My rookie season in the WNBA for the Orlando Miracle, I was very fortunate to be teammates with Carla McGhee or “Big Red” as we called her. Carla was a true veteran with many years of experience. She stood out because of her positive attitude, great sense of humor and her ability to take a young player like me under her wing and make me feel comfortable and give me encouragement. But Carla is inspiring beyond even that. She is on of the pioneers of women’s professional basketball in the U.S. She was one of the founding players in the ABL, an Olympic Gold Medalist and National Champion at U of Tennessee. But even beyond that Carla inspires me by what she’s overcome throughout her career. She suffered many injuries in a terrible accident and came back to play in the Olympics and professionally. She is a mother of a beautiful son and runs a foundation in his name. After basketball, she continues to make waves and give back to the game as a college coach, broadcasting and now as the Director of Player Personnel. Carla inspires me through what she’s achieved, overcome and most importantly because of whom she is

I remember the young days of Brooke Wyckoff in Orlando...

Edited by bullsky - 11May2007 at 11:35pm

  It is so nice when we think about what women sports have given back to us.  Yes, it is cool to go to a game and see the game progress into a professional league, turn a dollar (maybe break out of the red), watch younger generations run to the players for autographs...but what is best (to me) is to hear about bonds that wyckoff just explained.