Jennifer Azzi

What a Game!

2012-01-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

Here's a video of Rheina Ale's buzzer-beater in last night's win over St. Mary's.

Miami Heat Practice at USF

2012-01-11T08:20:00.000-07:00

The Miami Heat practiced in our gym today. It was really exciting for my team to get to meet the Heat players.

The guys were so gracious and nice to our players! Coach Spoelstra gave us a pep talk about having patience as we build our program. He said they (even at their level) focus on improvement every time they take the court, which is the message I give our team everyday.

It was awesome to hear that message from the best!

With Coach Erik Spoelstra

With LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

Online Chat, Upcoming Games

2012-01-04T19:25:00.000-07:00

If you missed the West Coast Conference online chat I did earlier this week, check it out here.

Here's a video preview of our upcoming games. Thank you to everyone for your continued support!

USANA Night at USF

2011-12-27T14:33:00.000-07:00

USANA Night!

The Latest from USF

2011-12-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

Preview of Upcoming USF Games

2011-12-01T09:50:00.002-07:00

An Inspiring Day

2011-08-25T20:10:00.000-06:00

I spoke today at the USANA Health Sciences International Convention in Salt Lake City.

It was great to be in the company of legendary Billie Jean King. What an outstanding person! She has done so much to pave the way for women in sports. She told me she would be happy to speak with my team at USF —they could learn so much from her!

The incomparable Billie Jean King

With Dr. Myron Wentz, founder of USANA, and Dave Wentz, the company's CEO.

I also was able to speak with many of the USANA athletes and hear their amazing stories. This year’s theme is “Living the Dream.” It’s a perfect fit for athletes and associates who are overcoming their fears and truly living their dreams.

What an inspiring day!

Connecting with One of the All-Time Greats

2011-07-20T08:39:00.000-06:00

I recently participated in a great event. The Joe Morgan Golf Tournament raises money for education for local Bay Area youth.

Along with Joe Morgan, Bill Russell funds scholarships for Oakland youth who would not otherwise be able to attend college. Higher education for all kids is one of Bill Russell’s missions in life. He is one of the few “celebrities” who makes such a difference in the lives of people who really need support.

I was able to talk with Bill for a long time, and I must say, I am more and more in awe of him. He shared much of his history with me including some of his time at USF and the challenges facing him in that era.

I am thrilled my team got to meet him last spring and hear about his struggles, and learn from his life. Without him, we do not have the wonderful winning history at USF.

He shared with me about learning the rules of basketball as a young boy and there was no rule for not blocking shots, so he said he started to do it (very successfully!!). He mentioned it was such a new skill there was no stat for blocked shots!

He told me he loves to watch women’s basketball and appreciates our game for our fundamental skills. He is a huge fan of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm and can be seen regularly at their games.

I could go on and on...I am so grateful to be able to connect with Bill and learn so much.

Helping Make the World a Better Place

2011-03-25T15:14:00.000-06:00

What an honor for me and my players to speak with Bill Russell! We share his passion for education and his love for basketball. We were in awe as Mr. Russell spoke about the problems facing the Oakland community (namely, education and violence) and how he was going to lead the way towards a better community.

I have never seen a "celebrity" with that much passion and conviction to help make the world a better place for all. I am thrilled my team was able to have such a real world education last night.

Additionally, they were able to listen to legendary athletes talk about the problems facing the Oakland community and how we all need to join forces to help raise graduation rates and stop violence. Proceeds from the dinner help support The George P. Scotlan Youth and Family Center: http://scotlancenter.org/

Oakland mayor Jean Quan

Baseball great Vida Blue

Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown

An Amazing Time at USANA's Asia Pacific Convention

2011-03-21T08:40:00.000-06:00

I just returned from speaking in Hong Kong for USANA’s Asia Pacific conference (a 13-hour non-stop flight from San Francisco!!). There were 7,500 USANA Associates in attendance!! My segment was about elite level athletes and coaches trusting USANA.

Additionally, I had the privilege of introducing USANA’s exclusive relationship with the WTA. When I introduced Zheng Jie, China’s top tennis player and one of the most recognized athletes in China, via a video testimonial, the crowd went crazy. She spoke about her belief in the products and how USANA helps her to be healthy on the court.

I am still amazed that in the supplement world there are very few nutritional products we can trust. A positive test for a banned substance can end an athlete's career! I am forever grateful that I found USANA.

I enjoyed spending time talking with Dr. Wentz, USANA’s founder. He is absolutely brilliant! I also got to spend a bit of time with Collette Larsen, Dr. Strand, Dave Wentz (USANA’s CEO) and Dr. Wood. The conversations always seem to include the latest health issues and solutions — right up my alley! I always learn so much from being around them.

My trip was amazing and I have some great tools to bring back to my team at USF.

The West Coast Conference Tournament

2011-03-18T08:29:00.002-06:00

We wrapped up the season earlier this month against Santa Clara in the West Coast Conference (WCC) Tournament. Here are a few photos from that game. Thank you to everyone for your support throughout this season! Looking forward to next year...

Rethinking the Definition of Winning and Losing

2011-02-15T16:52:00.001-07:00

From the outside, this may seem like it has been a very difficult season for my team at USF. Our record is flat out terrible and we have only won one game so far in our conference. Many people have asked how I am dealing with "losing." Almost daily, I receive encouraging emails to "keep my head up and remember that this experience is not a sprint it’s a marathon" when referring to building this basketball program.

When I took the job as head coach here at USF last May, I knew it was going to be difficult. In fact most deemed it impossible to build a winning program at a place that has been firmly anchored at the bottom for so many years. I am here because I am drawn to the challenge. I see potential, and I believe we will eventually win games. But the question I ask myself now, is are we really losing? We have small victories every single day. Without ever really experiencing "losing," this season has made me rethink the definition of winning and losing.

If I really think about what winning in life is all about, it’s about being challenged to improve every day to be your best. I have seen players on our team improve almost overnight. I have seen players who would never imagine being able to shoot knocking down three-point shots. Players who have never been in shape are asking for extra workouts. Some (although I wish more...) ask me to come in the gym and work extra. Each time we step onto the court we are better than the day before.

Unfortunately, the improvement is not enough to outscore our opponents. We have had to work very hard not to focus on the scoreboard, but rather to play each possession to the best of our ability. When we played Stanford earlier this season, Tara (Stanford head coach and my college coach) came into our locker room and spoke to our team. Ironically, her message was to continue to work to be our best and not worry about the score. The true battle is with yourself and playing the best you can each time you step on the court. Whether you are the top team in the country or you are building a program it’s the same — work hard to be your best.

I admit I don’t like to lose, but I want to win more. Ultimately, the only way to win is to be positive, work hard, and believe we can. I can’t judge where we are by our record, but by the victories we have each day. We will have three seniors play in their last game at USF on Saturday. They will leave here as winners. Anyone who can complete a degree at USF while being a Division 1 athlete is a winner in my book.

NE3 Provides Energy Boost at 'USANA Night'

2011-01-05T07:18:00.001-07:00

USANA’s Team NE3 came to a recent home game at USF. We had a blast! As a USANA Associate, whether you are crossline, downline, or upline, you are a family. That was evident as we had a fantastic time at our game with NE3 in San Francisco!

Our team really needed a boost and they were shocked to have so many screaming fans in our gym! If you've attended a USANA event, you know how loud Next Evolution can get! The season so far has been difficult for us, but NE3 gave us a much needed boost of energy!

After the game I spoke with our USANA Associates and I was asked about the parallels between building a USANA business and building a program at USF. The fundamentals are the same. Success starts with belief! We have to believe we can be successful. My team has to believe they can work hard and win games.

With USANA, you have to first believe in the products! Second, you have to have a vision — see where you want to go. People may think you are crazy, but it is up to you to paint your vision for success and go for it!

Right before that, we welcomed Stanford, my alma mater, to our home court. It was a big night — Stanford coach (whom I played for) Tara VanDerveer was going for her 800th win! Leading up to the game our team received a lot of press (you might have seen links on Facebook). We had articles written about us and the game in the San Francisco Chronicle, the San Jose Mercury News, and by the Associated Press. It's great press for a team like us, who's trying to build a program.

Coach VanDerveer ended up getting her milestone win that night. And even though our team lost, I couldn't be happier for her. As I mention in the articles, I'm working to build a solid foundation for the USF program and I know we can learn a lot from what she's done at Stanford. While we're experiencing some growing pains, we're making excellent progress! I'm looking forward to our next game as we open conference play against Santa Clara on Saturday.

An Exciting Visit from Dusty Baker!

2010-12-07T12:09:00.004-07:00

Our team was incredibly fortunate to get to hear from legendary major league manager Dusty Baker before we took the court against Sacramento State last week.

He is an inspiration and a role model for all athletes and coaches! We were lucky to get advice from one of the all-time greats. In the end, as with most things in life, obtaining success on and off the court comes down to preparation, persistence, and hard work.

As a major leaguer, Dusty hit nearly 250 home runs and had more than 1,000 RBIs. His Dodgers won the World Series in 1981. And as a manager, Dusty has won more than 1,400 games in his career. He led the 2002 San Francisco Giants to the National League pennant, and last year his Cincinnati Reds won the NL Central division. He definitely knows what he's talking about!!

Here are a few photos from the pre-game visit.

Now we're getting ready to travel to Logan, Utah, to play Utah State on Wednesday.

