Lady Tigers Meet Up in France

The following post and photos come from Lady Tiger Temeka Johnson who is playing overseas and ran into another Lady Tiger Hanna (Biernacka) Bouldwin thousands of miles from Baton Rouge where they once played together:

"It was so great seeing Hanna and reminiscing about the days we had at LSU. With all the years that past between us, it was still old times. Hanna has grown so much and her and her husband Maurice are making it slowly but surely over here in France. The Lady Tiger Love is strong and like the picture shows, it goes along way."

 

Filed under  //  Off the Court   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek named 28th on list of great Tigers the past decade

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From andthevalleyshook.com, Temeka Johnson was named 28th on their list of 30 greatest Tigers of the last decade:


Temeka Johnson is the greatest point guard in LSU's history. She won the Lieberman Award her senior year, 2005, awarded to the nation's top point guard. She guided LSU to the Final Four every year she was a starter, and graduated with just about every record for assists one can imagine. She went on to the WNBA success and won a national title with the Mercury.

So let's look at the great things Temeka did for the program. First and foremost among them, she arrived as a partial qualifier in 2000 and was therefore required to sit out the 2000-2001 season. Instead of compalining, Temeka worked hard in the classroom and graduated in August of 2004, earning an extra year of eligibility.

And what an extra year. Johnson did everything she could to avenge that loss in 2004, and earned the aforementioned Liberman Award and All-American honors en route to setting the SEC record for career assists. Beware arbitrary end points, but LSU's media guide notes she is the only player in LSU history with 1000 points, 500 assists, and 50 rebounds. Which is even more absurd when you think that she was a small 5'3".

On a team dominated by the frontcourt stars, Johnson's guiding hand kept the team on track. She was overshadowed by Augustus and Fowles, but she was every bit as important of a cog in those great teams. No, they never won the national title, but consistent greatness is never truly appreciated. Four straight Final Fours is a tremendous accomplishment, one that was made possible by the greatest point guard we ever had the good fortune to have.

Filed under  //  Media   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Temeka Johnson to appear on The Van Chancellor Show

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BATON ROUGE -- Former LSU Lady Tiger point guard and 2009 WNBA champion Temeka Johnson will join LSU head coach Van Chancellor at 7 p.m. CST Monday for “The Van Chancellor Show presented by Capital One Bank” from Walk-On’s Bistreaux & Bar at the corner of Burbank and Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge.


The special Monday night edition of the show lasts from 7-8 p.m. CST and will preview the inaugural Sue Gunter Classic, which takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 15-16, in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.


The show, hosted by “The Voice of the Lady Tigers” Patrick Wright, can be heard live in Baton Rouge on WTGE 107.3 FM and in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net.

For more details: http://bit.ly/5JU5j0

Filed under  //  Media   Temeka Johnson   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek and others dedicated to player/improving year round

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Nice article in SLAM Online on the dedication of professional women's basketball players that play year around and travel the world to do including a quote from our own Temeka Johnson:


Even more remarkable, is that their courageous sacrifices aren’t being talked about. WNBA players simply accept this as part of their lives and don’t make a big deal out of it. The vast majority of players have a humbleness inside them and feel extremely fortunate even to have the opportunity to play overseas. Not only does it speak to the incomparable work ethic of these ladies, but also to their immense love of the sport.

“To be honest, when you still have that burning desire for the game and the love for it is still strong in you, there is no such thing as too much basketball,” Temeka Johnson said. “You are thrilled to be able to what you love to do, continue to entertain those that love to watch you play, and the passion and desire of getting better drives you even more.”

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/6c04PL

Filed under  //  Community   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek Giving HOPE

A great article in the Times-Picayune by Ryan Chatelain on Temeka Johnson and her HOPE Foundation:
 

"I think it's important for the kids to know that being a star athlete is not all about the glamour," said Johnson, who won an award from the WNBA in June for her community work and currently is playing in Israel. "I want to be visible enough for them to see that you still have to be a human. You still have to have great character. You still have to be a role model. It's not about the nice cars and the nice rims and all that kind of stuff.

