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".

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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.

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

Meek's White House Visit Blog: Entry #1

TEMEKA JOHNSON: Good Morning everyone, I have to say that today is a pretty special day for me and my teammates. we get to actually meet OUR President OBAMA. its honor to go to the white house, especially for the reason that we're going. Its a lot of ppls dream to win a championship as well as meet the president and I am thankful, and blessed and can say that I am a part of both. I will be blogging about our visit to the White House.  Stay tuned everyone...besides the Lady Tiger Blog,  you will be able to check it out on www.meekshope.org, White House.gov and LetsMove.gov. --  check me out. I will let you all know how it goes. great time, great moments. I'm truly blessed.

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

Big Syl uses family adversity to inspire her to help in the battle against Epilespy

Chicago, July 19 20101—CURE (Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy) and the WNBA team the Chicago Sky will be joining forces at The Allstate Arena, on July 23rd, 2010 to accelerate the search for a cure for epilepsy.  The event, sponsored by the Chicago Sky, will raise awareness and funds for CURE, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the prevalence and severity of the disease, and money for scientific research aimed at finding a cure.

Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Sky Center, WNBA All-Star and Team USA Member will highlight the event.  She has joined CURE as a supporter, due to her nephew Morris’s epilepsy and her desire to raise awareness for the disease.

The general public remains largely unaware of how many lives are impacted by epilepsy; how severely many of those lives are impacted; and yet how little funding is dedicated to epilepsy research.  Epilepsy affects over 3 million Americans and 50 million people worldwide of all ages.  Over forty percent of these patients do not have control over their seizures, even with the best available treatments.  Many more have only achieved seizure control at the cost of living with debilitating side effects of medications.  Epilepsy is also a timely topic for this nation at war—for many soldiers suffering traumatic brain injury on the battlefield, epilepsy will be a long-term consequence.

For more information about CURE, epilepsy, research news, grants, and special events, please visit www.CUREepilepsy.org.

 *About CURE: CURE (www.CUREepilepsy.org) is a nonprofit organization founded by parents of children with epilepsy who were frustrated with their inability to protect their children from the devastation of seizures and the side effects of medications. CURE is dedicated to finding a cure for epilepsy by raising funds for research and by increasing awareness of the prevalence and devastation of this disease. For the third consecutive year, CURE is a proud recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest rating. Over 92 cents of every dollar goes directly to epilepsy research and awareness programs.

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

Meek to visit the White House, President Obama today

Temeka Johnson and her Phoenix Mercury teammates awoke in Washington D.C. this morning and are preparing for a visit to the White House and some time with President Obama today.  In conjunction with this event, members of the team will participate in a service project with local area youth during their visit to Washington, D.C.  This continues a tradition begun by President Obama of sports champions serving in the community as part of their visit.

http://bit.ly/a7slJ6

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

Four Lady Tigers in action tonight in the WNBA

Seimone Augustus and Minnesota host the WNBA's best team to date in Seattle at 2:30 PM EST.

Preview: http://bit.ly/bnhEau

Allsion Hightower and Connecticut start a 5-game road stand against Atlanta this evening at 6:00 PM EST.

Preview: http://bit.ly/bRBRdr

And in Phoenix tonight at 9:00 CST two Lady Tigers go head-to-head when Temeka Johnson leads the Mercury against Tulsa and Scholanda Robinson.

Preview: http://bit.ly/bcDJo3

There's no television for any of these games but you can follow them at WNBA.com

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

Big Syl & Sho grab win's in the W last night

With only 8 shot attempts, Sylvia Fowles posted a double-double last night to help Chicago to a victory over Los Angeles.  Big Syl had 10 points and 10 boards to go along with 4 blocked shots.  Marie Ferdinand-Harris had 5 points, 5 boards and 2 assists for the Sparks.

Chicago/LA Boxscore: http://bit.ly/byZ9pT

Scholanda Robinson had 7 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists to help Tulsa to a road win over San Antonio. Roneeka Hodges has 8 points and 3 rebounds in a losing effort.

Tulsa/San Antonio Boxscore: http://bit.ly/d04OgA

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