Sheryl+Swoopes

=** __Sheryl Swoopes__ **=




 * Bio**

[|Sheryl Swoopes] was born March 25, 1971 in Brownfield, Texas. She was born Sheryl Denise Swoopes. Brownfield was a small city, population 10,000, compared to the kind of impact she would make in the basketball and athletic world. Swoopes’ parents were divorced before her first birthday. She grew up with her mother and three older brothers who she credits for her high level of skill in the game of basketball. She was inspired by her mother Louise because she raised four children on her own. Sheryl was recruited by the University of Texas a major college basketball program. She received a full scholarship to play but due to homesickness she left four days after arriving on campus. Many told her that he basketball career was over with this decision. She then enrolled at South Plains Junior College because it was closer to her home. In 1991 she enrolled at[|Texas Tech University]. In her senior year she with Texas Tech she beat the University of Texas and advanced to the final with Ohio State defeating them to win the collegiate championship. She scored a record breaking 47 points that game.


 * Carrer Highlights**

Sheryl won the[|NCAA] women's basketball championship for Texas Tech University in 1993. She played basketball internationally in the women's Italian professional league. She won three gold medals on the olympic team 1996, 2000, and 2004. She was one of the first women drafted to play in the WNBA in 1997. She won four consecutive [|WNBA] titles with the Houston Comets 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000. She was named WNBA's Most valuable Player in 2000, 2002, and 2005. Won the 2001 ESPY for Women's Pro Basketball player of the year. Won defensive player of the year 2000, 2002, and 2003. Named to ALL- WNBA first team five times. In 2005 ALL- Star game MVP. Has a recorded eight 30 point games and 14 triple doubles (first feamle to have a triple double).


 * Contribution**

Sheryl Swoopes was considered the female Micheal Jordan and was even given her own shoe line Air Swoopes. Despite her skill after college there were no basketball opportunities for female athletes. People told her that if she was a man she would have been drafted right out of college. Swoppes felt like this was unfair, women needed more oportunities. In 1997, three years after she graduated college the WNBA was created and she was one of the first women signed to play in the league. She is today considered a pioneer for the league. Along with air Swoopes shoes and the summer olympics she promoted the league and women's basketball. Her charisma and talent gained her popularity along with the league. Now with a league to play in the Jordan of her league she was not pid as much as him and this upsets her also. She believes it unfair and unfortunate that the salaries of men and women athletes are extremely different. Swoopes became a role model for all women including her books __Bopunce Back__, __Hoops with Swoopes__, and featrued in __Sport Heroes__ and __Women Who Win__. Swoopws being a pioneer was also one of the first athletes still in th elimelight of her career to announce that she was a lesbian. She also stated that she was not born gay and it had nothing to do with her divorce. Sheryl Swoopes formed The Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth and participates in the [|WNBA Cares] foundation.
 * Legacy**

Sheryl Swoopes grew up in a small town with only a mother and three older brothers to become something great. she impacted women's basketball in a phenomenal way. She raised the profile of female athletes. she was a pioneer in the league and helped to become what th eleague is today. She had extreme talent and skill which made her become the greatest female basketball player in the world. She spoke about the differences between male and female athletic difference i noportunities and salaries. She had charisma and a presence that put female athletes in a good light and she she made the biggest step of all by taking the risk and coming out that she ws gay. She wanted to break barriers and clear paths in order to idolize female athletics and being gay okay. She has taught me and many others that speaking your mind does affect change and to always follow your dreams but with hard work too.


 * Work Cited**

[|**http://www.answers.com/topic/sheryl-swoopes**] [|**http://www.wnba.com/playerfile/sheryl_swoopes/bio.html**]

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