"Plus, I'm from the exact same environment they're from, and I want them to see that you can make it."

Each year, the foundation "adopts" a school. Johnson meets with educators to learn about the school's needs, then raises money to address those shortcomings. Last month, the foundation adopted Washington Montessori School in Kenner.

Johnson's grandmother, Jewel Johnson, who died of cancer in 2008, inspired Temeka Johnson's work with schools. Jewel Johnson was a longtime teacher at Washington, and HOPE named its four scholarships in her honor.

"Education is important, and the kids of today are really our future," Johnson said. "It seems like the education system is falling and dropping lower and lower each year, and kids are not caring about education as much. So I just want to do anything that I can to express the importance of education."

Read the entire article: http://bit.ly/8Jnkkz

 

Filed under  //  Community   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek Honored at Hornets game ... Off to Israel

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TEMEKA JOHNSON (11-5-09):

Hey Lady Tiger fans, just wanted to give you a little update on me. I leave early tomorrow morning to Israel for a short stint of playing overseas. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court and improving my game. I'll keep you posted of how I'm doing. Below are some photos of me being honored last night at the New Orleans Hornets games (which they won in overtime against Dallas). It was a tremendous thrill to be on that stage, honored as a champion in my hometown. And, most importantly, I want to thank everyone for all the love I've been shown during my short stop home and especially to all those who have contributed and supported my HOPE Foundation! See you in a few!

 

Filed under  //  Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Championship helps Meek to help others with her HOPE Foundation

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Nice article on Temeka Johnson's return to Phoenix this weekend to be honored at the Sun's game against Golden State. Here are some excerpts:

I asked Temeka if it was everything she thought it would be, "It's that and more to be honest. It's amazing what winning a championship does and I'm not just talking about how well we played together as a team and how we came together. What it's done for so many other people, that's what's important to me."

Johnson has spent the last few weeks in her home state of Louisiana where she's used the power of her victory to continue to raise money and help others through her HOPE Foundation.


Read the entire article at: http://bit.ly/3oeznw

Filed under  //  Community   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Meek raises the trophy & the roof

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Last night at the Suns NBA game against Golden State -- and in front 18,422 fans, the city of Phoenix gave a rousing ovation to Temeka Johnson and a few teammates for their WNBA Championship only two weeks ago. Meek said the crowd ovation was "electrifying."

Filed under  //  Temeka Johnson   WNBA  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Southeaster Middle School "PRIDE"

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BOB STARKEY (10-27-09):

I had the honor today to join Allison Hightower and Temeka Johnson as we visited Southeast Middle School here in Baton Rouge. Both Ally and Meek represented well and did a great job of going through the school and visiting with several groups. Southeast Middle is part of our GPA Program for women's basketball at LSU. It is something that we are very proud to be a part of in terms of community service. When we first got to the school, we could tell that everyone was excited to see our players. It was "Spirit Week" and everyone, including the teachers were wearing crazy looking socks.
 
The key word at Southeast is "Pride" so our players talked about the components of Pride:
Perseverance
Respect
Intelligence
Discipline
Enthusiasm
 
We were very impressed with the administration and the teachers as well -- they obviously care a great deal about their students.

 

Filed under  //  Community   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Temeka Johnson Honors John Hawie

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TEMEKA JOHNSON (10-23-09):

Today I got to do something very special -- honor someone who really cares and has made a difference in my life and that of the Lady Tiger program. John Hawie has helped our program raise money (including a lot of his own) to help us do so many things like create an amazing basketball complex with a locker room, video theater, and player's lounge. Recently he endowed a scholarship in Coach Gunter's name and that really meant something special to me. But it is so much more than the money -- he genuinely cares about us as players and young people. He also has made a difference in my HOPE Foundation with support so today I surprised him before practice with a WNBA basketball autographed by the Phoenix Mercury! It is just a small way to say thanks to someone very deserving. Judy Southard stopped by to give her thanks to John as well and I enjoyed visiting with her as well.

 

 
For more info on Meek's foundation: www.MeeksHope.org

 

 

Filed under  //  Community   Sue Gunter   Temeka Johnson  
Posted by Bill Martin