Matt Couvillion named assistant coach at Jacksonville State

Jacksonville State Head coach Annette Watts has rounded out her first coaching staff at Jacksonville State after the hiring of assistant Matt Couvillion, the first-year head coach announced earlier in the week. Matt was a former manager for LSU Lady Tigers.

Couvillion brings experience from all levels to the Gamecocks after serving two seasons as graduate assistant and video coordinator for head coach Niya Butts’ staff at Arizona. While with the Wildcats, Couvillion handled all aspects of film exchange and breakdown, while also coordinating practice players. While in Tucson, he received his master’s degree in teaching and teacher education.

“Matt comes to us after spending two seasons with All-American Niya Butts at Arizona,” Watts added. “He brings energy, hunger and a desire to learn to our coaching staff.”

Prior to joining the staff at Arizona, Couvillion spent the 2007-08 season as an assistant coach for the men’s program at Loyola University ion New Orleans. He was responsible fo on-court coaching, film exchange, video breakdown and apparel ordering and distribution. During his stay he helped the Wolfpack to a 16-13 record, their best since 1972.

A native of Plaucheville, La., and a 2007 graduate of LSU, Couvillion spent three seasons as a student manager with the Tigers’ women’s program. He assisted the coaching staff in the organization and set up of practice, clock management, equipment management and interaction with the booster club.

He also has experience coaching in the YMCA youth basketball and Big Buddy programs in Baton Rouge, La. He coordinated both flag football and basketball schedules for inner city youth teams while also coaching a team in each program.

At JSU, Couvillion will be in charge of guard development, while also handling travel arrangements and equipment.

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Filed under  //  Alumni  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek serves as official blog for White House website

During yesterday's visit to the White House, Temeka Johnson got to serve as the official blogger for the Mercury's visit on the White House' official page:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/20/honoring-wnba-champion-phoenix-mercury

Here is what she had to say but click on the link above for the original story along more photos and video.

Ed. Note: Yesterday President Obama honored WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury at the White House. In his remarks, the President congratulated the team on winning their second WNBA title and thanked them for their extraordinary service. The team is committed to serving the Phoenix community -– from putting on basketball camps for children of veterans to collecting clothes for the homeless. Yesterday, the team continued that commitment at the White House by holding a clinic as part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to help young people live healthy and active lives. We caught up with Phoenix Mercury point guard Tameka Johnson following her visit. Here is what she had to say:

Today’s experience at the White House is hard to put into words, but if I could use one word, it would be inspiring! My Phoenix Mercury teammates and I were honored by President Obama and his administration for winning the 2009 WNBA Championship. It was a great experience and a moment a lot of us have been waiting for. You play to win championships, but to be honored by our President is a dream come true. This is not a dream that we normally have, but it feels like the icing on the cake. We are all inspired to do it again and get back here this time next year!

In just a few hours, my teammates and I learned so much. Seeing the Vermeil Room, the Blue Room, the Red Room, etc., and learning about the history and all that has gone on in the White House was amazing. Forgive me if I use “amazing” too many times in this blog! LOL – Seriously, this has been amazing.

To see how much this administration is involved in community service is beautiful to witness. Everyone knows that in my spare time I’m devoted to helping others through my Heaven Opens People’s Eyes (HOPE) Foundation, so being able to participate in a basketball clinic for children on the White House courts was an experience that’s hard to capture in this blog.

Playing with the kids and my teammates, it felt so natural. It’s important for us to address the challenge of childhood obesity by staying active. Whether it’s a jog through the park, shooting hoops, or spending a few hours outside playing with your friends rather than inside watching TV or playing video games, it all matters. Let’s Move! is a great initiative that our First Lady has started, and I’m glad to be a part of it. Staying active is part my new children’s book, Meek Moments! It’s a lifestyle, not a recess break! Let’s Move America! We can fight childhood obesity, one activity at a time!

President_obama_shakes_hands_with_temeka_johnson

Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Syl jumps from 7th to 4th in MVP Power Rankings

By Frank Della Femina, WNBA.com:

I said last week that Chicago's playoff hopes rest on the shoulders of Sylvia Fowles. Consider the team's three-straight wins, Fowles' two-straight double-doubles and her double-figure scoring in every single game and try to convince me otherwise. The league-leading shot blocker does it all. Points? She'll score em. Rebounds? She'll grab em. Free throws? She'll make em. And right now the Sky will take anything and everything Fowles is willing to give, which if you haven't noticed by now is her all. It's been a career year for Fowles so far and it's only bound to get better. Cracking the postseason for the first time in franchise history will no doubt be the icing on the cake. A championship, of course, would be the cherry on top.

