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Home , Carly Patterson, Eddie Pope, Joy Fawcett, Julie Foudy, Lindsay Tarpley, Maren Meinert

Collector’s Edition

e-Zine The Authority in Women’s SportsSM

Most Important Moments

in Sports

2004 CONTENTS REAL SPORTS Collector’s Edition 4th Annual Most Important Moments in Sports 2004

Best Athlete of 2004 Natalie, Abby or Carly 3 - 4 Most Important Moments In Sports Torches pass, keeping the flames lit Title IX’s power – NCAA Championships photo gallery 5-7 Their Commitment, Their Legacy… But Not Their Terms Three ‘91ers say goodbye, but expectations were different 8-13 Future for the Fab Three In their own words 14 Creating a Revival Players push for return of women’s pro soccer 15 Eight is Enough Val Ackerman moves on 16-20 Title Storms Olympic foes – professional mates 21-23

www.REALSPORTSMAG.COM Vol. 7, No. 1-2, 2004 Best Athlete of 2004 Natalie, Abby or Carly In an Olympic year, memories abound involving pursuits of athletic excellence. Female athletes -- so often out of the spotlight -- relish their opportunity to be seen. As REAL SPORTS evaluated athletes, three women rose above the TV tales and hype and delivered against the very high expectations set for them as they competed in . Unlike last year’s list which included Annika Sorenstam and 2004 REAL SPORTS Athlete of the Year, , a very U.S. centric list developed and serves as our finalists for REAL SPORTS 2004 Athlete of the Year. STROKE OF PERFECTION Dating back to 2001, , a 22 year-old, has frequently been covered by REAL SPORTS. In 2001, Coughlin was the NCAA’s swimmer of the year. In 2002, her outstanding National Championship included placing 1st in 100 freestyle, 1st in 200 freestyle, 1st in 100 backstroke and 1st in 100 butterfly. But Olympic Glory had not yet been felt. For swimmers, opportunities to shine to a broad audience come infrequently, so many wondered after Coughlin just missed making the Olympic team in 2000 and when she became ill during the 2003 Championships, would Coughlin deliver in Athens. To those who know her best, there was no doubt. With an individual Gold in the 100m backstroke in Athens, Coughlin laid claim to first place in the world rankings. Coughlin also won an individual Bronze in the 100m freestyle, a Gold in 4x200 freestyle relay and Silver in the 4x100 medley relay. Natalie’s breadth and ability to finish first in both individual and team races at the collegiate, world and Olympic stage, speaks to her tremendous grit and talent.

FUTURE SHINES BRIGHT Three days before Christmas, picked up her second straight U.S. Soccer Chevrolet Female Athlete of the Year award, just recognition after being left out of FIFA’s finalists. The award acknowledges her outstanding performances throughout the year and it comes on the heals of two additional US Soccer Federation awards, including “Best Late-Game Heroics” where Wambach delivered the final goal in to lift the U.S. team to Olympic Gold,

Photo credits: Top to bottom © 2004 Getty Images / Chris McGrath; © 2004 International Sports Images / Michael Pimentel coming ahead of Heather O’Reilly’s goal which put the U.S. in the Olympic Final and ’s tap-in against Mexico and “Best U.S. Soccer Goal” for her goal against Iceland, edging out ’s Olympic goal and ’s goal against Panama. Wambach presented a daunting challenge to opposing teams as she anchored the U.S. national team with 31 goals in her last 30 matches. Wambach also achieved a double-double in 2004 by adding13 assists to her tally, demonstrating her commitment to team play.

WHEATIES BOX It’s has been twenty years, since ’s smiling face graced the box of Wheaties. The event that captivated a national audience and inspired girls across the country has but one footnote – it was a boycotted Olympics.

