2008 Woodie Awards
Pat Summit, Lady Vols capture eighth national title
Doug Feinburg
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports
With the game in hand and a minute left, Candace Parker went to the Tennessee bench for the final time, holding up four fingers on each hand to signify the eight titles the Lady Vols have won.
Parker came to Tennessee four years ago with one goal in mind: Restore the Lady Vols back to the Rocky Top.
A bruised and braced Parker scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Tennessee capture its eighth NCAA women's basketball title with a 64-48 victory over Stanford on Tuesday night. The Lady Vols also became the first repeat champs since Connecticut won three straight from 2002-04.
"One is disputable, but two, you can't stumble onto two national championships, so we're pretty good.
"We got two championships together, Parker said. "It's a remarkable feeling to walk off the court for the last time and hug your coach. I'm completely different than I was when I came in."
The Lady Vols will lose the starting five to graduation, but they have left a remarkable legacy. Before the back-to-back championships, Tennessee had gone nine years without a title.
"I'm just really proud, and obviously it's a happy but sad time with the seniors leaving," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "I will always have tremendous respect for the mark they left on our program."
Parker will leave the Lady Vols (36-2) with a year of eligibility remaining, but has accomplished one of her goals by winning multiple national titles.
"You know, it's funny because some players don't get one, and I'm fortunate enough to have two," The Associated Press player of the year said.
Parker also became the fourth player to win back-to-back Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four honors. She joined Connecticut's Diana Taurasi (2003-04), Tennessee's Chamique Holdsclaw (1997-98), and Southern Cal's Cheryl Miller (1983-84).
"I look back at my growth not only as a player, but also just as a person and I feel like it's been the best four years of my life," Parker said. "I wouldn't change anything about it. I love my teammates and I'm just very, very fortunate to have won two national championships."
Parker came to Tennessee four years ago with one goal in mind: Restore the Lady Vols back to the Rocky Top.
A bruised and braced Parker scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help Tennessee capture its eighth NCAA women's basketball title with a 64-48 victory over Stanford on Tuesday night. The Lady Vols also became the first repeat champs since Connecticut won three straight from 2002-04.
"One is disputable, but two, you can't stumble onto two national championships, so we're pretty good.
"We got two championships together, Parker said. "It's a remarkable feeling to walk off the court for the last time and hug your coach. I'm completely different than I was when I came in."
The Lady Vols will lose the starting five to graduation, but they have left a remarkable legacy. Before the back-to-back championships, Tennessee had gone nine years without a title.
"I'm just really proud, and obviously it's a happy but sad time with the seniors leaving," Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said. "I will always have tremendous respect for the mark they left on our program."
Parker will leave the Lady Vols (36-2) with a year of eligibility remaining, but has accomplished one of her goals by winning multiple national titles.
"You know, it's funny because some players don't get one, and I'm fortunate enough to have two," The Associated Press player of the year said.
Parker also became the fourth player to win back-to-back Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four honors. She joined Connecticut's Diana Taurasi (2003-04), Tennessee's Chamique Holdsclaw (1997-98), and Southern Cal's Cheryl Miller (1983-84).
"I look back at my growth not only as a player, but also just as a person and I feel like it's been the best four years of my life," Parker said. "I wouldn't change anything about it. I love my teammates and I'm just very, very fortunate to have won two national championships."
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