Read the entire rankings: http://bit.ly/cIBU6h

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Filed under  //  Alumni   Sylvia Fowles   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek's White House visit represented more than just a special moment

BOB STARKEY: As a coach, it was an extremely proud moment for me to see Temeka at the White House, visiting with President Obama.  To many it looked like a very special moment but to me it was a process-related event.  It was yet another indicator of what an individual can accomplish regardless of circumstances.  Temeka spending and afternoon at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue was accumulation of years of hard work -- both on the court and in the classroom.  It shows a tremendous vision on her part.  Visiting the White House was simply something that she had dreamed about only to wake up and go to work towards achieving that dream.  For Meek, it was also about overcoming barriers.  Many thought her too short to play high school basketball, must less elite college level basketball and then professional basketball.  And what those few special moments depicted yesterday was dedication, commitment, and overcoming adversity.  And for so many she had created a road map for them to follow and given them some that is very special to her -- HOPE!

Video of Meek at the White House: http://ht.ly/2dEfv

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Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Temeka Johnson, Living The Obama Dream

The following comes from writer Seth Pollack of the Desert Dirt in Arizona:

Winning a championship in sports comes with a lot of perks. You get your ring. You get a banner. You might even get a trip to Disneyland. But without question, the biggest bonus has to be a trip to the White House to meet the President.

There's only one professional basketball team from Arizona who's had that thrill and today they are making a return visit. But this time instead of a Texas oilman greeting them, the Phoenix Mercury will be meeting one of their heroes: President Barak Obama.

In the Mercury locker room near the door is a monthly calendar showing game and practice dates, perhaps a team meeting, the things you might expect a team calendar to contain.

On today's date it simply reads, "Obama".

Star-divide

Mercury point guard Temeka Johnson is one of my all-time favorite athletes. At 5-foot-3 she's one of the shortest players in the WNBA but competes with the ferocity of lion. She understands the game as well as anyone and is destined to coach someday if that's where her heart leads. Of the court, the Meek's Hope Foundation embodies her dedication to helping those around her and is driven by her passion and tenacity and not by a multi-million dollar contract. 

When I think of President Obama's message of hope, there's no athlete that embodies that spirit more than Johnson. I imagine when these two meet today there will be an immediate connection and recognition of similar values, iron will and common purpose.

"A lot of people ask this question about what it means to me," Johnson said about the visit. "I remember my grandfather, my great-grandmother, my Grandmother - they never even thought this day would ever come. For me to actually see him and meet him first hand is a huge honor for me, an unforgettable moment. And to go for the reason we're going, everybody doesn't get that opportunity either."

Congratulations to Temeka and the entire 2009 Phoenix Mercury team.

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Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek Visits The White House: Blog Entry #5

TEMEKA JOHNSON: One thing that President Obama said to us that stood out and made us feel good was  "As a father, I thank you for being great role models."  Now that gives us a little perspective as to what we do.  Time to get out of the dress clothes and get into our "work clothes."

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Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek Visits The White House: Blog Entry #4

TEMEKA JOHNSON: Had blast at the White House, the kids were cool and the event went well. We were on the White House court.  Truly blessed! Now it's time for us to host a special WNBA Fit Clinic and join forces with Let’s Move! – a national campaign led by First Lady Michelle Obama.  Excited about being a part of a program to solve the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that kids born today reach adulthood at a healthy weight.

Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek's White House Visit Blog: Entry #3

TEMEKA JOHNSON: Just finished viewing the Vermeilr Room for the ladies to rest and clean up. Very nice!

White House library right now, where the president does some of his interviews her i.e Larry king live!

Now in the Blue Room used for main reception room of the white house, President Hoover is the only president to be married in here.

The Red Room that we are in now where the foreign head of states are met another business room the first ladies really liked this room!

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Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Meek's White House Visit Blog: Entry #2

TEMEKA JOHNSON: All dressed and ready to head down in a few. Very excited about all of this!

On the bus headed to white house now. I must say that we all clean up very well. Maz and coe is here also gr8 to see them.

Meek_at_whitehouse

Filed under  //  Alumni   Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Watch Former Lady Tiger PG Temeka Johnson Visit The White House At 12:40 p.m. CT

Former LSU Lady Tiger point guard Temeka Johnson is visiting The White House today along with her WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury.

President Barack Obama will welcome the team at 12:40 p.m. CT and you can watch it live here courtesy of The White House’s streaming video:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/live

Posted by Bill Martin