Press

Less than two weeks prior to the 2001 Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award banquet, the format for presenting the award was changed due to unforeseen circumstances. The WNBA slated their two-day tryouts in Chicago on April 6th and 7th. "Three of our four finalists are seniors who are expected to attend the WNBA tryouts. Our concern was the ability to honor the winner at a ceremony here in Detroit", stated Chris Flynn, award co-chair. "The previous award format had all four finalists attend the banquet with the winner not known until the noon event. ãIt was necessary to open the sealed envelope and announce the Associated Press Sportswriters pick of the top point guard now so we could properly schedule honoring the winner whether on April 7th or another date." stated Flynn.

This year's 2001 Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award winner is Sue Bird from the University of Connecticut. This is Sueâs second consecutive year of winning the award. Sue, a junior, is a top 15 finalist for the 2000-2001 Naismith Player of the Year, named Associated Press Third Team All-American, and named to the All-Big East First Team. She led the team in minutes played, assists and steals. Sue, this season, helped lead Connecticut back to The Final Four. Connecticut finished with a 32-3 record.

The other three finalists (in alphabetical order) are: 1. Niele Ivey Notre Dame 2. Kelly Miller Georgia 3. Jackie Stiles SW Missouri St. The award ceremony, sponsored by The Rotary Club of Detroit, will remain a noon banquet at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on April 7, 2001. The program will be inspiring and entertaining. Donna Lopiano, Executive Director of the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be the keynote speaker with other nationally recognized dignitaries including Nancy Lieberman-Cline in attendance. Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV (Detroit), will host the event. Monies raised will be directed to two very important organizations: the American Cancer Society and the Womenâs Sports Foundation. Monies to the American Cancer Society will be used for direct support of various breast cancer initiatives. Monies to the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be used to help create an educated public that encourages participation in female athletics and supports gender equality in sport. You can visit the official Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award website at (www.pointguard.org). Questions should be directed to Chris Flynn, award co-chair, at (313)824-4264 or e-mail at (quietco@aol.com).

The 2001 Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award enters its second year and continues building national recognition. The award is a national project of the Rotary Club of Detroit honoring the nationâs top collegiate point guard in womenâs Division I basketball. The criterion for the award is the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Nancy Lieberman-Cline during her career. The AP sportswriters from across the country have nominated the four finalists listed below. The top honor will not be announced until the April 7th noon banquet. The Rotary Club of Detroit announced today: AP Sportswriterâs 4 Finalists (in alphabetical order) PLAYER SCHOOL 1. Sue Bird Connecticut 2. Niele Ivey Notre Dame 3. Kelly Miller Georgia 4. Jackie Stiles SW Missouri St. Last yearâs inaugural award and ceremony was a great success. Sue Bird, of the NCAA Champion University of Connecticut Huskies, received this top honor.
This yearâs award will be presented at a noon banquet at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on April 7, 2001. The program will be inspiring and entertaining. Donna Lopiano, Executive Director of the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be the keynote speaker with other nationally recognized dignitaries including Nancy Lieberman-Cline in attendance. Devin Scillian of WDIV-TV will host the event. Monies raised will be directed to two very important organizations: the American Cancer Society and the Womenâs Sports Foundation. Monies to the American Cancer Society will be used for direct support of various breast cancer initiatives. Monies to the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be used to help create an educated public that encourages participation in female athletics and supports gender equality in sport. You can visit the official Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award website at (www.pointguard.org). Questions about the award, banquet tickets, sponsorships, or the banquet itself should be directed to Chris Flynn, award co-chair, at (313)824-4264 or e-mail at (quietco@aol.com)
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The Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award enters its second year and continues building national recognition. The award is a national project of the Rotary Club of Detroit honoring the nationâs top collegiate point guard in womenâs Division I basketball. The criterion for the award is the floor leadership, play-making and ball-handling skills that personified Nancy Lieberman-Cline during her career. The AP sportswriters from across the country will nominate the finalists and eventual winner. The Rotary Club of Detroit announced today: AP Sportswriterâs Top 10 Nominees (in alphabetical order)

PLAYER/SCHOOL
1. Sue Bird Connecticut
2. Stacey Dales Oklahoma
3. Niele Ivey Notre Dame
4. Sheila Lambert Baylor
5. Kara Lawson Tennessee
6. Brandi McCain Florida
7. Kelly Miller Georgia
8. Tasha Pointer Rutgers
9. Georgia Schweitzer Duke
10. Jackie Stiles SW Missouri St.

Last year's inaugural award and ceremony was a great success. Sue Bird, of the NCAA Champion University of Connecticut Huskies, received this top honor. This year's award will be presented at a noon luncheon at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center on April 7, 2001. The program will be inspiring and entertaining. Donna Lopiano, Executive Director of the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be our keynote speaker with other nationally recognized dignitaries including Nancy Lieberman-Cline in attendance. Monies raised will be directed to two very important organizations: the American Cancer Society and the Womenâs Sports Foundation. Monies to the American Cancer Society will be used for direct support of various breast cancer initiatives. Monies to the Womenâs Sports Foundation will be used to create an educated public that encourages participation in female athletics and supports gender equality in sport. You can visit the official Conseco Nancy Lieberman-Cline Step Up Award website at (www.pointguard.org). Questions about the award, banquet tickets, sponsorships, or the banquet itself please contact Chris Flynn, award co-chair, at (313)824-4264 or e-mail at quietco@aol.com.