnel who commit Castiglione and, by extension, the department’s coaches and staff, 1993, was credited with rebuilding sports programs, hiring outstanding to practice in underserved rural areas. Also, the first state funding for Gifted and is measured in the success of the student-athletes in relation to the coaches, implementing an innovative master plan for facilities, inspiring Presidential Travel Scholarships, students from 111 countries on campus, more Talented classes was provided in 1976 and, from 1976 through 1978, Oklahoma department’s mission statement “Inspiring champions today … Preparing record-setting increases in fund-raising and balancing the budget in each reciprocal international exchange agreements than any other university and the ranked first among all states in the percentage increases of funding for higher leaders for tomorrow” of his five years as athletics director. new International Programs Center are all making OU more international. The new education. Honors College helps to assure that no students need to leave Oklahoma to find an educational experience to match their potential. With the support of OU President David L. Boren and OU’s seven-member A 1979 Maryland graduate, Castiglione received the University’s One of Boren’s most far-reaching projects in promoting quality education at all Board of Regents, Castiglione has gone about creating a climate that Distinguished Alumnus Award in April 2007. He began his career as the levels is the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, which he founded in 1985. The In 1995, Boren launched the “Reach for Excellence” fundraising campaign with a creates lofty goals, high standards and a commitment to ethical behavior sports promotions director at Rice. He then worked a year as director of foundation recognizes outstanding public school students and teachers and helps five-year goal of $200 million, which was twice as large as any fundraising drive in that is second to none. athletic fund-raising at Georgetown before being hired in 1981 at Missouri establish private local foundations to help give academic endowment grants to local Oklahoma history. The drive exceeded $500 million, raising OU into the top 15 as director of communications and marketing. public schools. As a senator, he was the author of the National Security Education public universities in the United States in private endowment per capita. Since Since arriving at OU in 1998 after an outstanding career at Missouri, Act in 1992, which provides scholarships for study abroad and for learning 1994, endowed professorships have more than quadrupled and the OU donor base Castiglione has seen the Sooners finish in the top 30 of the Learfield His commitment to the success of student-athletes has gone beyond the additional languages, as well as legislation to restore the tax deductibility of gifts of has grown from 18,000 to more than 107,000 friends and alumni. During the Director’s Cup in nine of the last 11 years. Through his insistence that daily Norman campus and he has served at national and conference level. He appreciated property to universities in 1993. first 10 years of Boren’s tenure over $1 billion in private gifts were donated to the and long-term decisions be made in a financially responsible manner, the chairs the NCAA’s Football Academic Progress Rate (APR) Working Group university. Boren, also a former state legislator, spent nearly three decades in elective politics department has closed the books in the black in each of the last 11 years. and is currently serving on the Gatorade Collegiate Advisory Board and before becoming the president of the University of Oklahoma. Boren was the In 2009, the department increased its direct support of the academic the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame Board Above all, the Boren years have been marked by an emphasis on putting students youngest governor in the nation when he served from 1974 to 1978. Known mission of the University by increasing its annual commitment to $4 of Directors. He served two terms as chair of the Big 12 Board of Athletics first. There is not a university president in the country that is more committed to as a reformer, Boren campaigned with a broom as his symbol. During his term, million dollars. Through direct and indirect support, OU Athletics, under Directors and is a past president of both the Division I-A Athletic Directors students as his number one priority. He teaches a freshman-level course in political he instituted many progressive programs, including conflict-of-interest rules, Castiglione’s leadership, provides more than $7 million to OU Academics. Association and NACDA. He served a four-year term on the NCAA science each semester and is one of the few presidents of major universities to campaign-financing disclosure, stronger open meeting laws for public bodies, Championship/Competition Cabinet and the NCAA Baseball Committee teach. more competitive bidding on state government contracts, and reform of the state’s The 11th director of athletics in University of Oklahoma history, and is a past member of the NCAA Football Special Events Certification prison system, including expanded education programs for first-time offenders and Castiglione is quick to give full credit to the student-athletes and coaches, Committee. He recently served on the NCAA Diversity Leadership Boren is married to Molly Shi Boren, a former judge and English teacher. Mrs. the largest expansion of the work-release program in state history. the staff, OU President David L. Boren, the OU Board of Regents, the Strategic Planning Committee and the NCAA Division I Women’s Boren is President Emeritus of the Oklahoma Arts Institute, which provides donors and the fans for the success experienced during his tenure. It was Basketball Discussion Group. A member of the Phi Delta Theta Foundation education programs in nine arts disciplines for high school students from across During his time in the U.S. Senate from 1979 to 1994, Boren served on the Senate that commitment to a team approach emphasis that was one of the many Board of Trustees, he is a highly requested speaker at annual conventions the state who are gifted in the arts. Molly Boren has two degrees from the Finance and Agriculture Committees and was the longest-serving chairman of the University of Oklahoma, a master’s degree in English and a Juris Doctorate from qualities that the search committee recognized when they recommended and continuing education institutes. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. From his days as a state legislator and the OU College of Law. A native of Seminole, Boren has two children, Carrie Castiglione to university administration in 1998. governor of Oklahoma to Washington, Boren carried a commitment to reform, Christine Boren, an Episcopal minister, and David Daniel Boren, a member of A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Castiglione is married to the former leading numerous efforts to make government work better for American citizens. the United States Congress from Oklahoma. Devoting much of his life to public In recognition of the performance of OU’s teams on the field and in the Kristen Bartel, a 1990 graduate of the University of Missouri. They are the As chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he strengthened oversight of service, Boren drew from the example of his parents, the late Congressman Lyle H. classroom, of the fiscal stability created during his tenure, the dramatic parents of two sons, Joseph Robert, Jr. and Jonathan Edmund. secret government programs and reformed the procedures for Presidential notice of Boren and Christine Boren. increases in donor giving, facility construction and renovations, and the such programs to Congress. cutting-edge programs that the department has begun during his tenure, Castiglione was named Athletic Director of the Year in May 2009 by the For more than 10 years, he led the fight for congressional campaign finance reform Sports Business Journal. and for legislation discouraging administration and congressional staff from cashing in on government experience and contacts by becoming lobbyists. In addition, he introduced legislation seeking to limit gifts and travel subsidies that That award was one of several earned by Castiglione and the department. government workers, including members of Congress, can receive from lobbyists. The 2007 PRISM Award winner, presented by the School of Sports Boren also chaired the special 1992-93 Joint Committee on the Organization Management at the University of Massachusetts, OU was just the second of Congress, which produced proposals to make Congress more efficient and Division I winner and all of the programs recognized by the selection responsive by streamlining congressional bureaucracy, reducing staff sizes and panel were started under Castiglione’s leadership with the full support of reforming procedures to end legislative gridlock. university administration.

