HONORS & AWARDS In Memory MATTHEW SCHMAUCH AWARD RECIPIENTS 2003-04 .......... Lauren Bradley 2004-05 ...... Linnea Liljestrand 2005-06 ......... LaQuinta Neely Matthew Schmauch, an Assistant Director of Academic Support who worked with the women’s basketball program for four seasons, was instrumental in the academic success of FSU student-athletes. His influence went beyond the classroom. He was an ambassador, a mentor, a friend, a big brother, a fan — truly a shining example of where hard work and determination can take you. This award, established in his memory, is given annually to the women’s basketball player who exemplifies these characteristics of leadership. he Florida State Athletics Department lost a dear member of its Seminole family on June 13, 2003. Matt Schmauch, T29, an Assistant Director for the Athletic Academic Sup- port Program at Florida State, died from anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction to nuts while representing FSU at the N4A con- vention in St. Louis, Mo. A native of Allen Park, Mich., Schmauch had been a valu- able member of the athletic academic support staff since 1996. A glowing role model in the classroom, Schmauch earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Florida State in 1995 and went on to re- ceive a master’s degree in athletic administration from FSU in Brien Schmauch and 1996. LaQuinta Neely In 2003-04, the Florida State women’s basketball program cre- ated a special award in honor of Schmauch. Director of Academic Brien Schmauch, Support Mark Meleney, Linnea Liljestrand and Lauren Bradley and Janis Schmauch Brien Schmauch 116 2006-2007 Women’s Basketball RONALDA PIERCE In Memory AWARD RECIPIENTS 2004-05 ......... LaQuinta Neely 2005-06 .... Ganiyat Adeduntan Daughter, Sister, Classmate, Teammate, Role Model, Friend, Seminole. Ronalda Pierce meant so much to so many people. Although with us a short time, Ronalda’s memory will forever be etched in the hearts of the Seminole family. Ronalda repre- sented courage, heart, determination, growth and joy. It was these characteristics that allowed her to blossom into the person that was cher-ished by all who knew her. The recipient of this award exemplifies these same qualities of perseverance and heart. n June 8, 2004, the Florida State women’s basketball pro- gram lost a special member of its family with the sudden Odeath of Ronalda Pierce, a 6-5 post player from Ashburn, Ga. In 2004-05, the players wore #55 on their shoes in her honor. The Seminoles paid tribute to Ronalda by celebrating the time, although too short, that they had with her. In 2005, an award was established in her memory. Ganiyat Adeduntan and the Pierce family at the 2006 Women’s Basketball Awards Banquet LaQuinta Neely and the Pierce family at the 2005 Women’s Basketball Awards Banquet While Ronalda Pierce remains on the minds and in the hearts of those associated with Florida State women’s basketball, the 2006-07 season will have even greater meaning as it would have represented Ronalda’s senior season. Members of her recruiting class, Nikki Anthony, Shante Williams and Alicia Gladden, proudly hold up their hands signifying the No. 55, Ronalda’s jersey number. Florida State University 117 HONORS & AWARDS Hall of Fame he Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame enjoys a rich tra- dition. Florida State is fortunate to enjoy an athletics pro- Tgram that reflects the integrity achieved by an academic institution with over 150 years of success. There are 208 members of the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame. The first and largest class was inducted in 1977 and there has been a class inducted every fall since with the exception of 1996 when Florida State spent the year celebrating its 50th Anniversary of athletics. Three former women’s basketball greats, Sue Galkantas, Tia Paschal and Wanda Burns-Jackson, are members of the Florida State Athletics Hall of Fame. SUE GALKANTAS Florida State may never forget the scoring power of Sue Galkantas, who with an amazing 2,323 career points, is the most prolific scorer in Seminole basketball his- tory. That total is the most points ever scored by a player, male or female — in Florida State history. By the time Galkantas graduated in 1984, her name was listed in nearly every statistical category in the FSU records book. Sue Galkantas Averaging 19.4 points per game in her ca- Hall of Fame 1989 reer — a mark that still ranks number one on the career lists — was just a glimpse of the impact that she had as a Seminole. In her rookie year, she broke the FSU freshman scoring record and was named a freshman All-American in numerous publi- cations. By her sophomore year, Galkantas