The definition of sportsmanship.

Let's just speak hypothetically for a moment. Say you were a soldier. A good soldier stationed in South Korea. You and your wholesome friends decide to have a weekend getaway. Somehow you pass out and awake to find yourself stuck in a turtle ditch. But you're not alone. There's a Newport smelling stranger weaved between you and the drain. You wonder to yourself, "I'm not sure how this is going to play out but damn, how did it all begin?" That's kinda the mentality I had when I began this blog three short weeks ago. I jumped into the examples without presenting a definition upfront. Well, take a look at the woman in the picture. Don't tell me you need more. Here's some text to accompany the living, breathing example: F-E-L-I-S-H-A. That's Mrs. Felisha Legette-Jack!

She exhibits fairness in following the rules of basketball and I've had the pleasure of knowing her for 32 years. Our mothers were co-workers at a CNY hospital. That meant our paths would cross during summer cookouts and funerals. A silhouette of us must have resembled Willy Wonka beside an umpa lumpa. Our Virgo bond allowed us to get along despite a three year age difference and a mere two or three feet height difference. Let's fast forward to Nottingham High School in 1984. I was a Freshman on the JV squad while she was the Captain of Varsity. Muscle covered her once fragile frame and she was a force to be reckoned with under the boards. The coach, Ms. Spease, was demanding and obnoxious. But, like Joe Jackson, she molded talent and developed a star studded team. They won two State Championships.

After Nottingham, she went to the best college in the developed world--Syracuse University. That was when I officially crossed the line from friend to fan. Her respect for her opponent and the game was evident every time she stepped on the court. It reminded me of a Mike Singletary quote: "do you know what my favorite part of the game is? The opportunity to play." She was named Rookie of the Year in 1985. By the time she graduated she was 2d leading scorer and all time leading rebounder for SU women.

Since there wasn't a WNBA established, it was logical that she turned to coaching after college. She was a high school coach from 1989-91; the following two years an Assistant coach at Boston College; back to her alma mater as an Assistant coach from 1993-2000; Michigan State from 2000-2002; Hofstra from 2002-2006; and currently at Indiana University. Now don't think she went to all these places and just collected a paycheck. She guided Hofstra to one of its best seasons and has taken the Hoosiers to back-to-back 18+ season wins. Plus, they had to two trips to the postseason. One of those little known facts about her is she was a double major in college (child/family studies and psychology). As a coach at SU, she was credited with 100% graduation rate of the players. The lady gives all she has on and off the court.

Felisha is married and has a son. I strayed away from that because she's an incredibly private person. Considering how available she makes herself for members of the community, I think she should be able to have her own space. And she'd probably kick my pygmy ass if I did step out of line! Just kidding. She's a good-hearted person. She's gracious as a winner or loser. She transcended gender and racial barriers because of her attitude along with athleticism. I hope sharing her story makes another competitor stronger from beginning to end.