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Chamique Holdsclaw used a basketball forum Wednesday to deliver a life lesson.
The Tennessee Lady Vols legend was the featured speaker for the Big Orange Tipoff Club's final gathering of the season. She took the microphone in hand and spoke in a frank, sometimes emotional manner about battling depression and surviving a suicide attempt.
"The greatest impact I'm making is by using my voice,'' she said. "Of course that voice wouldn't be here without (me) having done tremendous things on a basketball court."
Holdsclaw was a four-time All-American at Tennessee and helped lead the Lady Vols to three consecutive national championships (1996-98). UT coach Pat Summitt and her coaching staff were in attendance Wednesday. So were the coaching staff's three secretaries — Katie Wynn, Cindy Connatser and Alberta Randles.
Holdsclaw still is Tennessee's all-time scoring leader with 3,025 points. She will be honored as an SEC great during the league's women's basketball tournament next week in Nashville. During the question-and-answer portion of Wednesday's program, she mentioned this honor and jokingly said, "It's going to be great sitting up there on that podium and looking at all the butts I kicked."
Holdsclaw came to UT from Astoria, N.Y., largely because of the relationship Summitt developed with Holdsclaw's grandmother, June. She told her granddaughter: "Chamique, across my dead body are you going to any other school."
Holdsclaw recalled how her life began to unravel after June died of a heart attack in 2002. She went through a lengthy battle with depression. She said that she attempted suicide by taking an overdose of antidepressant medication in 2006. At the time, she was trying to make a WNBA comeback with Los Angeles. Holdsclaw recalled hallucinating about "a cowboy with a lasso chasing me."
"When you keep stuff inside, it festers, it builds up,'' she said. "But as soon as you get it off your shoulders. It's like, it was like the rebirth of Chamique."
Holdsclaw began to find her voice through a speaking tour she participated in pertaining to mental health issues. She's now written and self-published a book about her life and has become a spokesperson for "Active Minds," a mental health organization that Holdsclaw said has chapters on 300 college campuses.
"I know you guys probably thought I was going to talk about jump shots and scoring all those points,'' Holdsclaw said. "... Nothing feels as good as the work that I'm doing now because I'm touching lives."
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Comments » 8
formerflgranny writes:
God bless you Chamique Holdsclaw, you are the greatest!
PureOrange writes:
As Bob Hope would say, "Thanks for all the memories, Chamique". You did, and are doing, Tennessee proud.
Clarkrm0706 writes:
Got my support CH (for what it's worth) :)
ps11824 writes:
When Lady Vols' hoops was at it's peak it was because of Chamique. She did kick some butt, she was not reluctant to take the team on her shoulders...whatever she had to do.
Last Sunday's incident with Glory's T reminded me of Mique when Lady Vols played Boston College at TBA, a shorter player was attempting to guard Mique by hounding her a little too close. The defender's face was about even with Mique's chest. Mique, cool as cucumber, just pulled the ball up over her head and conked her defender on her forehead. It drew a T, but it was so funny, and it proved a point. Back off.
Holdsclaw was the best, smoothest (like silk) with the ball in her hands, beautiful jump shot, rebounding machine, and most confident Lady Vol ever to wear the Orange, IMHO. Mique HATED to lose. Candace Parker was a close second.
madrigal writes:
Chamique is and always was a classy lady. I'm glad she has found her voice and is using her experience for good. Still love you, Chamique!
BigRMan writes:
Chamique has overcome her demons largely due to the tremendous reserves of strength given her by her association with Coach Summitt and the upbringing she received from her Grandmom. She had to learn not to bottle up feelings and emotions and that emotional release was healthy for her. I think Tamika Catchings was better adjusted mentally that Chamique was during both players professional years, maybe because she had the benefit of a full time mother & father, I'm not sure. None the less Chamique is using her life's experiences to send messages and change lives for the better to all who will listen. She made one mistake with the ball tap on the opposition's forehead in the pro ranks. She tried it on Cynthia Cooper in '99 in the waning minutes at the Verizon Center. Coop got the last shot, the Comets cleared the side for Coop to take 'Mique one on one. The then reigning WNBA MVP drained a three and Houston defeated Washington 72-69. I still have much respect for the progress'Mique has made and her dedication to humanity
ps11824 writes:
I love a good Mique story from a good Mique fan.
BigRMan writes:
You don't have to be meek to be a 'Mique fan! (LOL)
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