Temple University Athletics
DAWN STALEY, THIS IS YOUR LIFE
8.13.06 | Women's Basketball
HOUSTON, TX.- Playing in her final WNBA regular season game, Dawn Staley took care of business first and celebrated later. The Houston Comets' 89-72 win over the Seattle Storm gave Houston its playoff berth that the team has been searching for in its last three outings. Staley contributed a game-high seven assists to the winning effort. That, however, was just the beginning of the show. Staley, neverwanting to be the center of attention, was asked to star in a special version of "This Is Your Life," as the WNBA and the Comets paid homage to the point guard's 21-year playing career.
Representatives from each chapter of Staley's career presented their old friend a framed jersey of their respective teams. First up was Sheryl Swoopes with a Comets' jersey. Then came Tracy Reid, formerly of the Charlotte Sting, followed by Anne Donavan who will coach alongside Staley in the FIBA World Championships next month. Teresa Edwards represented the Philadelphia Rage and University of Colorado coach Kathy McConnell Miller and Heidi Burge-Horton offered the jersey from the University of Virginia, where Staley led the Cavaliers to three straight NCAA Women's Final Fours in the early 1990s. Staley's former Dobbins Tech teammate, Sheila Hargraves, who is a policewoman back home, rounded out the collection with the high school jersey.
"Actually, I was hoping they'd give me a house or an RV," Staley laughed. "For me, I'm a pretty calm person when it comes to that," she said of her emotions attached to the ceremony. "But just to see my history unfold in front of me, it's really a beautiful thing. Sometimes as a player, you don't reflect. I had an opportunity to reflect on just different eras of my life -- really enjoyable ones.
"I had a lot of wins, but more important, it's the people I identify with and makes the moment special."
WNBA president Donna Orender made a brief presentation before the game and ABC ran a retrospective tribute at halftime that also included quotes from players throughout the league.
Staley's family was represented by her mother Estelle, her brothers Eric and Lawrence, and her sister Tracey and several nieces and nephews.
Temple assistant coaches Lisa Boyer and Darius Taylor, and former Owl stars Natalia Isaac, Ari Moore and Cynthia Jordan also made the trip.
Nike, which has been Staley's lead endorser, had representatives and hosted a postgame party in the fan lounge. Executives from her Dawn Staley Foundation also made the trip from Philadelphia.
Besides, Orender, the WNBA group included Renee Brown, who was an assistant coach on the 1996 Olympic gold medalist and Carla McGhee, a former Temple assistant and a past Olympic teammate.
Former 76ers coach John Lucas, with whom Staley trained in Philadelphia, was also among the well-wishers.
There was also a surprise party Saturday night at former NBA Houston Rockets star Clyde Drexler's restaurant where one of Houston's councilwomen presented Staley with a declaration that stated August 12, 2006 will now be known as "Dawn Staley Day" in Houston, Texas.
Staley will look to prolong her career when the Comets face off against the Sacramento Monarchs in the first round of the WNBA playoffs on Thursday, August 17th at 9 p.m.
Photos Courtesy of Bill Baptist NBAE/Getty Images