Hitting the Road with USF for Thanksgiving

2010-12-01T10:52:00.003-07:00

We recently returned from Albuquerque, New Mexico, where we played in a Thanksgiving tournament. We had to travel on Thanksgiving — tough to be away from family for staff and players, but thankfully we get along so well that is was a pleasure to spend the day with them.

Boston Market catered our meal, which was ready when we arrived at our hotel. After saying what we were all thankful for, we got into a heated game of Guesstures. We divided into 3 teams — Staff, Freshman and Sophomores, and Juniors and Seniors. Unfortunately, we placed last! Juniors and Seniors won. They are quite a competitive group!

On the court, our first game against New Mexico didn’t go too well for us. NM is a really good team and very well coached. Thankfully, we had a chance to redeem ourselves the next night against Rhode Island. We were down 4 points with about 12 minutes to go in the second half, but we were able to outlast Rhode Island in the final 11 minutes of the game. I was really proud of my team’s effort and composure to never give up and do a great job executing down the stretch.

Albuquerque is at 5,400 feet above sea level. Part of what helped our team’s performance was having a strong conditioning base, and drinking a lot of water as we traveled and staying hydrated all three days. As a coach, it can be tough to keep up with my own workouts, but I was able to get in a run while we were on the road and I ran as soon as we landed in San Francisco.

I feel much more effective and energetic as a coach when I also take care of my health. I also take USANA everyday, everywhere I go. Health and conditioning will continue to be an emphasis for our team and our program at USF.

Tough Loss, But Continuing to Move Forward

2010-11-23T08:03:00.004-07:00

Unfortunately we lost our last game in Fullerton. We had a chance to tie the game at the end, but missed the front end of a one-and-one. I was proud of how hard we played in the second half, but we have a lot of work to do to continue developing team chemistry.

For those of you who are not familiar with college athletics, we don’t have a lot of time to coach the team until early October, so we use our preseason to try different combinations of players and continue to teach the game. Our goal for this season is to continue to change the culture at USF and work hard to improve.

Health is a huge priority for me as a coach. I hope the young women leave our program with a great understanding of how to apply what they learn here to being healthy, competent young women when they graduate.

Here is a video of an interview I did with GameDay on KPIX-TV, the CBS affiliate in San Francisco:

Getting the Season Started!

2010-11-15T09:43:00.001-07:00

Whew... the last little while has been very, very busy but I'm loving it! As most of you know, this is my first year as the University of San Francisco women's basketball coach. I've spent the past several months preparing for the start of the season, which tipped off on Friday.

It's been so much fun getting to know these incredible players and getting them ready to compete against some tough teams (here's a quick interview I did with Gary Radnich of KRON 4). I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season.

Being a coach, I've learned, is more than just instructing on the court — it's about teaching these players to live a healthy lifestyle off the court as well. So far, with the help of USANA, we're heading in the right direction.

Tonight we are at home against San Jose State. I encourage members of the USANA family in the Bay Area to come to the game and see these amazing athletes. Plus, as part of the West Coast Conference's "Be a Part of It" program we are conducting a "Fitness Day."

After the game I will be speaking briefly with Rosie Bank, a certified nutrition and wellness consultant, about fitness and nutrition (and I'm sure we'll talk a little about USANA).

Visiting the Kids of Northern Light School

2010-10-11T08:41:00.000-06:00

My team at USF and I visited the Northern Light School in Oakland recently. We had an incredible experience with the kids! They sang to us, we danced in their “circle” and we laughed and cried! It was an emotional experience to feel the love and gratitude at the school.

Many of the kids don’t know their parents, but Northern Light provides them with hope and a chance at a successful life. The school is K-8th grade, but they have a 98% graduation rate from college!

They boast a Navy Seal, Doctors, Teachers, Lawyers, and amazing young graduates who are making the world a better place as they fulfill their dreams! We left completely inspired and hopeful about our own lives. Thank you Northern Light!!

Leading a WNBA Fit Clinic

2010-09-13T19:00:00.001-06:00

I was asked to lead a WNBA fit clinic with Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird. Health and fitness is a huge initiative for the WNBA as well as our program at USF. We all have an amazing platform to inspire youth to be healthy and active!

Best Ever USANA Convention!

2010-08-31T19:07:00.004-06:00

The USANA International Convention was the best ever! Every year it feels like a big family reunion. This year I was particularly moved by the 40 associates who climbed Mt. Everest. They were led by Werner Berger, USANA Silver Director and the oldest North American to climb the seven summits. The age range was 18 to 84! Associate Edna Northrup, 84, was the oldest woman to make the climb — breaking a world record!!

Could they have done this without USANA?? They each talked about their reasons and motivation for the climb. Collete Larsen's motivation was to feel what her daughter, who has CF, feels when she is in severe oxygen debt. The stories were all so inspirational — I could not hold back the tears!

Saturday morning we had our annual Children's Hunger Fund 5K. Associates raised over $125,000 for CHF! It was a perfectly gorgeous morning for the thousands of associates who ran with us! Derek Parra is a machine!! I was happy to run and feel great!

As for my part, I was the host of the Athletes segment. I was particularly impressed with the testimonial of Liezel Huber, the No. 1 doubles tennis player in the world. She credits USANA with her rise to the top! Health really is the foundation for sports performance and it is such a pleasure to be able to share the message of true health that USANA provides.

As I begin my coaching career at USF, USANA provides a wonderful partnership for health! Thank you Dave Wentz for all that you do to make USANA the best!!

An Incredible Event for a Great Cause!

2010-08-31T08:00:00.002-06:00

A Couple of Photos From Yesterday

2010-08-28T05:29:00.003-06:00

Naomi Priestley, Jason Priestley, Kathy Kaehler, Ashlan Gorse, and Dan Macuga

With E! News Correspondent Ashlan Gorse

Jason and Naomi Priestley

What a Day at the USANA International Convention!

2010-08-27T18:46:00.003-06:00

What an Experience at the White House!

2010-07-20T11:37:00.000-06:00

I was invited to the White House to lead a clinic on behalf of Michelle Obama’s initiative, “Let’s Move,” WNBA Fit, and the Phoenix Mercury. Prior to the clinic, we did a tour of the White House. Following the tour we were greeted by President Obama to honor the Mercury for their WNBA Championship.

After he spoke, he walked over and shook my hand. (Admittedly, my heart was racing a bit...well..a lot) I said, “Hello, I am Jennifer Azzi.” He said, “Jennifer, I know who you are, congratulations.” What?? I was shocked...blew me away! I guess he really is a basketball fan...and he is extremely respectful and complementary of the women’s game.

We talked briefly and then he greeted more people. He has such a kindness, and sincerity about him. And he is one of the most charismatic people I have ever met. What an amazing experience!

Following our meeting with President Obama, we went out to the White House Basketball Court for our clinic. The court is really special, very private, surrounded by lush greenery and a 15-foot fence. This is the place where President Obama, an avid basketball player, shoots hoops. The ball rack is full of balls with his name branded on them.

The players from the Mercury and I worked with 40 boys and girls from a local Y. We were the first ever public event on the White House Basketball Court! In spite of extreme heat and humidity, the clinic was amazing! The kids will never forget being on the White House Court — not many people can say they have had that experience... It was a very special day for all.

Diana Taurasi and Renee Brown

Members of the WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury

WNBA Cares in Connecticut

2010-07-11T08:37:00.005-06:00

Donna Orender, right, and the WNBA All-Stars

I hosted a WNBA Cares Fit event with several WNBA All-Stars and Olympians at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut.

A big part of the WNBA Cares mission is to help teach and educate kids to be healthy and active. I also had the opportunity to watch our next Olympians practice. The level of play and talent is outstanding!

Geno Auriemma, head coach University of Connecticut and Olympic team coach

Geno Auriemma, UCONN’s head coach, is our Olympic team’s head coach as well. I like his intensity and his teaching style with the players. As I prepare for next season coaching my team at USF, it is invaluable to learn from the great coaches around the country.

July is recruiting month and most coaches, including myself, are out nearly 20 days this month watching tournaments all over the country. We were recruiting at a huge tournament, End of The Trail, in Portland prior to my quick time out with WNBA All-Star.

Now it’s back to recruiting in Chicago! As I watch the young women compete in hopes of getting a college scholarship, I am so grateful that women have these kinds of opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

It was not that long ago that women did not have opportunities like this....

Jayne Appel, WNBA All-Star from Stanford

Tamika Catchings, WNBA All-Star and Olympian

Teresa Edwards, 5-time Olympian

Be Your Best!

2010-07-09T13:27:00.004-06:00

We just finished a week of the 3rd Annual Azzi Camp in Mill Valley (here's a post from last year's event). We had 115 boys and girls. It was a blast! Our staff was outstanding and the kids were tremendous!

I hope they all left loving basketball and having a desire to, as our motto states, “Be Your Best.” I feel lucky to live in a community where kids are very active and there is so much support for our public schools.

Always Dream

2010-06-22T13:50:00.003-06:00

Randy Hahn, voice of the San Jose Sharks, and television anchor Roberta Gonzales

I was one of the guests at Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation fundraiser featuring many of the “Dancing with the Stars” champions. The mission of the Always Dream Foundation is simple — to give underprivileged children the tools they need to fulfill their dreams.

When Kristi’s husband, former NHL star Brett Hedigan, asked me to participate, he said it would be my favorite event of the year. I must say he was right! What a wonderful event! Be sure to check it out at: http://www.alwaysdream.org/

Don Blue and Kristi Yamaguchi

There were so many amazing dancers and stars! I was sitting with Peggy Flemming and her husband — what fabulous people! Everyone was very supportive of my team at USF. Many people said they were excited to come to our games this season. It is so encouraging to be around people like Kristi and Brett who have used their success to truly make the world a better place.