Carly Patterson’s Olympic All-Around Gold medal performance has no such footnote. But no mistaking it, there were reminiscent cold war antics played out by athletic foes. This time around, the Russian diva known as was battling head-to-head with Patterson. One might mistake the young sixteen year-old as any other high school student, given her 4’9” frame. But size means nothing as it relates to heart, determination, grit and confidence, all of which Patterson used to reach the ultimate international stage for women’s sports. page 4 Martha Karolyi, U.S. women's team coordinator, compared Carly Patterson to former Olympic stars Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton for USA Gymnastics and said: “She brings that extra touch to competition. Nadia had that quality and Mary Lou had it.”. With her favorite apparatus being the , belief in possibilities seems to dominate Patterson’s thinking. We knew Patterson was an extraordinary athlete when at the 2003 World Championships she ignored what turned out to be fractures on both sides of her elbow and a damaged ligament, which ultimately required several hours of surgery, to continue competing and winning the team and individual All-Around. But her selection as the 2004 REAL SPORTS Athlete of the Year reflects her ability to embrace the pressure of a country focused on Olympic excellence. Patterson embraced the spotlight and delivered when in her sport, it matters WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM ** most. [RS] Photo credit: © 2004 Getty Images, photo by Stuart Hannagan/Staff 4th Annual Most Important Moments in Sports For photo and editorial coverage of every moment, join TEAM REAL SPORTS and receive the special MEMBERS-ONLY printed edition by mail!

#1 Passing of Soccer’s Torch – On December 7, 2004, , and say goodbye to the sport they helped build.

#2 Carly Patterson Wins Olympic All-Around – On the world’s biggest stage, this sixteen year-old delivered when it counted the most. Mia Hamm take a corner in her final U.S. National team game. The U.S. defeated Mexico 5-0 on December 7.

#3 NCAA Women’s Final Four – Event Spectacular – Ratings Bonanza – And oh yeah, UConn three-peated as National Champions. 800-650-0122 ** page 5

** #4 WNBA’s First Commissioner Val Ackerman Retires – As the last pro-league standing from the barrage of leagues started after the 1996 Olympics, Ackerman has a place in history. and Barbara Turner celebrate UConn’s three-peat on April 6.

#5 Swimmers Seek Fame and Fortune – Amanda Beard chooses to pose for FHM, for many a clear distraction from her abilities as an Olympic swimmer. WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM Photo credits Top to bottom © 2004 International Sports Images/ John Todd; Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos #6 The Goods – Maria Sharapova proves blondes with racquets can win it all, Wimbledon, WTA Championships and the respect of the tennis community.

#7 Pure Dominance – USA Softball runs the table with a 9-0 run in Athens by allowing only one run to be scored against them.

© 2004 International Sports Images / Michael Pimentel

800-650-0122 ** page 6 Youth and experience helped the U.S.

** Soccer team outlast Brazil in the Olympic Gold medal match.

#8 U.S. Soccer Wins Gold – U.S. National Soccer team wills itself and outlasts the Brazilians to ensure the ‘91ers go out on top as Olympic Champions.

#9 One of the Boys – Annika Sorenstam’s performance, including winning 10 of 20 tournaments entered, included a repeat invitation to the Skins Game.

#10 Challenges to Title IX Continue – Title IX has allowed female college

WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM sports to thrive, but high school issues continue, including the current Supreme Court review of Roderick Jackson’s case. [RS] Title IX’s Power College Competitions Continue to Thrive

Photos By – Clockwise Matt Brown; Kevin C. Cox; Bryan Terry; Larry French; – Jamie Schwaberow, all © 2004 NCAA Photos.

National Championships – Clockwise Volleyball – Stanford defeats Minnesota 3-0 on Dec. 18; Soccer – Notre Dame defeats UCLA 4-3 on penalty kicks on Dec. 5; Softball – UCLA defeats Cal 3-1 on May 31; Lacrosse – Virginia defeats Princeton 10-4 on May 23; and CENTER: Field Hockey – Wake Forest defeated Duke 3-0 on Nov. 21. Their Commitment, Their Legacy… But Not Their Terms Three 91ers say goodbye, but expectations were different. By Michael Lewis

On a sunny, Sunday afternoon on July Fast forward to an un-southern 10, 1999, some 90,125 fans crammed California-like chilly, Wednesday, into the to witness women’s evening on Dec. 8, 2004 some 25 sports history as two great women's miles south of Pasadena to the Home teams slugged it out during 120 Depot Center in Carson, Calif., where minutes of scoreless soccer that was 15,549 fans in the 27,000-seat capacity ultimately decided by a dramatic stadium watched three living American shootout. soccer legends say goodbye to the beautiful game. Who can forget the image of -- forever immortalized in With veteran defender Joy Fawcett photos and magazine covers -- watching from the sidelines, Mia celebrating her winning penalty kick Hamm and Julie Foudy had their after taking off her jersey before a moments under the moonlight, walking record national TV audience to watch a off the field one last time late in the soccer game. U.S.'s dominating 5-0 victory over Mexico. 800-650-0122 ** page 8 **

REAL SPORTS magazine ran this image in its fall 1999

WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM issue … the sub-head spoke volumes for the expectations. Can anyone remember watching live Hamm walking off the field wearing the jersey with the last name of her husband, Cubs shortstop ?

