Atlanta, Washington to play WNBA exhibition game in Eblen Center May 9
There will be a distinctly local flavor when the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics play a WNBA exhibition game in Tennessee Tech’s Eblen Center on Sunday, May 9, the first professional basketball game played in the arena.
Dream coached by Marynell Meadors;
Atlanta roster features UT stars Holdsclaw, Snow
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – There will be a distinctly local flavor
when the Atlanta Dream and the Washington Mystics play a WNBA
exhibition game in Tennessee Tech’s Eblen Center on Sunday,
May 9, the first professional basketball game played in the
arena.
Tipoff for the Mother’s Day contest is set for 3 p.m.
Atlanta head coach Marynell Meadors established the Tennessee Tech
women’s basketball program and served as head coach for 16
years, recording more then 350 career victories on her way to being
inducted in the TTU Sports Hall of Fame.
Her Dream roster features two former University of Tennessee
standouts, Chamique Holdsclaw and Michelle Snow.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to host
this event and to bring a WNBA game to this area of Tennessee which
is so tradition-rich in women’s basketball,” said Mark
Wilson, TTU Director of Athletics.
“It’s an opportunity for us to welcome back Marynell
Meadors as well as host a professional women’s basketball
game,” Wilson said.
While the WNBA regular season schedule was previously announced,
the league announced the preseason exhibition schedule
Thursday.
In her second season as General Manager and Head Coach of the
Dream, Meadors was named the WNBA Coach of the Year last season.
Prior to joining the Dream, Meadors spent the previous three
seasons as an assistant coach for the Washington Mystics. She has
also spent time with the Charlotte Sting and the Miami Sol of the
WNBA.
Meadors was a head coach at Tennessee Tech and Florida State for
a combined 30 years. She was the first head coach in Tech history,
establishing the women’s program and posting a .723 winning
percentage. She was twice named OVC Coach of the Year, leading Tech
to four Ohio Valley Conference championships and was the first
major women’s college coach to win 350 games at one
school.
“This will be a special game for our team and our staff, not
only because of my connections with Tennessee Tech but because
several players on our roster have ties to the area and have played
here before,” Meadors said. “For me, it will be a
really nice experience to walk out of the tunnel and onto the floor
of Eblen Center in front of the fans that have given me so many
wonderful memories.”
In addition to Holdsclaw and Snow, a few other names on the Dream
roster should be familiar from recent games against Tennessee Tech
including Ivory Latta of North Carolina, Angel McCoughtry of
Louisville and Coco Miller of Georgia.
First-year Golden Eagle coach Sytia Messer said she and the team
are also excited about the game, not only for the chance to watch
the Dream and Mystics, but to renew some old friendships.
“This game is going to be fun, not only for fans throughout
the region but for our staff and players,” Messer said.
“These are some of the best women’s basketball players
in the world, and to have the chance to see them playing on our
home floor is something special.”
One of the highlights of Messer’s career as a player at the
University of Arkansas was holding Holdsclaw to five points as the
Razorbacks upset the Lady Vols in an NCAA Tournament game.
“It was an exciting time, and I definitely remember that
game,” Messer said. “We’ve talked several times
since then and we’re still friends. I’m looking forward
to seeing her again.”
While WNBA fans come from a wide range of demographics, the games
are especially popular with women’s basketball players of all
ages. Tech and coach Messer are extending a special invitation to
girls playing on teams throughout the region.
“We’re placing a special emphasis on inviting girls
basketball teams of all ages, from youth teams to elementary school
teams to high school teams to come to this game and watch these
players,” Messer said.
The Mystics will also bring a powerhouse lineup to Eblen Center,
including players out of the top college programs in the nation,
headlined by Alana Beard from Duke.
Reserved seat tickets for the game are $10 each, and specially
discounted tickets are also available including a Mothers’
Day Family 4-Pack for $30, a savings of $10.
Tech students, faculty and staff may purchase tickets for $5 each.
Group tickets are also available for all basketball teams including
youth, elementary school and high school teams for $5 each when
bought in advance. Tickets for the game are being sold through the
Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center or by calling (931)
372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online (click here) at TTUsports.com.
For additional information on ordering tickets or on the discounts
available, contact the TTU Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center.