San Francisco Chronicle Goes 'Behind the Scenes'

2010-06-06T09:38:00.002-06:00

Susan Slusser from the San Francisco Chronicle followed me for a day as I am beginning as Head Coach at the University of San Francisco (here is the article). The team is gone now, so most of our focus is recruiting, organizing, camps, and the details of laying the foundation for success.

Susan wanted an inside look at what the process is like “behind the scenes” for a new coach in college athletics. There are a lot of moving parts!!

Throwing the First Pitch at a Giants Game!

2010-06-04T07:53:00.003-06:00

I had the opportunity to represent USF and USANA as an Olympian at the Giants game. It was a Northern California Olympians tribute and a I threw out the first pitch at the Giants vs. Rockies game. It was a lot of fun!

I must say it’s more nerve-racking to do that than to shoot a free throw with two seconds left and the team is down by one! I guess you are only good at what you practice!

Having a Blast at USANA's AP Convention!

2010-05-21T08:28:00.007-06:00

The first session in Hong Kong was awesome! 6,000 Associates! I was sitting next to Werner Berger. He and nearly 40 other USANA Associates, including Collette Larsen, literally just flew in from climbing Mt. Everest! He told me that normally 30-40% of climbers don't make it due to fatigue. But not this group. All of them made it! Go USANA! I am seriously impressed!

Collette Larsen

Werner Berger

People her are so kind and extremely passionate about USANA! The energy is outstanding — I have had a very warm welcome from the Associates. I spoke this morning and will be going back to listen to the other speakers this afternoon and tomorrow. So far this is a fabulous convention!

Golfing at Pebble Beach

2010-05-13T07:25:00.007-06:00

I golfed at Pebble Beach in the annual fundraiser for All-Stars Helping Kids. It was a fabulous event! I have been very buys at USF with my team, but I was able to keep my commitment to play in one of my favorite events of the year!

Pebble Beach is one of the most beautiful places on earth! I am not much of a golfer, but I am learning and was thrilled to be paired with Cindy Reid, one of the top golf pros in the world. I was a bit intimidated at first, but she has such a gift for teaching!! I may have improved in one day...

The rest of our foursome was Olympic gold medalist Brandi Chastain (who is quite the golfer!!) and actor Grant Show (another amazing golfer!!) We had a blast together. They were so much fun to be around — everyone was so positive.

Another highlight for me was to see USANA have a presence at the tournament. Joe Wentz was at one of the holes handing out Nutrimeal and BlenderBottles®, as well as much needed Rev3! So many people were asking me about USANA, so I was able to share more about the products and the company with a lot of people at the event. Each of the celebrity athletes, including Joe Montana, received a MyHealthPak in their care packages. Go USANA!

An Exciting Opportunity

2010-04-23T10:32:00.003-06:00

I have some big news. I have agreed to be the new women's basketball head coach at the University of San Francisco!

I'm very excited about this new opportunity in my career. I am thrilled to have the chance to work with young women. I believe sports provide a foundation for success in life.

I'm scheduled for a press conference in a couple of hours, so I'll be sure to post more details. Thanks to everyone for all of your support!

Talking About the Final Four

2010-04-05T10:09:00.003-06:00

Be sure to check out Stanford in the NCAA Championship game on Tuesday! I am really proud of the team! I caught up with Vern Glenn from Channel 4 to talk about the Final Four.

Speaking About the Value of Proper Nutrition

2010-03-21T21:38:00.003-06:00

I was a keynote speaker at The American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAPHERD) conference in Indianapolis. I worked with both the Got Milk? Campaign and Ruth Carey, the Portland Trail Blazers Nutritionist. She is one of the few RD’s I have met that has become so well integrated into the fabric of the team organization.

Ruth Carey

It’s obvious, that what we eat is just as important as how we train, but so many sports organizations leave that part out! I was thrilled that she is able to truly educate the athletes about the value of proper nutrition and sports.

We share the same philosophy that by keeping yourself healthy you can perform to the best of your ability, whether a professional athlete, or an everyday person looking to “seize the day!” And yes ... I spoke to her about USANA so I hope to get her into the family!

Incredible Energy at the Las Vegas Celebration

2010-03-08T10:17:00.003-07:00

The Las Vegas Celebration was awesome!!! I got so energized spending time with other USANA Associates and hearing all of the incredible speakers on Friday and Saturday.

What I love is the diversity of people who are all equally motivated by Dr. Wentz’s (USANA’s founder) vision of true health — a world free from disease, a world free from pain and suffering.

Through USANA, we are helping to change the health of our world one person at a time. A highlight for me in Vegas was the group of Associates from the Bay Area, my home. With Aaron Dinh as their fearless leader, they are so full of energy and they are a living example of the USANA family at its best.

I applaud them for their team spirit and their drive to be their best! I am thrilled to see everyone again in Salt Lake City at the International Convention in August!

And Collette Larsen is simply the best!! I always love to hear her speak!

An Amazing Las Vegas Celebration

2010-03-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

Wrapping Up a Phenomenal Winter Games Experience

2010-02-28T12:43:00.005-07:00

It’s bittersweet as the Games here in Vancouver are winding down. I had the opportunity to go to the speedskating Team Pursuit medal round. To see races won or lost by .02 seconds is incredible. The difference between gold and silver is so unbelievably minute — a second feels like an eternity out on the ice!

The race that sticks out for me was when Germany's Anni Friesinger-Postma lost her balance and slid on her stomach for the final 25 meters. She looked more like a swimmer on ice as she crossed the finish line. She started to cry thinking she lost the race but she was able to get her skate across the line (skate has to cross to finish) to beat the U.S. by .23 seconds!

My friend Derek Parra (US Speedskating Head Coach) was in total shock. He told me after the race that Friesinger-Postma did a remarkable job getting her skate across the line but he was pretty bummed about losing the race.

I also caught up with Dave and Renee Wentz again at the USA House. Dave shared his pin collecting hobby with me and talked about it on the video posted above. You have to watch!

The Olympics have been so inspiring. This was my first Winter Games and I am extremely grateful to the USOC for providing me with such great access to current and former Olympians and for hosting me and all of the Olympians at the USA House. I was able to meet so many outstanding people!

Having a Blast in Vancouver!

2010-02-27T13:41:00.002-07:00

Dave Wentz wearing his lucky USA hat.

Apolo Ohno

Friday was a blast! I toured the P&G House for Olympians and their families. It is similar to the USA House, but more commercial. One cool part of the P&G House was the spa where athletes can get massages, makeovers, hair styling, etc. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to get a massage!!

Later in the evening, I had the opportunity to catch up and spend time with Dave and Renee Wentz and host them at the USA House. Dave was sporting a few pins from his collection but the best part of his outfit was the USA hat! He said he wore that hat with pride in 2002 as well!

We had a great time seeing the athletes and we all got the opportunity to meet and talk with Apolo Ohno. Each night at the House, athletes come after their competition to celebrate with friends and family. No press is allowed, so it really allows them to get away. I continue to be impressed by how nice and humble the athletes are.

Here are some photos from the day:

Ryan Suter, Team USA Hockey

Again, the hat

US Speedskating short-track coach Jae Su Chun

US Speedskating's Travis Jayner

Cameron Myler, four-time Olympian for USA Luge

Speedskating great Dan Jansen

Seeing Vancouver, Listening to Olympians (Day 4)

2010-02-27T08:37:00.003-07:00

Vancouver continues to be a great experience. Thankfully I have been able to get in my runs each day — one of the most difficult things to do when traveling. Exercise is the key for keeping up my energy on these long, busy days. I found a beautiful trail near the hotel and a great route by the water. I am really becoming a fan of Vancouver — as it is so inspiring to get out and be active here!

As for the Olympic experience, I caught up with Picabo Street (Olympic gold medalist, downhill kkiing), John Naber (Olympic gold medalist, swimming), and Kristi Yamaguchi (Olympic gold medalist, figure kkating) at a reception at the USA House (that place is really becoming my home here!!)

Picabo Street

Kristi Yamaguchi

John Naber

They were all so gracious as they thanked all of our sponsors and the people who have impacted their careers. Picabo talked about growing up in a poor family and she had fallen in love with a “rich person’s sport” and she could never have reached her potential without a lot of help.

I also walked around “the streets” to get a sense of the buzz around these Games. Lots of people (rain or shine!) trade pins, play instruments, have street performances, etc. The vibe here continues to be extremely lively and fun!

I have also been able to talk to a lot of people about USANA, as I have been well equipped with USANA beanies and gifts. I ran into a group of young men (below) who were thrilled to hear about USANA. I hope to see some of our USANA team soon!

A Win-Win Day in Vancouver

2010-02-26T14:21:00.000-07:00

I started the day with a reception for USANA Associates and the US Speedskating group at the US Speedskating House. It was a blast to get together and share our paths in USANA.

Karen Shumka, USANA Emerald Director, and I were betting (no money!!) on who would win the USA vs. Canada Women’s Hockey gold medal game yesterday. Of course I was USA all the way, but I was a tiny bit torn, as we have an incredible Canadian athlete on Team USANA — Jennifer Botterill.

As it turns out Canada won, and USANA won ... and I was really proud of Team USA! They have an incredible rivalry with Canada and on any given day either team could win.