had already scored her 1,000th point and established herself as one of the top 20 scorers in the nation. In her junior season, she led FSU to a 24-6 record and to its first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Overall, she scored in double figures in 115 of 120 games and TIA PASCHAL still holds six career and single-season records. In 1989, Galkantas The Florida State women’s basketball also became the first female FSU athlete to have her number retired. program enjoyed its greatest success dur- ing the four-year career of Tia Paschal, who lettered for the Seminoles from 1989 to 1993. A forward from Thomson, Ga., Pas- chal was an immediate contributor for Florida State and was a three-year starter after averaging 20 minutes of play as a rookie. She ended her career averaging Tia Paschal Hall of Fame 1999 19.4 points and 7.4 rebounds as a senior while earning first team All-ACC honors and second team All-America honors by the American Women’s Sports Federation. During her career, she helped lead the Semi- noles to two consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 1989- 90 and 1990-91 as well as a Metro Conference championship in the 1990-91 season. Paschal’s versatility made her a weapon in every facet of the game which is evident by the records she still holds at Florida State. She holds the records free throws made (14) in a game and steals in a career (269). Paschal is also among FSU’s top 10 in five season and six career records and ranks second all-time in scoring with 1,662 points. Honors came in abundance for Paschal throughout her ca- reer. After redshirting the 1988-89 season with a knee injury, Paschal took the conference by storm as a freshman, earning Metro Conference All-Rookie Team honors. She earned Metro All-Tour- nament Team honors two seasons and was twice named the con- ference Player of the Week. Paschal continued playing the game that she loves profes- sionally. Since her graduation in criminology in 1993, Paschal’s professional overseas experience has included stops in Germany, Sweden and Spain. She also played one season with the Charlotte Sting of the WNBA. 118 2006-2007 Women’s Basketball WANDA BURNS record and to the NCAA Tournament. Burns set an FSU record Wanda Burns overcame adversity to for free throw percentage and led the team in scoring, three point- become a successful women’s basketball ers and steals. player at Florida State. One of Marynell In 1990-91, her final season, Burns was named Metro Con- Meadors first recruits, Burns was a highly- ference Player of the Week, set a single game record with 10 steals touted 5-8 guard out of Macon, Georgia. in a game and led the team in three-point shooting. FSU enjoyed Though she carried a 3.0 GPA in high one of its most successful seasons with a record of 25-7. Burns led school, her SAT scores were below the re- the Metro Conference in scoring at 18.5 points per game and scored quired score to meet the new NCAA Prop double figures in 38 consecutive games. She was named Metro 48 rule and she had to sit out her fresh- Conference Tournament MVP and Player of the Year and also man season. Burns used the year to hit earned Hanes Her Way NCAA Woman of the Year and Second Wanda Burns the books and get acclimated to campus Team All-American honors. Hall of Fame 2006 life. Burns still ranks among FSU’s top 10 in four career and 11 She hit the court in 1988-89 with something to prove. She single-season statistical categories. averaged 11 points a game and led the team with 92 assists, help- ing FSU to its first winning season since 1983. She electrified the team in 1989-90 and sparked FSU to a 21-9 IN GOOD COMPANY... Hall of Fame Class of 1989 Winfred Bailey • Charles Durbin Sue Galkantas • Randy Givens • Reggie Herring Paul Piurowski • Dick Roberts • Jeff Sluman Hall of Fame Class of 1999 Fred Hatfield • Tia Paschal • Dr. Gregg Phifer Joey Rive • Charlie Ward • Casey Weldon Allen Williams Hall of Fame Class of 2006 Wanda Burns • Rhett Dawson Jonathan Johnson • Herb Wills • Skip Young Billy Smith Dave Hart, Jr. and Tia Paschal Florida State University 119 HONORS & AWARDS SUE GALKANTAS: Retired Number 43 y the time Sue Galkantas graduated from Florida State in 1984, her name was atop almost every individual statisti- Bcal category in the Florida State records book. Galkantas was one of the most prolific scorers ever to play for Florida State, averaging 19.4 points per game in her career — a mark that still ranks number one on the FSU career lists. She scored an unbe- lievable 2,323 points over her four-year career (1980-84). That total is the most points ever scored by a basketball player — male or female — in Florida State history.