Dec. 7, 2010

RUSTON - Teresa Weatherspoon will get into the Christmas spirit a little early this year as the Lady Techster head coach will serve as the Grand Marshall at the 2010 Ruston Jaycees Christmas Parade this Friday at 6 p.m.

Weatherspoon said that she is looking forward to the opportunity to serve in the capacity as thousands of area residents will line the streets in downtown Ruston Friday evening to see bands, spirit groups and decorated floats during the event.

"I'm ready," Weatherspoon said. "I'm so ready and excited about the opportunity to be the Grand Marshall; just being asked was big for me. I'm going to have fun. I'm not running out of candy. If I do, it's because I got excited and threw it to one kid."

The former two-time Kodak All-American is an icon in the Ruston community after leading the Lady Techsters to the 1988 National Championship title. Following her highly-decorated collegiate career which included being named the Wade Trophy winner as the nation's top player as a senior, Weatherspoon led Team USA to the Olympic Gold medal that summer.

Following a very successful WNBA career that included seven years with the New York Liberty and one with the Los Angeles Sparks, Weatherspoon returned to Louisiana Tech in 2007 to serve as the associate head coach for the Lady Techsters.

She was promoted to head coach in February of 2008 and has recorded a 35-14 mark while leading the Lady Techsters to the 2009 WAC regular season title and the 2010 WAC Tournament title. Weatherspoon and the Lady Techsters earned the program's 26th appearance in the NCAA Tournament last season.

"We are excited that Coach Weatherspoon accepted our invitation to be our grand marshall," said Timothy Bush, parade chairman. "She is someone who is well known in the community."