Team USA Women's Hockey Team

Checking out Caitlin's silver medal

I was able to catch up with the USA Women’s Hockey Team after the game at the USA House. I talked with Caitlin Cahow (No. 8 USA) and her mom Barbara about their experience here and I got to hold Caitlin’s silver medal!

Although I may have a medal of my own, I was like a little kid when I got to touch Caitin’s medal. The design is spectacular!

To top it off, I got to meet members of our USANA-sponsored Women’s Speedskating team as well. All of the athletes are so gracious and humble. It’s inspiring to be around them...

US Speedskating's bronze medal 3,000 meter relay team

Behind the Scenes in Vancouver (Day 3)

2010-02-25T14:56:00.001-07:00

Another fantastic day here at the Olympics!

I had the opportunity to get a real behind the scenes look at speedskating. My friend Derek Parra, Olympic gold medalist and USANA Associate, is the US Speedskating national all-around head coach. We caught up for a few minutes and he spoke about coaching being a bit like parenting — you hope you raised them right and then you send them on and hope for the best.

When I walked into the Olympic Oval, I got chills watching the skaters glide effortlessly around the track. The sound of their skates on the ice makes an incredible sound — if “speed” had a sound that would be it.

The skaters were both extremely focused and relaxed at the same time...it reminded me of our practices at the Olympics. It was not about hard work, it was all about focus and getting mentally ready. There is a universal feeling on the day of any competition — getting nerves under control to relax, focus, and do your best.

From there, I had the opportunity to meet a member of one of the greatest Olympic teams in history — Bob Suter from the 1980 USA Hockey Team!!! What a thrill for me and he was so incredibly humble!

Although it was another rainy day here in Vancouver, it continues to be an awesome experience!

An Incredible Day 2 in Vancouver

2010-02-24T19:39:00.001-07:00

Day 2 in Vancouver was great. Despite the rain, we did a lot of walking! I visited the Alumni House (“House” is another name for where Olympians from around the world can go and hang out, relax, and enjoy the Games).

The Alumni House was more like an art gallery in which there is an incredible display of photos from the Beijing Olympics. I met Michael, from the 2002 Greek Skeleton team, as you'll see in the video.

While we were there, the host had us both sign the Olympic wall of fame — there are some impressive names on that wall! As I was leaving the House, I ran into two USANA Associates who live here in Vancouver and they promise to be at Convention this summer!

From there I went to see Bonnie Blair at Right To Play, followed by some time at the USA House. The USA House is incredible! You can only access the House if you are a U.S. Olympian.

It is an awesome space right in the heart of Vancouver where we can hang out with other Olympians. The food is fantastic! I guess you could call it a home away from home. I am certainly enjoying this experience...and the people here in Vancouver have been fantastic!

2010 Winter Games in Vancouver: Day 1

2010-02-24T09:58:00.006-07:00

A warm greeting!

Today was mostly a travel day from San Francisco to Vancouver. I was able to get the “lay of the land” from Alan and we did a quick tour of the city. What an infectious atmosphere! The Olympic spirit and enthusiasm for the games is everywhere!!

When I was in the Summer Olympics, it was so much different. We were fairly sheltered as we traveled with the men’s team, made up of mostly “rock stars” like Shaq O'Neil, John Stockton, and Charles Barkley, who could not freely roam the event, so we stayed in a hotel, not the athletes village. I feel fortunate to get a totally different feel for the spirit of the Olympics and I love it!

USANA pride

With Alan Bergstrom in Vancouver

Visiting with Miss British Columbia

An Incredible Venue for the All-Star Game

2010-02-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

This has been a great week of events in Dallas! But the finalé — the All-Star Game was absolutely amazing!!

Unless you have been to the Cowboys Stadium, it is hard to get a sense of how massive the 50-yard HD TV is — largest in the world! It hangs above what is normally a football field (which was converted to a basketball venue for the game).

There is no bad seat in the stadium for the record-breaking 108,000 fans — largest ever for a basketball game! I had seats on the second row, and could see the game perfectly well, but I found myself staring constantly at the gigantic TV!

On hand were the usual celebrities, and great music including a performance by Usher, but the real star of the night was the stadium. Unbelievable!!!

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 4)

2010-02-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

Dallas has been incredible! We had an Africa reception where NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the new NBA office in Johannesburg. The NBA will be developing the game in Africa.

My friend Dikembe Mutombo will be a major force in the effort to not only grow the game but to spread the message of NBA Cares around the continent.

We also had a WNBA reception where I had the opportunity to meet Maria Shriver and hear about the great work she is doing with the Special Olympics. I feel so fortunate to be a part of the NBA and the NBA Cares family. The work is so rewarding!

Here are a few more photos from the NBA All-Star Weekend... Will have some videos soon.

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 3) Day of Service

2010-02-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 2)

2010-02-12T16:54:00.002-07:00

I barely have time to write as we have had so many great events, including wheelchair basketball and several NBA Fit events.

Yesterday was strange — we got 12 inches of snow! Dikembe Mutombo and I were stuck in traffic for 3.5 hours! We only went about 10 miles! The good news is that I got to know Dikembe and I am so impressed with him!

He is so humble and has such a wonderful positive outlook on life. He has built a hospital in Africa with his own money and he continues to be involved in Atlanta and around the globe. Unfortunately the media covers the negative things the players do but the reality is there are far more current and former players like Dikembe who do wonderful things in their communities.

Here are a few photos from our NBA Fit video shoot with WNBA and NBA All-Stars.

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 1) Featuring Laura Bush

2010-02-11T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have been going non-stop since I got here to Dallas! We have had a number of events the past couple of days.

A real highlight was our NBA Cares event with Laura Bush. Bob Lanier and I co-hosted the event. (And it was a really cool to be able to address the former First Lady...)

Read to Achieve

We dedicated a new library at Ferrell Elementary School in Dallas. Since Mrs. Bush is a former librarian and is passionate about literacy in this country, she was a perfect fit for the event. She was extremely kind and delivered a very graceful and articulate message encouraging the kids to read. I was fortunate to have been able to meet her and talk to her for a bit. She was wonderful.

With Felipe Lopez and Mark Cuban

20th Anniversary of Stanford's 1990 Championship

2010-02-09T16:32:00.007-07:00

The 1990 championship team

This past weekend my teammates and I were honored for the 20th anniversary of our 1990 NCAA Championship. It started with an incredible dinner, party, and we were recognized by a great crowd at the Stanford-USC game. It is hard to imagine it has been 20 years since we won the title!

Eight members of our team, three of our coaches, support staff, and Andy Geiger our Athletic Director were there — we had not all been together since we won in 1990. Many of our group flew across the country to celebrate.

I am not one to reminisce about past success, but I must admit I had a lot of fun seeing everyone! It was as if no time had passed! I am amazed at all of the wonderful things my teammates are doing now. They are doctors, teachers, coaches, executives, entrepreneurs, moms, lawyers, and best of all great friends after all of these years.

Sports really do bring us together and I can’t think of a better group of women and men to have traveled the journey to the 1990 Championship and beyond. Tara VanDerveer and Amy Tucker, who are still coaches at Stanford, have created a legacy that continues to live within each team since our championship season.

I am so blessed to have been surrounded by such outstanding people! And I continue to be amazed by the success of Stanford Women’s Basketball... I look forward to seeing this Stanford team at the Final Four in San Antonio!

The 1990 championship team and the 2010 team

Honored after the Stanford-USC game

With coach Tara VanDerveer

Team staff and Helen and Peter Bing

A Great Weekend With Dad

2010-02-03T08:55:00.004-07:00

My Dad and I went to Sea Ranch last weekend. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth! There are 10 miles of trails along the rocky California Coast. It truly takes my breath away! We had a great time walking and talking and just relaxing. There are no TV’s and internet access and cell service are sparse, which forces a true getaway. It is nature at its best!

'Impossible is Nothing'

2010-01-26T15:52:00.001-07:00

I attended an “Impossible is Nothing” lunch at The Northern Light School in Oakland on Friday. Dana Carvey was the lunch speaker.

John Novich, one of our amazing local parents, is an ambassador for the school. He reached out to me when I moved to the Bay Area to help support the school. I have also had the opportunity to speak to the kids at Northern Light.

I remember the moment I arrived at the gym, the kids were sitting in a circle holding hands singing “Impossible is Nothing.” I was shocked at my response — uncontrollable tears! There was a feeling of pure love in that gym.

The kids who attend Northern Light would likely not otherwise have a chance at a first class education. They are from very difficult family environments — some parents even on drugs or in jail. Yet their graduation rates are simply outstanding!!

What I love about the school is that they teach the kids to be responsible citizens of the world. While we were there for Dana’s talk, they raised $212 dollars for relief for Haiti. While that may not seem like a lot, these kids do not have much at all, but they fully understand that they have been given the opportunity of a lifetime at Northern Light.

So, when John asked Dana Carvey to speak at the school, he gladly obliged. His message to the kids was wonderful. He talked about not giving up and counting your successes by how much you fail. He also talked about how much time it takes to be good at anything. I left the lunch very inspired by Dana and his story.

Catching Up With NFL Great Jerry Rice

2010-01-18T08:59:00.002-07:00

I caught up with Jerry Rice at Cayote Creek Golf Course. Jerry is working hard to make a run at the PGA. I have no doubt he will make his goal. He is one of the most focused and dedicated people I know!

We spoke about his likely upcoming induction into the NFL Hall of Fame, and he was so humble as he reflected on his career — how he was so focused on his “job” as a football player that he never imagined being the greatest receiver of all time!

