April 2, 2009

Weatherspoon Bio

Press Conference Audio

RUSTON -- Louisiana Tech Athletic Director Derek Dooley made it official Thursday when he named Teresa Weatherspoon the head coach of the Lady Techster basketball program during a press conference at the Charles Wyly Athletic Center.

Weatherspoon took over the program as interim head coach on Feb. 9 and after leading Louisiana Tech to a 9-2 mark down the stretch, the 2009 Western Athletic Conference regular season title and a postseason appearance, it was widely believed that she had earned the opportunity.

On Thursday, that belief was made a reality as Tech officials removed the interim tag from Weatherspoon's title.

"As a former Lady Techster and a future Hall of Famer, Teresa has a tremendous passion for the game of basketball and for Louisiana Tech," Dooley said. "After watching her lead the Lady Techsters during the latter part of this season, it was clear that she is as passionate and as gifted a coach as she was a player."

One of the legendary players in the storied history of the Lady Techster program, Weatherspoon led the Lady Techsters to a 9-2 mark over the final 11 games of this season, including an unblemished mark in her first eight games in which LA Tech went from fifth to first in the WAC standings.

The eight-game winning streak was the longest by a LA Tech team since the 2005-06 season, when the Lady Techsters won 15 straight games before falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

And although the winning streak was eventually snapped by a 91-88 overtime loss to Nevada in the semifinals of the 2009 WAC Tournament, Tech still earned a postseason berth in the WNIT where it dismantled Conference USA champion SMU before falling to Illinois State in the second round.

"This is an unbelievable honor," Weatherspoon said. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would have the opportunity to play in such a historic place and then come back and be the head coach.

"I feel like I've come full circle; this is where my development as a player really started years ago and now I get the opportunity to share my experiences with these ladies. I'm extremely honored and grateful to the administration for having confidence in me to get the job done."

The combination of Weatherspoon's success on the sideline, legendary status as a player in the Columbia blue uniform in the 1980s, and reputation as one of the WNBA's all-time greatest players, made the decision an easy one for Tech administrators.

"I am absolutely delighted that Teresa Weatherspoon has accepted this position," said Reneau. "She is a true Techster, a loyal alumn and a superb coach."

Weatherspoon was hired as the associate head coach at Louisiana Tech last April after spending eight seasons as a player in the WNBA -- seven with the New York Liberty and one with the Los Angeles Sparks.

During her time in the league, Weatherspoon started 220 straight games and led the Liberty to three WNBA championship appearances in 1997, 1999 and 2000. She was a four-time WNBA All-Star, a four-time all-WNBA second teamer and a two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year.

She still ranks No. 3 in career assists (1,338) and No. 8 in career steals (465) in the history of the WNBA.

Her professional playing experience started in 1988 when she went overseas to play. Weatherspoon spent six years in Italy -- where she was named a six-time all-star -- and two years in Russia.

And as impressive as her professional playing resume is, it doesn't hold a candle to the one she built as a player at Louisiana Tech from 1984-88.

After signing with the Lady Techsters out of West Sabine High School in Pineland, Texas, Weatherspoon started four straight years at LA Tech where she led the program to a mark of 118-14.

On her way to being named Kodak All-American in 1987 and 1988 and earning the Wade Trophy in 1988 as the nation's top player, Weatherspoon led the Lady Techsters to four NCAA Tournaments, two Final Fours (1987, 1988) and the 1988 National Championship title.

A member of the 1,000-point club (1,087) at LA Tech, she still ranks No. 1 in career assists (958) and career steals (411).

"Something people don't realize, but Karl Malone helped recruit me to Louisiana Tech as a player," Weatherspoon said. "He's like a big brother to me. He took care of me in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He helped teach me what it was like to be a professional basketball player in the United States.

"We followed one another to Los Angeles our last year's in the league. We both wore #11; I like to say he was representing me. He spoke to me about returning to Louisiana Tech last year. The Mailman delivered again -- here I am. I appreciate him."

Weatherspoon also earned distinction in USA Basketball circles, leading the US to the gold medal in the 1988 Olympics and the bronze medal in the 1992 Olympics. She also earned gold medals in the 1986 World Championships, the 1986 Goodwill Games and the 1987 World University Games.

