Congrats to Cooper and Prairie View
In case you haven't seen or heard, the Prairie View A&M Lady Panthers defeated the Jackson State Lady Tigers, 68 to 62, in Birmingham, Alabama, to win the 2007 Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. Winning the SWAC Tourney title, qualifies Prairie View A&M for the 2007 Women's NCAA Tournament Championship.
Prairie View advances to Women's "Big Dance" for the first time EVER!!!
The Panthers are coached by Cynthia Cooper, women's basketball icon. Cooper is only in her second season as head coach of the PV program.
A few years ago, Cooper and I sat baseline (at one of the media tables) at the Houston Rockets' home games discussing everything under the sun; and, one of the things I asked her was if she would consider coaching on the collegiate level. She asked me which school(s) I had in mine. The first school I mentioned was Texas Southern University. She told me she would be interested in the job. Long story short, TSU turned Coop down.
Next, I asked Coop if she'd consider coaching at Prairie View. She wanted to know if the people at PV were serious about women's basketball and winning. I told her "yes". She said, "If they're interested in talking with me, let them know I'm interested."
The two sides talked; negotiated; and Coop was hired as the head coach.
Two years later, Coop has guided Prairie View to a 19 and 13 overall record; a tie for the SWAC regular season title; a SWAC Tournament title; and a trip to the "Big Dance".
Wouldn't it be something if Prairie View's first round game was in Austin, TX, on March 17?
Congratulations to Coach Cooper, her players, the PV alums, students, and the program!
Prairie View advances to Women's "Big Dance" for the first time EVER!!!
The Panthers are coached by Cynthia Cooper, women's basketball icon. Cooper is only in her second season as head coach of the PV program.
A few years ago, Cooper and I sat baseline (at one of the media tables) at the Houston Rockets' home games discussing everything under the sun; and, one of the things I asked her was if she would consider coaching on the collegiate level. She asked me which school(s) I had in mine. The first school I mentioned was Texas Southern University. She told me she would be interested in the job. Long story short, TSU turned Coop down.
Next, I asked Coop if she'd consider coaching at Prairie View. She wanted to know if the people at PV were serious about women's basketball and winning. I told her "yes". She said, "If they're interested in talking with me, let them know I'm interested."
The two sides talked; negotiated; and Coop was hired as the head coach.
Two years later, Coop has guided Prairie View to a 19 and 13 overall record; a tie for the SWAC regular season title; a SWAC Tournament title; and a trip to the "Big Dance".
Wouldn't it be something if Prairie View's first round game was in Austin, TX, on March 17?
Congratulations to Coach Cooper, her players, the PV alums, students, and the program!
posted by Kris Gardner @ 6:10 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home