We also talked about his experience on Dancing With The Stars. I asked if he would walk around the house practicing his moves and he said “yes!” and proceeded to take my hands and show me the correct dance posture and a couple of moves!!

He just seems to enjoy life and enjoy whatever he is working on — football, dancing, golf — everything! And he is in fantastic shape — I admire how dedicated he is to staying fit. He tried to get me out on the course to golf, but I have a lot of work to do before I get out there with him!!

A Great NBA FIT Event

2010-01-06T15:01:00.004-07:00

We started the new year with a bang — 4 events in Boise, Idaho, as a part of the NBA’s D-League Fit Challenge.

NBA FIT is the league's comprehensive health and wellness platform promoting healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults. The initiative encourages physical activity and healthy living through products, events and programs for children and families. In doing so, NBA FIT strives to engage one million kids, adults and families to pledge NBA FIT during the 2009-10 season.

Frank Lopez (one of the NBA’s top trainers) and I, along with players from the D-League worked with 400 middle school and elementary school kids in Boise, talking with them about the importance of being fit and healthy and showing them hands on activities to keep them moving.

Participating in NBA FIT is part of my role as an Ambassador for the NBA. It is one of the programs I am most passionate about. We are at a real crisis in this country with regard to our health. One of the greatest solutions is to empower and educate youth on the value of taking care of their bodies. I am happy that the NBA has taken a lead in this effort.

A Zhu Zhu Christmas

2009-12-28T11:05:00.004-07:00

On my last trip to Salt Lake City to visit my niece, Alex, I asked her what she wanted for her birthday and Christmas. She said "Nini, I want Zhu Zhu Pets!!" Well, I had no idea what they were, but I figured they would be easy to get.

My first try was at Walmart. I scanned the toy section and finally found someone to help me. I told the clerk I was looking for Zhu Zhu pets. She said, "Oh, we are out of them." Next stop, Target. Same question to the clerk there... "Do you have Zhu Zhu pets?" She replied "Oh no honey, we sold out a while ago."

Next stop CVS, based on a tip I got from a woman at Target. She said CVS just got a new shipment. I rushed over and there was one left, a little hamster play set complete with their wheel and little blanket accessories and lots of Zhu Zhu stuff. I took the box to the register and as I was waiting in line, I noticed the box read, "Hamster sold separately!!" Aagghh! I took the box back and went home to look online.

The Zhu Zhu pets were being scalped on E-Bay for $50 each — they retail for $12. I nearly gave up until I saw an add in the Sunday paper: "New shipment of Zhu Zhu pets at Toys R Us!" I rushed out to Toys R Us and got the last set, complete with two hamsters — Mr. Squiggles and Patches. I felt like a crazy woman obsessed with the latest greatest holiday toy. I wonder if my mom went through that when she bought me a Cabbage Patch doll... It was all worth it to see the look on Alex’s face when she opened the box...

Annual Holiday Basketball Clinic

2009-12-16T12:50:00.003-07:00

Each year I lead a holiday clinic for our local CYO — Mt. Carmel. We had a great turnout and I really enjoyed working with the kids. It brings me a lot of joy to see so many boys and girls here playing basketball.

The parents here are fantastic too — so supportive. Many of them volunteer to coach and work with youth on a regular basis. It was a great day!

Sharing Stories About Dad

2009-12-07T11:02:00.003-07:00

Here is a behind-the-scenes clip from a documentary being filmed be Vern Glenn at KRON Channel 4 in San Francisco. My dad played a huge role in helping me pursue my passion of basketball.

In this clip I talk about how Dad's always had this incredible understanding of me as well as the sacrifices he made to put up a basketball hoop in our driveway.

Co-Hosting the LACY Awards

2009-11-23T13:02:00.003-07:00

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award.

I co-hosted the LACY (Legal Advocates for Children and Youth) awards with Don Bleu, local 101.3 FM anchor. Don was fantastic to work with! He has been on the air and doing events for 30 years.

Don Bleu

LACY, founded in 1990 by the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, works to advance the legal rights of minors, empowering them to lead healthy and productive lives. The LACY awards celebrate the of the work done by many in the community to address the problems of youth who have no voice.

Hon. Patrick E. Tondreau won the individual award for his work in the juvenile court system. He has the unique ability to see the best in youth and help them to get on the “right” path. He told me that he loves his job so much it doesn’t feel like work!

I left the luncheon very inspired by LACY and their work in our community. I believe when people are successful, they have a duty to give back, volunteer, do what they can to build stronger communities.

Visiting Sheikh Nahyan's Palace

2009-11-11T07:59:00.000-07:00

Festival of Thinkers Panel Discussion

2009-11-09T11:10:00.003-07:00

An Amazing Experiece at Festival of Thinkers!

2009-11-05T10:51:00.004-07:00

I was part of the panel "Future Role Models, Adventure in Adversity." The Festival of Thinkers has been an amazing experience!

I have been able to listen to Nobel Laureates and world “thinkers” discuss current issues such as the economic crisis, world health, and globalization. After each session, we broke into roundtable discussions to connect on the issues.

At my table, there were students and “thinkers” from Lebanon, Mexico, Latvia, UK, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. Very different worlds, but we were able to connect and get to a common view on the relevant issues. If only governments could converse like this!!!

After our “panel,” we were summoned by Sheikh Nahyan to come to his palace for dinner. Ready, set, go! When you get asked to join the Sheikh, you drop everything.

I actually thought it was really cool to get his invitation as he has done so much good in the UAE for education, namely educating women in the region, so I am a big fan of his. When we arrived at the Palace, we had no idea what was going to happen. We entered a huge rectangular room with chandeliers, and the finest of everything. There was seating, sort of like couches all around the rectangular space.

After mingling with my fellow panelists, Donna, Dan, Kareem and Michelle, other guests began to arrive. We had no idea why they were there and actually we didn’t really know why we were there — other than to show a great sign of mutual respect for Sheikh Nahyan.

While at the palace, one of my new friends, and co-panelists, Dr. Rodrigo from Chile, said “hey someone wants to meet you.” I followed him across the room and met a man who look almost exactly like Fidel Castro (whom I met at the Pan Am Games in 1991).

Fidel Castro Jr. introduced himself to me and said he really enjoyed our panel today. We chatted for a while and then suddenly all 80 guests quickly lined the room as if, well, as if Sheikh Nahyan were about to enter the room.

I felt like I was in the middle of a movie scene! Sheikh Nahyan greeted each of us with a hand shake. We then sat and had coffee, and a smoke-filled lantern came by and waved incense in our faces. I have a great video on the way of the night — absolutely fascinating!!! I am so grateful for this opportunity.....

More From the Festival of Thinkers

2009-11-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

The third Festival of Thinkers included 15 Nobel Laureates and scientists and nearly 110 world thinkers from 40 countries. Here are a few photos from our panel discussion.

Dr. Rodrigo Jordán, me, Michele Smith, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Donna de Varona during our panel discussion

Dr. Rodrigo Jordán, me, Michele Smith, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Donna de Varona, and Tony Woodcock

Me, Dr. Fidel Castro Díaz–Balart, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dan Clark, Michele Smith

With Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA legend

With Dr. Fidel Castro Díaz–Balart, Scientific Advisor to the President of the State Council Republic of Cuba

Ceremonial Arabic coffee with Sheikh Nahyan

A Couple Photos from Day 1

2009-11-03T12:52:00.005-07:00

I wanted to post a couple of quick photos (I didn't have a camera cord handy earlier). Look for more updates soon!

Cherie Blair, Founder Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr. Shirin Ebadi and Michele Smith, Olympic Gold Medalist United States National Softball Team.

Day 1 in Abu Dhabi at Festival of Thinkers

2009-11-02T14:23:00.009-07:00

Day one was awesome! Today was the opening ceremony at the Emirates Palace as well as the start of the roundtable discussions at the Abu Dhabi Women’s College, concluding with a huge gala dinner.

The production was amazing — including one of the most incredible fireworks displays (out over the gulf) I have ever seen!

I was very impressed with Dr. Shirin Ebadi, Nobel Prize Winner for Peace, from Iran. She spoke about the importance of educating Muslim women and the importance of women in the Muslim world. I was surprised at how freely and confidently she spoke about women’s rights in the region.

Our topics of discussion today were the current economic crisis and sustainability in the world’s resources. I am part of a panel tomorrow entitled, “Future Role Models, Adventures in Adversity.” Time to sleep — I hope, as jet lag is no fun!

I also wanted to include this short video of my friends from the Abu Dhabi Women’s College. I was shocked on my trip to the region last March that a number of the girls play basketball!

I was so impressed as I didn’t realize they were “able” to play based on the cultural views of women. What’s great to see is that things are changing here and there are many more opportunities for women, most of which we Americans totally take for granted. I have a wonderful bond with the “team.” I love their spirit!

Here's a list of my blog posts from this trip!

The Journey Begins!

2009-10-30T16:11:00.002-06:00

Hello USANA family! I am about to board the plane for Dubai and like all of you, I never leave home without my HealthPak 100! I was just going to empty the paks into my bag. I can’t travel as much as I do without USANA on every trip!

I always up my Proflavanol 90 on long trips like this...helps a lot! It will be interesting to see if I get interesting looks as I take out my HealthPak during our fancy dinners. Should make for some interesting conversation...

Headed to Dubai

2009-10-30T14:12:00.001-06:00

I am headed to Dubai today to participate in Festival of Thinkers, a “platform to foster and celebrate thinking, inspiring the youth of the region, and allowing thinkers from around the world to come together and share their ideas and thoughts.” Here is the incredible group.