If you don't, join the club. The game was played at 8 p.m. PST -- that's 11 p.m. in the east -- as most of the country was asleep, and it was shown on ESPN Classic, fourth in the cable network's pecking order. Sure, fans got an opportunity to read about the game on the internet or in their newspaper or watch highlights on TV.

But it was hardly the 800-650-0122 ** page 9

** fitting send off for three women who helped make During the second-half of Hamm’s last game, such an impact on the she had some fun by wearing a jersey special game and women’s to her and Nomar. sports nationally and internationally. won the Olympic gold medal, said it organized the games in only two weeks. The final game The game was the final was sandwiched between two events booked match of a 10-game Fan well in advance -- MLS Cup (Nov. 14) and the Celebration tour, as it NCAA Division I men's College Cup (Dec. 12- was called. U.S. Soccer, 14) at the HDC, U.S. Soccer's training center. contractually obligated to

WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM hold a tour if the U.S. Photo credit: © 2004 International Sports Images / John Todd "We think it is a wonderful way to Remember, the 91ers and their celebrate the conclusion of these comrades were forced to use hand-me- players' careers," U.S. Soccer down uniforms from the men's team in spokesman Jim Moorhouse said. the early years.

Well, that depends on your point of They went on to set a virtually view. unmatchable standard for soccer success with their international honors Hamm, Foudy and Fawcett wouldn't the past 14 years. That included two comment about it on the record. world championships (1991 and 1991) and a pair of disappointing third-place But , co-captain of the finishes (1995 and 2003), plus two 1999 world championship team, did. Olympic gold medals (1996 and 2004) and a silver medal (2000). "I think it's a shame," Overbeck told the Union-Tribune. "These are In other words, the Americans are to players who basically built women's women's soccer as the Brazilians are soccer, not only here but around the to the men's game. world, and they're not doing anything extravagant for their final game. They are expected to win. No excuses, Everything that these women have please. done for soccer, they need to be recognized in something other than 8 While the history is rich and glorious, it o'clock on a Wednesday night. is the future of the women's game in the that concerns "I just think it's unfortunate that the observers that raises the most federation doesn't see the importance questions. of sending them off with style and class. I mean, they've been playing for The return of the Women's Untied 800-650-0122 ** page 10 this team for 17 years. It's ** Soccer Association is at least a year embarrassing.“ away. Former Yahoo! sports director Tonya Antonucci has been appointed What the generation of Hamm and CEO of Women's Soccer Initiative, a company accomplished certainly non-for-profit entity that will direct the wasn't embarrassing. league's relaunch efforts. She will work at a deliberate, but steady pace to Have they left the game in better shape make sure the new league won't fail. than when they began? As the year ended, many signs pointed Without a doubt. to U.S. Soccer giving coach a three-year contract

WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM extension through the 2008 Olympics. Her current deal ends in 2005. "I think we are at a turning point right performance (four goals in five games, now," Fawcett said. "If there is no including the gold-medal game-winner league, decisions need to be made as in extra-time) should have been FIFA far as how much U.S. Soccer wants to player of the year. put into it and continue to make women’s soccer grow. I think that we In fact, Wambach, the runaway winner can continue to be the best with the in U.S. Soccer's voting for women’s players that we have and the youth player of the year (by fans, media and leagues that are out there today. Right U.S. Soccer officials), incredibly did not now it could go either way. I am hoping make the final three on FIFA's list. that they continue to put a lot into it and continue to make it grow. It will be Germany's , Brazil's difficult if there is not a league, but it and Hamm did. needs to be done to keep up with the rest of the world. Marta, is a spectacular 18-year-old who stood out in two international Hamm agreed. "Brazil has set a new events -- the Olympics and the standard for the rest of the world," she Women's Under-19 world added. "Without a league we are going championship (earning MVP honors in to have to lean on the federation a bit that) – who has a nice, long career more. Hopefully we will be talking ahead of her. about a potential league next year or the year after where they do not have Hamm, 32, who was at the dusk of her to bear most of the financial burden. career, obviously received votes on her Right now it’s too critical not to make reputation and career, not for her that type of commitment. They have year's work as any educated observers set the standard for all other could tell she was on her last legs in federations, and that has enabled us to the Olympics. get where we are." 800-650-0122 ** page 11 Prinz, 27, the 2003 winner, earned the ** Even with the great strides made, there award again, although she faltered is still a long way to go internationally. when it really counted on the world Take, for example, the embarrassing stage in the Olympic tournament. After situation that transpired in the 2004 burning China and frightening the rest FIFA women's player of the year of the 10-team tournament field with a balloting by National Team coaches fabulous four-goal performance, Prinz and captains. could only find the net but once in her four final games, which included a 2-1 Many seasoned observers of women’s semifinal loss to the Americans. soccer felt that U.S. striker Abby Wambach, off a magnificent Olympic WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM Regardless, the 24-year-old Wambach Assuming Heinrichs is retained, it will is poised to become the new face of be intriguing to see how well she gets American soccer. In contrast to Hamm, along with returning veterans Chastain, the reluctant superstar, the more who led a revolt against the coach last outgoing Wambach enjoys talking and year (representing the 91ers, she went bantering with the media. to U.S. Soccer president Dr. Bob Contiguglia and asked him to fire More important is her on-the-field Heinrichs; he didn't) and . production. She became only the second player in U.S. history to score Ironically, if Heinrichs doesn't return more than 30 international goals in a and U.S. Soccer hired Santa Clara year (, to whom University women's coach Jerry Smith Wambach is compared, was the first as the new coach, Chastain would with 39 goals in 26 games in 1991), most likely retire because Smith, who finishing with 31 goals in 33 games. is married to Brandi, said he would Her strike rate is the best for any never coach his wife in a serious woman in the world -- active or retired competition. at 83 percent (44 goals in 53 appearances). Akers is the next Lilly, 33, who has a record 289 highest ratio at 68.6 percent, thanks to international appearances and is only 105 goals in 153 appearances (she 11 shy of unprecedented 300 caps, had scored 85 goals in only 94 isn't just hanging on. She played some internationals through 1995 for a 90.4 of her best soccer in the Olympics, rate before ailments slowed her down). motoring up and down the left wing (including deep into extra time in the Prinz is at 64.5. Hamm (world-record semifinals and gold-medal match) 158 goals in 273 games), is at 57.8. while scoring three goals, second only on the team to Wambach. While 2005 would be a perfect time to 800-650-0122 ** page 12 see if some of the youngsters could But there are many questions on ** swim in international waters, especially whether Heinrichs is the answer to since there is no pro league to get in move the young and promising U.S. the way, the federation most likely will team with the likes of Heather O'Reilly, pull back. Lindsay Tarpley and up to the next level, especially after With the next major tournament a good Brazil's brilliant silver medal two years away, the American women performance in Greece. were expected to have a light schedule this year with a probable January camp Heinrichs' critics question her tactical and in Portugal in March knowledge of the game. Instead of with some international friendlies taking advantage of the players’ skills,

WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM sprinkled in. she has them use their athleticism to play a more physical game, which times dribbling circles around the might not be good enough at the 2007 Americans, who had several veterans Women's World Cup or the 2008 hanging on for dear life in the waning Summer Olympics. Both events are in minutes before Wambach's 11th-hour China. heroics.

One player unlikely to be back is the The difference was the U.S.'s grit, talented and crafty . fortitude and ability to know how to win, Stuck on 99 international goals, thanks to the presence of Hamm, Milbrett has refused to play unless Foudy and Fawcett. That's not to say there is a new coach. the Americans can't win without them. It will be far more difficult not only In an e-mail to this writer, Milbrett said against Brazil, but the rest of the world she saw "myself for sure returning to as well. the National Team if there is a change of coach and if those changes are Once the talent-laden Brazilians figure going to be right for me. My decision to out how to get over the hump, they leave the team was never because I could be difficult to stop. didn't want to play soccer. I can't wait to be able to play again. That will be just one of the U.S. team's great challenges over the next decade "I don't know why all this emphasis is – striving to be creative to keep ahead placed on the coach as being the one of everyone else or else. who takes them to the gold. A coach – [RS] can be in charge of a team that wins gold but, it's also the coach that can Michael Lewis, who covers soccer for the make the players unhappy and in that New York Daily News, has followed the U.S. situation you have to seriously Women's National Team since 1991 and evaluate that." covered the 1999 and 2003 Women's World Cups and the team at the 1996, 2000 and 800-650-0122 ** page 13 2004 Summer Olympics. He can be reached ** We likely saw a glimpse of the future in at [email protected]. Athens. In the gold medal match, the Brazilians were the better team, at

