Chamique Holdsclaw’s story is one that a takes a young girl in the projects of New York City to the world stage through basketball. The sport fell into her lap when her Grandma allowed her to be on the courts which she could see her from the apartment. At 5’10 and entering high school she sat on the bench, but for the Christ the King HS Varsity. Four state championships followed with Chamique being named High School All American. She shares how not everyone can go from playground ball to collegiate ball and how she was one of the lucky ones. It was Pat Summit’s connection with Chamique’s Grandma that led her to Tennessee where she led the Lady Vols to three nationals championships. Chamique shares what it takes to go undefeated

and then her pride in winning the 1998 Honda Cup. She also takes us on a journey through her 10 year WNBA career; the 2000 Olympics and later how she faced mental health issues. She describes what she learned from her coaches through her competitive years and especially the tough love of Pat Summit.

Chamique shares not only the trials of mental illness but also the hope as she credits the changes in the past 10 years where athletes have more support, not just for their bodies but their minds and hearts and where science acknowledges the chemical imbalances at its root. She believes that so many people with the genetic component of anxiety, depression or bipolar diagnoses need kindness, understanding and engagement. And we need to talk about it. She joined her sorority sisters at Alpha Kappa Alpha in wearing pearls and Converse for the inauguration of sorority sister VP Kamala Harris.  Chamique discusses the life lessons from sport that one learns and how it relates to her present serving as a mental health advocate while raising her 16 month old son with spouse Cara.

Host: Chris Voelz

For more information about The Collegiate Women's Sports Awards visit https://collegiatewomensportsawards.com/.