Boren left the U.S. Senate in 1994 with an approval rating of 9l percent after being His peers have honored him for the department’s achievements as well. In reelected with 83 percent of the vote in 1990, the highest percentage in the nation October 2004, the Bobby Dodd Foundation named him Athletics Director in a U.S. Senate contest in that election year. of the Year. In 2003, he was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators Hall of Fame. In June 2001, he Boren served from 1988 to 1997 as a member of the Yale University Board of received the General Robert R. Neyland Athletic Director Award for Trustees. His university experience also includes four years on the faculty of achievement from the All-American Football Foundation. The Oklahoma Baptist University, where he was chairman of the Department of National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) named Political Science and chairman of the Division of Social Sciences. In 1993, the him Central Region AD of the Year in 2000.

128 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 129 What is it? • OU Women’s Basketball’s most avid fans. Larry Naifeh Dr. Gerald Gurney Executive Associate Athletics Director Senior Associate A.D. for Academics and Student Life Why join? • Become a significant part of a program that has become a national powerhouse. • Enjoy special opportunities to meet and visit with the coaches and players.

How to Join... Everyone knows that championships are won through hard work and determination, but • A tax deductible gift ($100 minimum) payable to the OU Foundation, designated for another important component to achieving athletic success is a loyal fan base that supports women’s basketball. Jason Leonard Kenny Mossman the program on and off the court. The Fast Break Club serves that purpose for OU women’s Benefits... Executive Director of Compliance Senior Associate A.D. for Communications basketball. • OU Women’s Basketball newsletter • OU Women’s Basketball media guide For years, the Fast Break Club has assisted the program with special projects, the most • Information on special travel packages to follow the team recent projects focusing on enhancements to the Mary Jane Noble Women’s Basketball • Opportunities to receive special event invitations Center, the home of Sooner women’s basketball. • Advance opportunity to purchase postseason tickets