Past REAL SPORTS Covers Featuring the ’91ers WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM Future for the Fab Three So, what's in store for the Terrific In their own words Three of the Fab Five -- Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett -- now that they have hung up their competitive soccer boots for good? After stumping for John Kerry last fall, someone mentioned a potential political career for Foudy, who laughed it off. Still, Foudy will remain competitive, no matter what path she pursues.

“It really is an interesting transition,” “I haven’t been able to be as involved she said. “I go out for a jog, and all of as I would like to be so I can obviously my life I have thought I can’t wait to commit more to that,” she said. “I have just go out for a jog instead of having to to see what is out there, and not push myself, and I find myself pushing commit to everything at the beginning. I myself. I look forward to channeling hope my golf game improves, I have that competitiveness into other family who I haven’t been able to passions. spend a lot of time with, and obviously “I have done a lot of work with the my husband. . . . It’s nothing but Women’s Sports Foundation and other exciting, and I am just looking forward advocacy issues, so I will continue to to it.” (do) that and some not-for-profit work Fawcett, who is recovering from back and hopefully someday have a real job surgery, is considering opening up a where I can bring this competitiveness. pizzeria with good friend and former 800-650-0122 ** page 14 I will continue to support the game and

** National Team teammate Shannon do camps and all that kind of stuff. MacMillan. Fawcett, who coached the There are a lot of areas where that will women's team at UCLA before she come in handy.” started a family, is also contemplating a return to that someday. Hamm plans to move to Chicago to be with her husband and delve into the “Just watching my daughter play, it’s Mia Hamm Foundation, which raises been hard with my back right now not funds and awareness for bone marrow being able to help her team out and transplant patients (her brother Garrett wanting too,” she said. “I am sure I will died of bone marrow disease in 1997) get back into it eventually, but not for a and continues the growth in little while. I am going to put my extra opportunities for young women in energy into my family right now and WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM sports. see what comes next.” [RS] Photo credit: © 2004 International Sports Images / John Todd Compiled by Michael Lewis. WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM ** 800-650-0122 ** page 15 Antonucci's biggestchallenge? an opportunityfor made somehugemist out thereforale but Istillthinkthat that Americarespond great lessonslearned. Foudy said.“There’s form bright sidetoeven “I amanoptimistand of corporatesponsorships. million afterthreey operations, claiming World Cup,theWU On theeveof2003Wom when ithasto is notdrivenby make thishappenin investors andspons som relaunch ofthe sustainable businessmodelforthe Her goalis“to as towhentheleaguewillreturn. hasn't setanytarge will directtherel Initiative, Inc.,anot- Antonucci will bearoundforyears. Soccer Associ challenge: RevivetheWomen'sUnited Tonya Antonucci Players pushforreturnofwomen’sprosoccer Creating aRevival e er U.S.nationalteam thing thatwoul , CEOofWomen’sSoccer belaunched.” ati create along-term league andcreate artificial deadlines aunch oftheWUSA, ague. Weclearly o faces onehuge n and another goaround.” losingaleague,” there isafanbase ears andhadalack SA suspended t dates,say2006, ors togetherto d bringinterested for-profit entitythat threeyearsof it hadlost$16 a timeframethat Ithinkthereisa s tobigevents, akes, butthereis . Iunderstand m pl a ke sureit ayer Juli e n's e league, you' “If youstartoutt the future. successful asamajo us inapositionto is the bigissuesin she asked.“Overspendingwasoneof “How todoy keep interestin Blaine, Mi Last yeartheWUSA that m demographic thatwe com in amarket.Wearealsolookingat components isinvest successf set listofcriteria some researchandstudiesagainsta actual “It’s pre-maturetosa which citieswouldreturn. Washington. Antonu Philadel , NewYork,Raleigh, The WUSAhadfranch of thatandcoul ready forhowlong todoitinaway p eti citi a rket exist?” t p i u o hi es andm nn. andC l ci n i a, SanDiego,Joseand d have n ou cut ty/m thatmarket.D d yo By MichaelLewis the leaguealive. he gateasaminor of whatwillmakea arket growandtobe