I can’t wait to meet the “World Thinkers.” (still not sure how I got into this group...) My flight leaves SFO at 4:45pm — thankfully nonstop to Dubai. It’s a short 16-hour flight! I am excited to fly on Emirates Airlines as I have heard how nice the service is. I will send updates during the trip.

Setting a Goal and Achieving It

2009-10-20T15:10:00.011-06:00

Last March I was recruited by 4 of my college teammates to run the Nike Half-Marathon in San Francisco. Although all living in different states, they decided we could train (remotely) together for the race in honor of our 20th anniversary of winning the NCAA Championship at Stanford.

As much as I enjoy running, I never run more than 40 minutes! A half-marathon is three times what I am used to! Not wanting to let my teammates down, I very reluctantly decided to commit.

The first step was to sign-up and pay the $100 entry fee. Step two was finding a good training plan. Step three: I followed the program. Step four: recording my workouts.

To my surprise, I enjoyed the training, pushing myself beyond what I thought were my limits. Following the roadmap was invaluable so I never had to “think” about what to do, I trusted the expert’s plan. The feeling of camaraderie and support from my teammates made all of the difference, especially on those days I did not feel like running!

On the morning of the run, I was a bit nervous, sort of like I used to feel before games. Could I really run 13 miles? Was I ready? We lined up in Union Square along with 20,000 other runners and the energy was unreal! I had to force myself not to start out too fast and lose steam! The energy of the event, the runners (and my adrenaline) helped the miles pass remarkably fast. There was music (including a gospel choir and bagpipes) and people cheering every couple of miles.

The run was absolutely breathtaking — a gorgeous loop around San Francisco, including Land’s End and Golden Gate Park, finishing at Ocean Beach.

It was a fabulous way to spend time with my teammates after all these years! And together we pushed each other to get in shape! We each had our own goals — Sonja Henning wanted to qualify for the NY Marathon and she did! Trisha Lamb wanted to beat 2 hours and she did! Ann Adkins wanted to complete her first half-marathon and she did!

And I wanted to run faster than an 8:30 pace and I did! I finished in 1:47!

Just finished!

Nick and Ann

Sonja

For anyone looking for motivation to exercise, I highly recommend getting a group of friends to commit to a race. It was just the motivation and accountability I needed to push myself. I can’t wait to do it again next year!

Playing Tennis With Some Legends!

2009-10-05T16:14:00.007-06:00

I had a blast yesterday at The Esurance Tennis Classic at Harbor Point in Mill Valley. Harbor Point is a spectacular location with a full view across the bay of San Francisco — gorgeous spot!

The tournament raises money for breast cancer and prostate cancer research. When I was invited to the event, I had no idea what I was in for! I had also just come off of a 10-day road trip, including events in both WNBA Finals cities.

Local resident Larry Goldfarb donated $50,000 to play with Steffi Graf against Andre Agassi — Andre won... The tennis was outstanding!!

Tracy Austin and Michael Chang had a team that competed against Andre and Steffi’s team. It was all fun and friendly! The players joked with the sold-out crowd and clearly had a great time.

Tennis legend Rosie Casals asked me to play next year. I told her I would need two or three lessons first. She said, “Well, Jennifer you will need a lot more than that!” Clearly I would play as a “celebrity” guest, not as a real player. My tennis game is much better than my golf game, but that’s not saying much.

I was also able to visit with Andre and Steffi. What impresses me most about them is how much they give to their communities. They use there celebrity to do amazing things, like Andre’s school in Las Vegas — Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.

He lit up like a proud father when he told me that they had recently raised $8 million for the school and this year they graduated there first senior class and they are all going to college!!! Amazing! What a great day...

Here I am with tennis great Brad Gilbert.

Mom's Workout: 4-Week Update

2009-10-05T10:33:00.008-06:00

I was in Salt Lake City for the weekend visiting my family and got the update on my Mom’s progress (here's the first blog).

Six weeks ago she had a routine blood test and her cholesterol was 285! She had two choices, medication or exercise. She chose exercise.

Five weeks ago, she committed to walking at least three times a week for at least 15-20 minutes. While that may not sound like a lot to some, it has made a big difference! She teaches school full time and it has been challenging to find the time and motivation at the end of a long day to walk.

I was able to join her on two walks and she is getting stronger and more fit each week! She will retest her cholesterol at Thanksgiving.

What a Celebration!

2009-10-02T10:26:00.000-06:00

This may be a little late, but I wanted to share the experience with my blog readers. I really enjoyed the USANA DC Celebration!

This was my first USANA event in DC. Dave Delevante did a wonderful job as the local host of the event! I got to spend some time with Dr. Peter Rugg and his wife and enjoyed getting to know them better.

USANA attracts such wonderful people! It is truly a testament to the associates and our management team (well and of course the world’s best products!!!) that we can have a record-breaking quarter in the midst of a recession. To quote Aaron Dinh “When the economy is down, USANA is up and when the economy is up, USANA is up even more!”

I am really excited about what the next year has in store for us! Thanks to Kelly Branan for the great photos!

WNBA Cares About Kids

2009-09-30T16:30:00.007-06:00

I was in Phoenix for the WNBA Final — Phoenix vs. Indiana. The game was outstanding!!! Phoenix won in overtime, 120-116. The skill level and scoring ability of both teams may be the best I have ever seen, and I am not easily impressed!

I was in town for our WNBA Cares event at the Lincoln Phoenix YMCA. Toyota, the Phoenix Mercury and the WNBA partnered for a $50,000 renovation of the reading and learning center at the “Y.”

I emceed the event and my good friend and colleague NBA Legend Bob Lanier came to support the cause. He is one of the most outstanding people I have ever met!

There were about 50 kids chosen based on their good grades to be a part of the program and to be the first to use the center. I love these events because the kids can’t stop smiling!

Golfing for a Great Cause

2009-09-22T10:33:00.003-06:00

I played in UCSF Medical Center’s Annual Golf Fundraiser at the Presidio in San Francisco. The tournament raises money for hospital programs, namely the UCSF Fetal Treatment Center, where they can do medical procedures on a fetus — miraculous stuff!!!

The tournament was a scramble, so we played the “best ball” on each shot. That’s my kind of golf — the game moves along and it creates a real team effort. I played with Jan Laret, Mark Laret’s (CEO UCSF Medical Center) wife. We had great conversation about healthcare and the future of medical treatments.

With Jan Laret

A breast cancer survivor, Jan is an outstanding woman whom I greatly admire. Fortunately our group was not too serious, so we had a lot of fun. I got an award (a new Blackberry) for the athlete with the “highest score.” I was really excited (thinking wow, my game has improved!!!) until I realized that the LOWEST score is the best!!! It was all in good fun as we did not even keep score...

Help Out Others by Volunteering

2009-09-16T13:13:00.002-06:00

I spoke to the Marin National Charity League at their annual Philanthropy Faire. There were 200 mothers and daughters at the event.

The Faire raises money and awareness for local charities. The mother/daughter teams also volunteer to help numerous organizations, ranging from local youth programs to planting trees in the GGNRA (Golden Gate National Recreation Area).

It was a pleasure to speak to the group! Volunteering is one of the most noble things we can do to improve life in our communities. I also believe “to whom much is given, much is expected.” I speak at charity events and give back because I have been blessed with success and I feel it is my duty to help. There is nothing better in life than using your success to lift others up.

We all have talents to make the world a better place! And we can ALL volunteer our time. I left the Faire motivated and inspired by all of the work the NCL is doing in our community!

Speaking at the Olympic Training Center

2009-09-12T14:26:00.007-06:00

I was the keynote speaker at the International Association of High Performance Training Centers in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center.

The participants at the IAHPTC convention were either directors or owners of High Performance Training Centers. Their mission is to provide Olympic-level athletes state of the art training facilities. My topic was “Leadership in Sports.”

It was great to be back in Colorado Springs at the USOTC. I spent a good bit of my career with USA Basketball training there. Prior to the Olympics in 1996, we used the facilities as our home base for 18 months (when we were not traveling all over the planet!).

When I arrived at the auditorium to speak, the 200 or so participants were in the middle of a session. I took a deep breath as I looked across the room. One word can sum it up — somber. I had to give myself a pep talk — “just have energy!” I love Paula Abdul’s advice to performers: "have passion and energy, that matters more than what you are doing.”

Passion and energy are the keys to a successful talk for me, too. As soon as I got the group interacting, they were fantastic! We had a great time especially when we shared ideas on “life after sports.” I got to meet some incredible people, namely Marcus Vinicius Freire, CEO of The Brazilian Olympic Committee, and others from Thailand, Uganda, and South Africa. It was a wonderful event!

With the Ugandan Directors

With the Thailand Directors

IAHPTC Owners and Directors

Mom's Workout: Day 1

2009-09-02T12:58:00.004-06:00

After the USANA convention in Salt Lake City, I visited with my parents who happen to live in Salt Lake. My mom shared that her cholesterol is 285!!! I have worried about her for years since the number one killer of women is heart disease and she has been relatively sedentary.

Her doctor told her she had two choices — medication or exercise. Well...my mom does not want to be on medication, so she is choosing to exercise.

I got her to commit to exercise (walking) 3 to 4 times a week (something she has never done!!). I hope her story will motivate other people who think it is too late to start exercising. It is never to late to take control of our health and our lives!

My Mom is keeping a calendar of her workouts and we are going to re-test her cholesterol at Thanksgiving. Go Mom!

USANA Convention is the Best!