The projects of the Fast Break Club help build the image and pride of what Sooner women’s For membership information, please call or write the Women’s Basketball Office: Gloria Nevarez Greg Phillips basketball is all about. OU Women’s Basketball Office Senior Associate A.D. for Administration Senior Associate A.D./Chief Financial Officer Please join a group that is both hard working and determined to help OU women’s basketball achieve its goal of winning championships - join the Fast Break Club! Lloyd Noble Center 2900 S. Jenkins Norman, OK 73019 (405) 325-8322 Billy Ray Johnson Luther Lee Associate A.D. for Ticket Operations Assistant A.D. for Business Operations Sooner Stilettos... • Play a role in enhancing the future of OU women’s basketball. • Form lasting relationships with female student-athletes and community leaders. • Increase support and awareness of OU women’s basketball. • Enjoy activities with an energetic and dynamic group of women. • Participate in pre-game activities, luncheons, fashion shows, tailgate parties and National Girls and Women in Sport celebrations. Dr. Nicki Moore Matt Roberts Sooner Stiletto Career Network Assistant A.D. for Psychological Resources Assistant A.D. for Development The Sooner Stilettos began in November 2003 to involve female One of the most exciting things about being a Sooner Stiletto is having the opportunity to community and business leaders with Oklahoma women’s basketball. strengthen that link between Division I female student-athletes and women business and The idea originated with Sherri Coale’s desire to have successful women community leaders. surrounding her program – in the audience at her games, talking about The Sooner Stiletto Career Network is a program that matches our student-athletes, who are her program in the community and having women throughout the preparing for careers, with successful women who have experience in a particular field. community to act as role models for her players. This idea grew into a Greg Tipton Connie Dillon Each year the entire team meets individually with the Sooner Stiletto leadership group dynamic group of 102 charter members full of energy and enthusiasm Assistant A.D. for Equipment Operations Faculty Athletics Representative to discuss career and life plans. As a result of those meetings, the student-athletes are and an inaugural year that went above and beyond expectations. matched up with stilettos to with career and life plans. These matches can result in job Membership continued its growth in year number two, when the group shadowing opportunities, internships, mentoring or leadership training. The program we soared to 173 members. created with the Sooner Stilettos is a branch of the OU Career Network. The opportunities for the OU student-athletes and the stilettos are endless. The Sooner Stiletto Career Network is becoming a premier program for which other programs are modeled. Merv Johnson Joe Washington Visit SoonerStilettos.com for more information! Special Assistant to the Athletics Director Executive Director of Varsity O Association Sooner Sessions For the past decade, the University of Oklahoma women’s basketball Sooner Sessions have University of Oklahoma Athletics caught the attention of state, regional and national players and teams. Head coach Sherri Coale and staff place special emphasis and instruction on the fundamentals of shooting, The mission of the University of Oklahoma Athletics Department is to It is believed that athletic participation gives an added dimension to dribbling, passing and rebounding. The staff also lends its knowledge by way of hands-on, inspire champions today and prepare leaders for tomorrow by providing the student’s overall college experience and provides an opportunity for one-on-one and group explanation and example. With the expertise of the staff, each an excellent environment to enable student-athletes to achieve their social, moral, emotional, and cultural growth and development. camper is able to learn all aspects of the game of basketball. highest academic, athletic and personal aspirations. Coale and her staff are able to attend to the needs of all groups and individuals by way of The athletic programs strive to create traits that once acquired will carry four sessions: Comprehensive Camp (ages 8-18), TOP/Elite Camp (grades 9-12), Team Camp Core Values over and benefit student-athletes in their personal and professional (high school only) and Day Camp (ages 8-18). Camp dates to be announced soon for June • Integrity endeavors. OU maintains a tradition of excellence in intercollegiate 2010. Check SoonerSessions.com for Updates.

• Passion for Excellence sports. • Commitment Mailing List Housing and Food • Respect & Responsibility for Self & Others To be placed on OU’s Sooner Sessions mailing list for a 2009 camp brochure, please call or The athletes are housed in air-conditioned dormitory rooms at the Walker Tower complex The Athletics Department continues to uphold this tradition by striving e-mail your athlete’s name and address to Guy Austin at [email protected]. on the University of Oklahoma campus. The rooms are shared by two campers and, to meet • Appreciation for and Encouragement of Gender & Cultural Diversity to make each athletic team and individual of championship caliber. Its the interests of the athletes, the campers are given the option to select their roommate. All staff members work to instill in student-athletes an appreciation for Enrollment Procedure meals will be provided at a university cafeteria under the direction of a licensed dietian for Philosophy all boarding campers. For more information about Sooner Sessions, please call or write: hard work, perseverance, and pride in accomplishment. It is believed Contact the OU basketball office at (405) 325-8322 or e-mail Guy Austin ([email protected]) The University of Oklahoma Athletics Department promotes excellence to obtain a camp application. Complete the application form and return it with either the these attributes will be utilized throughout the student-athlete’s life. full fee or a deposit. To pay with a credit card, log on to www.SoonerSessions.com, the OU Women’s Basketball Office in athletics without compromising excellence in academics or integrity official web site for Coach Coale’s Sooner Sessions Basketball Camps, and register online. 2900 South Jenkins in its commitment to rules or conduct. Student-athletes are encouraged You can also download a copy of the registration form and brochure at the website to fill out Norman, OK 73019 by the coaching and administrative staff to maintain a balance between and mail in. The deposit is non-refundable unless accompanied by a doctor’s note due to a (405) 325-8322 www.SoonerSessions.com athletics, academics, and the social aspects of college. medical emergency.

130 SOONERSPORTS.COM 2009-10 Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Guide 131