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er in ed e as e WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM ** 800-650-0122 ** page 20 it meantthecollapseofthree allowed todispense who didn'twantsisteroperationswere business modelc Several yearsago,theWN future ofourleague.” remarked, “Thisbodeswellforthe freshmen helpsl hall offamer,gaw general managerCarolBlazejowski,a Just thisweek,New mine forteamsacrosstheboard. that continued tomakeim tal became competitiv after severalseasons,moreteams best ofitstalent The collapseoftheABLbrought and keeptheleaguemovingforward. Ackerman showedth off amongtheman But asthenovelty in theABL,needno Connecticut, whichhadapopularteam Of course,thephil front ofsellout Cynthia Cooperlead Swoopes, TinaThompson,and first fourleaguecrow helm, theComets franchise. Butwith e nt l a f st rom t year'sseniorcl h e coll crowds, regularly. into theWN ay Tennesseeand hanged. NBAteams wentontowinthe ked asRutgers' osophy meantthat egiat of theWNBAwore e. Furthermore,the in thestreet, Chancellor atthe t comecalling. of them ing thewayin York Li ns withSheryl e abilitytoadopt pacts tothepoint e ass wasagol cl asses BA SPORTS Apparel berty . Although B Get YourREAL A and online d

extended thefavored advanced totheov season, amuchyoungerroster the EasternFinals as theConnecticut with theUniversity moved N The formerOrlando at itsvastcasinocomplex. awarded ateaminCo time, theMoheganIndianTribewas In amoveseemedco non-NBA cities W franchises overa W into realities,then As longasthosedrea before theyareteenagers.” who candreamofbeingintheWN As shenoted,“Nowwehavelittl in manyaspectsoftheWNBA'svision. growing, andkeepth add sponsorships,k The chall So thisiswhere games. Sellout crowdswereatallthree Seattl N N BA decidedtoopenupactivity BA w e Stormtothel o i e ll benightmare-free. rth andeven nge forher andownerships. Ackerman departs. thefutureof two-year period,the in2003.This of Connecticutfans erall finalsand Sun advancedto eep thefanbase Miracle franchise e pl a successoristo ntroversial atthe ms canbeturned nnecticut toplay st game. tually caughton ayers involved [RS] e gi BA rl s WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM ** 800-650-0122 ** page 21 contender. upon togrow theSt been one oftheke former Connecticut sensationwhohad was reservepoint One memberoft Olympic tri States inquestof Chancellor helping sidelines asanassistanttoVan in herownri ,aform The WNBA'sSeattl for theirrespectivenations. one steplefttoobta that AugustnightinAthens,Greece, far away,theystood A shorttimeagoin Olympic Foes– Title Storms u m ght, p h. wasnowonthe he Americansquad athirdstraight guard SueBird,the ys Donovan relied anancientnation e Storm to steertheUnited orm intoa WN in goldandglory onopposingsides er Olympicstar P coach rofessional Mates B A

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WWW.REALSPORTSMAG.COM ** 800-650-0122 ** page 23 collegiate gam Ten years ago,thetwoignited the State. the H night. TheVolslost atRutgersand both teamslostbad what happenedinla That alsohasloosenedbasedon collegiate gam and Tennesseehas But whataboutthe history books. first tim which di two-team domi more balancedand victory showedt species nowwithaWNBAtitle,the Shock, another When SeattlefollowedtheDetroit 2005. moment astheca Which bri just spread amongthem more tal dreamers meanmoretalent,and dream ofaprocareer.More has enabledschool-agegirlsto No questi year withthe to becometheWN her careertriumphan fifth overallasDianaTaurasifinished with athird-straig did againoverarch-rivalTennessee Winning issomethingtheHuskies CHANGING OFTHEGUARD COLLEGE’S INFLUENCE– afew u ski e e dn't m , andLosAngel nt m es lostathom n schools. o gs ustoatantalizi n, theWNBA'ssurvival . e a e e nati ans thew ke thepl withtheir first ? former endangered hat theleagueis ht NCAAtitleand lendar spinsto on ofHouston, BA rookieofthe grip Connecticut ly the daysof te Decemberas had overthe any insteadof tly. Shewenton onthes e ayoffs forthe es arei eal toMichi th canbe n a g me n the gan

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