2009-08-28T23:08:00.005-06:00

I am having a blast at USANA’s 2009 International Convention!!! This may be one of my favorite weeks of the year. All of us USANA crazy folks get together to learn and to have a lot of fun! Dr. Wentz spoke yesterday — what an amazingly brilliant scientist, leader and visionary.

Whenever I listen to him, I ask myself — why isn’t everyone taking USANA??? If you are considering USANA I highly recommend attending this event. The credibility is unbelievable!

World class scientists, world class athletes, world class Associates! As a passionate user of USANA products and as an Olympic athlete, I am thrilled at how we are growing and more and more people are discovering USANA! All athletes at every level should be on these products!

My role at convention was to speak and to host the athlete segment on the main stage. To see Derek Parra, Olympic Gold Medalist, and Werner Berger, 72-year-old climber, the oldest North American to climb the seven summits, talk about the difference USANA makes in their lives and their training, gives so much credibility to USANA!

And I am a walking product of the USANA products!

We had a blast on stage. Since not all of the USANA world class athletes could join us, we gave 750 flags to the audience to represent all the world class athletes out there taking USANA. 8,000 associates were on their feet cheering for our athletes! I also have been able to walk around and meet a lot of the new associates...I love their energy and enthusiasm!

An Exhilarating Experience at Indy Grand Prix

2009-08-24T15:36:00.016-06:00

I had a fantastic experience in Sonoma as Grand Marshal of the Indy Grand Prix on Sunday. I must admit I was a bit nervous for my 10-second “Drivers start your engines!”

I got to the track around 10 a.m. for a tour of the garages, the pit, and a wonderful debriefing about Indy from Vision Racing. It was an incredible look behind the scenes! I got to sit in the Vision Racing car sponsored by William Rast. Wow, that seat is compact! No wonder the drivers are all so small and fit!

After the tour I had a press conference and a couple of interviews. Shortly after, they brought around a portable stage (on a semi truck) in front of the grandstands to introduce the drivers and special guests. It was quite a production!

After my introduction I shook all of the drivers' hands as they were introduced — very cool. It felt familiar to me as I watched the focus and relaxed intensity on each drivers face as he or she walked across the stage.

From there I rode with the drivers in a cable car around the track — a very Bay Area thing to do! We hopped off the car and I headed to the starting line to start the race. Nervous time!!!

With cameras in my face, I practiced “Drivers start your engines!” a couple of times while I waited and everyone around me was laughing and giving me pointers. (I later found out that all of the Grand Marshals have been nervous and have also practiced their line!)

After saying my line, it was an all out sprint to the “pace car” to lead the drivers on the first lap. Man was it fast!!! After the lap, it was time to relax and watch the race up in the owner’s suite. At the conclusion of a great race, I helped present the trophy to Dario Franchitti (below). Barely missed getting sprayed by champagne!!!

Steve Page, President of Infineon Raceway, and Jerry Wheeler, Infineon Events Manager, were fabulous to work with! I highly recommend seeing racing events at Infineon. Yes, I have become a racing fan.

With Olympic Champion skater Kristi Yamaguchi.

With NFL legends Marcus Allen and Ronnie Lott.

The grandstand — lots of spectators!

Getting ready for the start of the race...so exciting!

It's Race Weekend!

2009-08-22T16:13:00.005-06:00

I had a great time at the Grand Prix Salute party at the Andretti Winery located in one of the most beautiful settings on earth — Napa Valley.

The party was a fundraiser for local youth charities, including the Andretti Foundation. The Indy drivers were there along with 300 special guests. Part of my duties as Grand Marshal of the Indy Grand Prix in Sonoma was going to this event — twist my arm!

I was put on the spot during the dinner when Steve Page, President of Infineon Raceway, handed me the microphone after introducing me as Grand Marshal. He asked for a preview of what I was going to say to start the race on Sunday.

Protocol for Indy races is “Drivers start your engines” rather than “Gentlemen start your engines.” So I sort of surprised myself by saying I was thrilled to say “Drivers” not just “Gentlemen.”

After meeting Danica Patrick, I realized how monumental and groundbreaking her presence is. For me this is not about men or women, but about people fulfilling their passion and their dreams and being grateful for opportunities to be his or her best. Danica is showing people what is possible and I have tremendous respect for her.

Here's some information about the Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, which takes place Sunday, August 23.

What: Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma
When: Aug. 21-23
TV: Versus, Sunday, Aug. 23, at 2 p.m. PT
2008 Winner: Helio Castroneves
Web Site: Infineon Raceway

Women's Professional Soccer

2009-08-19T13:39:00.003-06:00

I was asked to do the celebrity coin toss before the final game of the FC Gold Pride in its inaugural year of the WPS (Women's Professional Soccer) league. I was honored to be chosen for the final game. I must admit, my coin tossing skills are not too good! I flipped the half-dollar coin and it went straight up and straight down! We had to do a second toss — apparently a first! :)

Tonya Antonucci (above), the Commissioner of the WPS, has done an outstanding job getting the league up and running, especially during such a tough economy.

The WNBA (now in its 12th season) has paved the way for women’s professional sports and it is great to see the expanse of possibility for women athletes.

Visiting Vancouver

2009-08-17T13:29:00.002-06:00

I had a great time in Vancouver with the Raptors for a kids clinic and a 3 on 3 tournament. I was with Jay Triano, the Raptors head coach. We worked with local youth and spoke to them about the importance of working hard and having a vision for success.

Jay was fabulous to work with! For someone with his success both as a player and as a coach to be so humble was outstanding. I have been to Vancouver a number of times, but have never had time to enjoy the stunning scenery. It has to be one of the most dramatic, beautiful cities in the world! I love the way the Mountains fall into the sea. Simply gorgeous!

Senior Games Invocation

2009-08-10T10:53:00.006-06:00

I was honored to deliver the Invocation to the Athletes at the 2009 National Summer Senior Games. I must admit I was very nervous as I had never done an invocation before.

It had to be non-denominational and universal, so I chose to focus on the Olympic spirit as my theme. It was a very powerful experience for me to have such a huge responsibility — these Senior Games are very much like an Olympic Event and the “spirit” of the games was evident the second I walked into the arena and saw the 10,000 participants in attendance.

They have overcome so many obstacles to get to the Games! The organizing committee led by Anne Cribbs, Olympic Gold Medalist in 1960, incorporated Olympians throughout the event. Dick Fosbury, famous high jumper, carried the torch into the arena — I totally got chills!

I met Bruce Jenner and Steve Young in the green room prior to the event. They each had roles helping present to the athletes. It was a wonderful infusion of current and past great athletes and Olympians! I had a great time!

Carrying the Torch

2009-08-04T11:50:00.002-06:00

I carried the torch for the last leg of the torch relay for the Summer National Senior Games. There are 10,000 senior athletes from around the world competing in the Games here at Stanford from now until August 15. I was honored to be chosen as the last runner to pass the torch to the two athletes to light the cauldron to officially begin the Games.

When I got the torch, I had a flood of emotion as I remembered my experience as an Olympian watching the torch enter the Olympic Stadium in Atlanta. Crowds were cheering for me as I held the torch high—I had to hold back tears... It was more exciting than I ever imagined!

I have so much respect for the athletes! I hope to be where they are as I get older. They are role models for what’s possible at any stage of life.

Inspiring Women Luncheon

2009-08-03T09:28:00.002-06:00

I had the opportunity to meet Cokie Roberts, one of my role models, being honored at the Inspiring Women Luncheon in Chicago.

Cokie was extremely kind and genuine, and obviously brilliant. Her acceptance speech was one of the most compelling and well thought keynotes I have heard. She was able to weave in stories of women’s history making it relevant to where we are today.

We were able to speak for about 10 minutes prior to the luncheon. Somehow we ended up talking about what it means to be happy. And she taught me a valuable lesson. She said, “You know we talk about how to be happy, but that is a very privileged problem. Tell that to the person who is trying to have enough food, or is living in a war zone.”

I was amazed at how grounded she is. With all of her success, she remains compassionate and is committed to making the world a better place. It was a thrill to spend some time with her.

About Cokie Roberts
Cokie Roberts is a senior news analyst for NPR News, where she was the congressional correspondent for more than 10 years. In addition to her work for NPR, Roberts is a political commentator for ABC News, providing analysis for all network news programming.

From 1996-2002 she and Sam Donaldson co-anchored the weekly ABC interview program This Week. In her more than 40 years in broadcasting, she has won countless awards, including three Emmys. She has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as one of the fifty greatest women in the history of broadcasting.

An Awesome Experience

2009-07-29T09:13:00.001-06:00

On Monday, I had the awesome opportunity to visit the White House. I have been there twice before. Each visit has been spectacular!

The first visit was in 1990 with George Bush Sr. following our Stanford NCAA Championship. The second was with Bill Clinton just before the 1996 Olympics. President Clinton took our team into the Oval Office, talked with us at length, and escorted us on a run along the Potomac River. His memory is amazing—he recalled a conversation he had with one of my teammates a year prior to the visit!

The White House gate

Since 9/11 they no longer give public tours of the White House without advance notice, background checks and a lot of security. In keeping with White House tradition, teams that win major championships still get invited for a private event with the President.

Since the Detroit Shock won the 2008 WNBA Championship, they were invited to the White House by President Obama. As the WNBA Cares Spokesperson and Ambassador, I was part of the official group.

Meeting with the Boys & Girls Club

Each visit to the White House has been special for me, but there was something more transformational about this one.