Collegiate Playing Experience/Achievements

• Lettered at Louisiana Tech (1984-88)

• Signed with the Lady Techsters out of West Sabine High School (Pineland, Texas)

• Started 131 of 132 games in her Lady Techster career

• Led LA Tech to a mark of 118-14 during her career

• Led LA Tech to four NCAA Tournaments and two Final Fours

• Led LA Tech to two national championship games (1987, 1988)

• Led LA Tech to the 1988 NCAA title with a 56-54 come-from-behind win over Auburn.

• 2-time Kodak All-American (1987, 1988)

• Wade Trophy winner (1988)

• All-Final Four Team (1987, 1988)

• All-Region Tournament Team (1987, 1988)

• Region Most Outstanding Player (1988)

• America South Conference Player of the Year (1988)

• Louisiana Sports Writers Association State POY (1988)

• Broderick Cup Winner (1988)

• Named to the NCAA Women's Basketball Team of the Decade (1980s)

• No. 11 jersey is retired

• Ranks No. 1 in Tech history in assists (958) and steals (411)

• Career highs of 22 points, 17 assists (vs. UL-Monroe, 1984-85) and 10 steals (vs. UCLA, 1985-86)

• Member of the 1,000-point Club (ranks 33rd with 1,087 points)

US National Team Playing Experience/Achievements

• Led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1988 Olympic Games

• Led Team USA to the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympic Games

• Led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1986 World Championships

• Led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1986 Goodwill Games

• Led Team USA to the gold medal at the 1987 World University Games

International Playing Experience/Achievements

• Played eight years overseas (1988-1996), including six years in Italy and two years in Russia.

• Played for Bustoarsizio for four years, Magenta for one year and Como for one year in Italy.

• Played for the CSKA (Central Sports Club of Army) for two years in Russia.

• Was a six-time all-star in Italian League.

• Led CSKA to the Russian title both years.

• Played in the European Cup for the last three years overseas.

WNBA Playing Experience/Achievements

• Signed by the WNBA and assigned to the New York Liberty, January 22, 1997.

• Played for the New York Liberty in the WNBA for seven years and the Los Angeles Sparks one season.

• Started 220 straight games during her first seven years in the WNBA.

• Became the first player in WNBA history to record 1,000 assists versus Detroit on June 5, 2002 and was the first player with 1,000 points and 1,000 assists.

• 4-time WNBA All-Star (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)

• 4-time All-WNBA second team (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000)

• 2-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (1997, 1998)

• Led the New York Liberty to the WNBA Championships in 1997, 1999 and 2000.

• Ranks No. 3 all-time in assists (1,338) and No. 8 in steals (465) in WNBA history

• Participated in the 1998 WNBA Brazil Tour

• Was a member of the 1997 WNBA Touring Team, which played exhibition games in Germany and Italy

Professional Coaching Experience

• Coached the Westchester Phantoms of the America Basketball Association (2008)

Collegiate Coaching Experience

• Named associate head coach at Louisiana Tech in April, 2008

• Named interim head coach at Louisiana Tech on February 9, 2009

• Led LA Tech to a 9-2 mark over the final 11 games of the season

• Led LA Tech to the 2009 Western Athletic Conference regular season title.

• Led LA Tech to an appearance in the WNIT, including a first round win over SMU (77-54).

Personal

• Was named a recipient of "The Best of New York Award" by New York magazine for making New York City "special"

• Was on the New York Daily News float during the 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

• Wears No. 11 in memory of her favorite uncle who passed away when she was 11 years old

• Has two brothers, Charles Jr. and Michael, who played football at Prairie View A&M, and three sisters, Diana, Carolyn, and Denise

• Father, Charles Sr., played minor league baseball for the Minnesota Twins

• Mother Rowena was an undefeated champion drum majorette in Roanoke, Va.,

• Worked two summers with Harlem Globetrotter Coach Hubert "Geese" Ausbie and his anti-drug crusade

• Loves to work with children and worked closely with the Women's Sports Foundation