WNBA: Windy City Gearing Up To Blow Strong
Photo Credit: Chicago Sky
Contains Exclusive Comments from Schuman, Brooke Wyckoff and Nancy Lieberman
Eleven years ago, talk started of breaking barriers and forming a new professional sports league. Now, after nine strong seasons, the league know as the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA) welcomes another new franchise bringing the total number of teams to 14.
The Chicago Sky will tip-off their inaugural season on the road May 20, 2006, against Muggsy Bogues and the Charlotte Sting. One person that Sky fans will be looking to for a big season is 4th year, WNBA Veteran Stacey Dales-Schuman who will be one of the Sky?s leaders on and off the court, ?I really need to be a leader. I need to score points, be vocal, and do anything our coaches ask and relay it to teammates. I will also be playing Point Guard and Shooting Guard. The main thing though is just to have fun,? said Dales-Schuman about her responsibilities.
Due to her leadership abilities on and off the court, others around the basketball community hold her in a high standing, ?Stacey is great on and off the court. I remember seeing her play in a game at UNC, she truly is the whole package as a player and a person,? said Hall of Fame member and ESPN Analyst Nancy Lieberman. Sky teammates also are looking forward to playing along side her, ?She brings intensity, a hard work ethic, hunger, and determination to win. She is also very skilled and fun to watch and brings great shooting skills,? said Brooke Wyckoff about Dales-Schuman.
She will also be returning to the WNBA after taking last season off, ?I?ve done lots of independent training including pickup games. I also work with Steve Key one of our coaches 4 times a week for 1 ? hours each session on weights and cardio. Anytime I?m in Chicago I?m playing basketball,? said Dales-Schuman about how her preparation this off-season.
Professional sports teams are only as good as the members of the franchise and the Sky have set themselves up for success with how the management is built. ?This franchise will be a very fun but professional group. I knew when I flew in to have dinner with our management team that this would be a great franchise to be part of,? said Dales-Schuman.
Along with Schuman, the Sky will be counting on a number of others including former Connecticut Sun Brooke Wyckoff, ?We actually played a pickup game against some guys and she didn?t miss a shot. The guys were complaining about finding someone to guard against her. I?m surprised Connecticut left her unprotected. Brooke has an excellent court sense and her team oriented style of play is a huge asset,? said Dales-Schuman about what Wyckoff brings to the Sky.
When expansion teams are formed, fans are always thinking about what to expect, ?We will be a hard working team and fun team to watch. In the WNBA, even having the most talented players like a Detroit doesn?t guarantee anything, they didn?t make the playoffs last season,? said Wyckoff. ?For us to win games. If you play the game with 5 people as a team you will win games,? said Dales-Schuman.
At the end of the WNBA season, a lot of players will be thinking about representing their respective countries at the upcoming games in Beijing, ?I?ve talked with the coach and I would love to play. There is no greater feeling then representing your country,? said Dales-Schuman about playing for Team Canada.
If one looks at each player in a professional sport you will find many different reasons why they have decided to be a professional athlete. For some it is the money, for some it is the fame and for some it is a more personal reason. ?I am able to be an influence on young guys and girls. I never got to see Nancy Lieberman and women like her play the game. I always had male role models, and now young girls have women like us in the WNBA that they can look up to,? said Dales-Schuman.
Chicago fans are going to see a team when May comes around that will have tons of heart, energy, and a great work ethic behind players such as Stacey Dales-Schuman and Brooke Wyckoff. Team expectations are high with such a great core of players and fans in the Chicago area will be in for a treat this coming WNBA season.
Side Notes
10 is Dales-Schuman?s mentor (Inside joke)
Sky members will be working with a mentor program for young women called the Wise Women?s Network.
Official Site: Chicago Sky