As we toured the residence, the green room, the blue room, the red room, etc. and we saw the portraits of all of the past presidents and first ladies, it became clear how history has changed. I watched the inauguration last January and saw the millions gathered on the Mall to witness first hand the change we were all about to experience.

When President Obama spoke to us, I found him to be extremely compassionate, eloquent, articulate, prepared, and kind. He congratulated the Detroit Shock and spoke about how positive it is for his daughters to have role models in sports.

As he spoke, I was sitting in the front row, maybe 15 feet away. When he was finished speaking he shook the players' hands and then he walked straight over to me. I was shocked! We chatted briefly and then he spoke to Senator Carl Levin, who was seated next to me.

No matter what your political views may be, I found President Obama to be genuine and authentic. He is incredibly charismatic and he truly represents what is possible in America.

Sitting with Reneé Brown, WNBA Vice President of Player Personnel

WNBA All-Star Weekend

2009-07-27T09:45:00.000-06:00

I had the opportunity to attend the WNBA All-Star festivities over the weekend. What an amazing time!

In the above photo, I'm standing with Mike Thibault head coach of the WNBA's Connecticut Sun (2008 WNBA Coach of the Year) and two young ladies who introduced me at a WNBA Cares event.

Here I am working with kids as part of WNBA Cares Toyota Project Rebound in Windham, Conn. Toyota and the WNBA partnered to renovate the boys and girls club basketball court. It was gorgeous! I emceed the event and had the pleasure of working with the all stars on hand for the clinic — including 5-time all star Tamika Catchings.

Here's a photo of me and a Fox reporter at the WNBA All-Star Game.

It was a great weekend. I've got a ton of fun stuff coming up in the next little while, and I'll be sure to keep you all in the loop here. Thanks for reading.

Celebrating my Mom's 70th Birthday

2009-07-22T10:19:00.003-06:00

Mom, sister Susanne, me, and my niece, Alex

I was just in Salt Lake for my Mom’s 70th birthday. I can’t believe how amazing she is! She teaches school at Juan Diego in Draper, UT. She is one of the smartest people I have ever met!

We had a great time together with family and friends celebrating her special day. Both of my parents take USANA every day. They are so cute! And I am absolutely crazy about my niece, Alex.

Mom with Max

Mom and Dad—avid USANA users!!! Looking good at 70 and 72!!!

Mom, Alex and Family at The Wild Grape in Salt Lake

Me and Alex

Shooting a Video for USANA

2009-07-20T13:01:00.006-06:00

Just filmed video for USANA. It was nearly 90 degrees in the shade!!!

Brett Evans, a producer at USANA Studios, is so fantastic to work with! He made the filming easy for me, as he made me feel very comfortable and at ease. That's him behind the camera.

Alan Bergstrom, USANA VP of Customer Service, was on hand for the filming. Alan (in the photo below) works with USANA athletes. I have been so impressed with the caliber of Olympians, Olympic teams, and pro athletes, including the WTA, which are part of the USANA family. Here's a tip: Become a fan of the USANA Athletes Facebook page to keep updated on all their achievements.

Here's a short clip of what we were doing.

A Great Week at Camp

2009-07-08T09:20:00.005-06:00

I had a great time with the kids, 3rd-8th grade boys and girls, at my basketball camp last week.

Trooper Johnson, Paralympian, played one-on-one against the kids and never lost!!! Amazing skills!

Keith Smart spoke to the kids too. He is the assistant coach of the Golden State Warriors and played for Indiana University. He is known for his last-second buzzer beater against Syracuse to win the NCAA Championship in 1987.

I was very impressed with the staff and the kids. I even got out there and played. Camp brings out the kid in me! We had a fun and exciting week!!! Here are a few photos from the camp.

Trooper Johnson demonstrating his amazing skills.

Keith Smart talks to the campers.

Behind-the-Scenes at SaveMart 350

2009-06-22T06:15:00.001-06:00

As promised, here is some behind-the-scenes footage from Sunday's race.

Sunday in Sonoma: NASCAR!

2009-06-21T21:02:00.005-06:00

I got a chance to talk to Juan Pablo Montoya right before the race.

What a blast! I am a new NASCAR fan!

I went into this weekend totally ignorant about NASCAR as I had never been exposed to any events--and I leave with a great appreciation for the sport.

In the “behind the scenes” video (which I'll upload soon) I mentioned the number of laps that a car can go on a set of tires. I found out they last about 30 laps—I said 2. That is how little I knew going into this. They also cost about $1,700 per set!

I was able to stand right next to the Tony Stewart team and talk with their crew during the race. They were all so nice and obviously had a great performance!

As you'll see in the video, I was so close that my foot nearly got hit by a new tire they were putting on Tony’s car. They changed the tires in a flash!

Here are a few photos from Sunday's race (won by Kasey Kahne). Check back for the video!

Here I am talking to a TNT reporter.

Here you get a general sense of the excitement surrounding the race.

Lots of activity going on in the pits.

Here I am talking to members of Jimmie Johnson's crew before the start of the race.

Day 2 at NASCAR Races

2009-06-21T12:28:00.000-06:00

Another fun day at the track! I got to wave the famous checkered flag as one of the “VIPs” at the event. Who would have imagined that following my athletic career, I would be able to get to see such incredible events?

The NASCAR family has treated me so well, with so much respect. I can see why they have a reputation for being great with fans. Well, off to Infineon for the last day!

Day 1 at NASCAR is Awesome!

2009-06-20T16:19:00.008-06:00

Day 1 was awesome! I am not a likely NASCAR fan, mainly due to my ignorance about the sport. But I am learning so much during my weekend at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. I can’t believe the teamwork, coordination and precision that goes into absolutely everything!

I waived to flag to start the race and I also waved the checkered flag! All drivers have to qualify to race on Sunday (here's information about the Sprint Cup race), even if they have won all prior events.

I loved being right there by the “pit” with the drivers getting in and out of their cars. They are so calm and intense at the same time. I was also amazed with how fit they are! Excited to see more... Here are a few photos.

UPDATE: Here's the video...

As you'll see, I'm proudly wearing my USANA shirt everywhere!

The winner’s circle where the drivers get there awards and speak to the press.

Me and My friend Ryan Canepa.

Getting ready to wave the green flag!

Waving the green flag!

Me with NASCAR officials Rachal and Dan on the track.

NASCAR, Here I Come

2009-06-19T14:57:00.002-06:00

Just wanted to do a quick post: I am headed to NASCAR!

I have never been to an event and I am excited to wave the flag! I talked to a friend who lives in Napa and people are already lined up in their RV’s and having tailgate parties. Should be fun to see!

Here's some information about the race on Sunday (I'll actually be involved all weekend). It's the Toyota/SaveMart 350 at Infinion Raceway in Sonoma (not too far from where I live).

When: Sunday, June 21
Time: 5 p.m. ET
TV: TNT
Last Year's Winner: Kyle Busch

Look for me wearing a USANA shirt!

Returning to Jefferson

2009-06-19T08:09:00.001-06:00

This video shows our surprise visit to Jefferson Jr. High (now middle school). We had no idea if anyone would be there and we got lucky to find the team and my old coach Barry Haile there practicing. He has been there for 35 years!

The kids were great and I was surprised to see my #3 jersey and photos framed on the wall in the gym. I can’t remember the last time I was in that gym! Still looks the same...

Photos From the Trip Home

2009-06-18T08:25:00.000-06:00

OK, so I know I 'm kind of doing these out of order, but the events leading up to the actual induction ceremony were great, so I wanted to post some more photos from my return "home."

Getting ready for the 4K fundraiser race. Gotta have the Rev3!

Stanton Stevens, my Mom, Donna Azzi, Miss Mimms, and my Dad, Jim Azzi before the hall of fame induction ceremony.

My sister, Susanne Kramer. I was so happy she was there with me.

Fellow inductee Sonja Hogg. She was hilarious!

Carol Stiff of ESPN.

Vern Glenn, of Channel 4 in San Francisco, followed me around for a documentary.

The Class of 2009

2009-06-16T11:58:00.005-06:00

Induction night was wonderful. Each inductee and our escorts rode over from the hotel to the Bijou Theatre in a huge limo (you'll see in the video below).

My Dad seemed a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing. It was really fun to go over with everyone. We are all so different yet we were and are so passionate about the “game.”

When my Dad walked me to the stage, I had to really focus and take deep breaths to have the courage to get up on the stage. He was so cute!!!

Vern Glenn of Channel 4 in San Francisco followed me during the weekend for a documentary. Above is his video of my acceptance speech.

An Incredible Night

2009-06-16T08:12:00.004-06:00

What a night! My Dad escorted me to the stage for the hall of fame induction ceremony on Saturady. We have shared so much and he has always believed in me — even putting a hoop in our driveway when we could barely afford clothes.

My whole family was there. When I got to the stage to speak, I was literally speechless, doing my best to hold back the swell of emotion. Something took over me as I was standing there looking out into the very bright lights of the Bijou Theater. I had been in and out of tears all day. I have never felt more brave. There is no way to prepare for this kind of emotion.

I speak for a living and I am always prepared, but this was different. This was pure love and emotion coming out of me. There was so much love in the room, love for people, love for the game — Teresa Edwards, Pat Summitt, other legends in the game were all there. Many of the women were playing and making the game great when no one was watching.

I am so very blessed to have played when I did. I am so so lucky. I got a chance on stage to say “Thank You.”

Here are a few photos from the night. I'll have video of the amazing evening soon.

What an amazing class! It's an honor to be included in this group.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, center, one of the game's all-time greats.