2010-2011 Lady Tiger hold first team meeting

At 2:00 PM in the Sue Gunter Complex, the 2010-2011 edition of the LSU Lady Tigers gathered for the first time as unit for their season opening team meeting.  Unlike the past where they were great by Coach Van Chancellor with a nice "welcome back to campus" speech, the team was hit quickly with a list of expecations and areas of improvement along with a game plan for accomplishing both.

"I felt that we needed a sense of urgency to start the season this year and it was my job to set the tone," said Coach Chancellor.  "We have a wonderful opportunity to have a good team this year but it's only an opportunity if we don't lay a foundation in the next few months."

Usually thinks like team goals have been collected in early October but this the team set upon one goal that will effect them from this moment forward.

GOAL #1: being the absolute BEST we can be EVERYDAY!

"It's a goal that is process driven as opposed to being result oriented," said Coach Chancellor.  "We can apply this goal today, tomorrow and the next day.  It can be applied to class, conditioning, weighting training, practice, games -- absolutely anything."

Another point of emphasis for the Lady Tigers will be improved mental toughness.  Coach Chancellor spoke to the team in terms of them allowing to many outside factors effecting their player last year.  He also told the team that "mental toughness is one of the few traits that effect everything else on the basketball court."

Communication was another area that Coach Chancellor listed as a necessary area for improvement.  "We want to talk more, talk often and talk loud."  Every great team I've been associated with or observed has been an excellent communication team."  He also added that listening was another area of communication that he wanted to improve upon.

Still yet another topic was to "finish."  Coach Chancellor said that the team must first learn to finish in drills, both in practice and conditioning before they can consistently finish plays and games.  He vowed to push the team in this area.

The meeting also saw the team receive their notebooks for the year and they also received a personal letter from Coach Chancellor."I really liked the sense of urgency in the meeting," said co-captain Katherine Graham.  "This is my senior season and I want our team to strive to be the best that we can be."

Andrea Kelly, also a co-captain, echoed KG's thoughts:  "Coach Chancellor certainly laid it out there for us and I thought our team had a great attitude in receiving his message and knowing what we need to do."

Filed under  //  Team   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Swish Appeal ranks LSU #14th women's basketball program

Swish Appeal has been on a long track of ranking the top 100 women's basketball programs in the nation based on their success over a long period of time.  The LSU Lady Tigers come in at 14th of all programs in the nation.  Here is what Swish Appeal has to say about LSU women's basketball:

14.   LSU:  The Lady Tigers of Louisana State have had a lot of success, and a lot of great coaches.  Sue Gunter coached the team for 24 years, taking the team to a NCAA Final Four.  Pokey Chatman inherited that team and that team went to three Final Fours after that.  With Chatman's resignation, Van Chancellor took over the team.  The first year he was with the team - 2007-08 - the team went to another Final Four, five consecutive Final Fours in all.  The only other school with five consecutive Final Fours?  Connecticut.

Aside from the WNBA players that come out of the program - Seimone Augustus and Marie Ferdinand-Harris - the program is investing in its infrastructure with a new practice facility that was completed in January 2010.  They picked up the #16 recruiting class in the country according to ESPN.   It looks like LSU wants very badly to at the very least get to another Final Four.  Don't be surprised if they make it.

Check here for all of the Swish Appeal rankings: http://bit.ly/dbHm0x

Team_huddle_1

Filed under  //  Honors   Sue Gunter   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Coach Chancellor reports on the Fast Break Club Summer Cookout

VAN CHANCELLOR: Last night we had our annual Fast Break Club Summer Cookout and, as it is every year, it was a really special event.  This year it was even more special because our dear friend Chico Moore hosted it at his home.  And anybody that knows Chico knows he only knows one way to go -- ALL OUT!  Chico is someone who has been a tremendous friend not just to Lady Tiger Basketball but all of LSU Athletics and we can't begin to thank him enough for the wonderful hospitaltiy last night.  And then there was the great turnout of our Fast Break Club membership.  Darlene Foster was there and as I understand it was an original member of the very first Fast Break Club.  It is really nice that John Hawie now lives in Baton Rouge and can actually attend some of our events.  I was so impressed with his knowledge of recruiting and women's college basketball. Of course we have the most loyal Tiger fan in our corner - Howard Jones.  One of my dear friends from Mississippi Stan Douglas was there and told us about a trip to Chicago where he got to spend some time with Sylvia Fowles and Marie Ferdinand after a Chicago-LA game. Sue Bernie is another loyal supporter that follows the game intensly -- she knows more about the WNBA than any fan I've met.  Sallye Stewart was there, as she always is, though we did miss her husband Wayne last night who was hard at work. And two of my favorite suppoters are Wayne & Diane Leader -- they have been such loyal supporters...travelling to road games, visiting us at practice, opening their home to us at Christmas. it was my first opportunity to meet Carl Hampton who has some crazy work hours that often keep him away from some of our events.  It was great to hear him and Travis talk about their love for motorcycles.  Diane Simon was there as well which made it seem like practice as she is a regular visitor in the PMAC during basketball season.  And last, but certainly not least, Kim Crane and Kelly Presley of Lady Tiger Depot who get involved in our program in a variety of ways and have had such a major impact in our success.

I also have to thank our administration.  Our Athletic Directir Joe Alleva and his lovely wife Annie joined us as well as Miriam Segar, our new Senior Women's Administrator.

Thanks again to our host Chico Moore, the wonderful folks at Drusilla's for the incredible meal, and to our entire Fast Break Club family.

Filed under  //  Fast Break Club   Team   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bob Starkey 

Duke football coach visits with the Lady Tigers

Media_http1bpblogspot_qfkcz
VAN CHANCELLOR (3-19-10)
Had a great treat for our team today by inviting a dear friend of mine to come by and say hello. I've known David Cutcliffe from my Ole Miss days when he did a wonderful job of directing the Rebels football program. He's now the head football coach at Duke and doing a tremendous job battling in the ACC. He took the time out to come by and meet our team and tell them about our friendship that he was a big fan of Lady Tiger Basketball. I'm really proud to have David as a friend and glad I had the opportunity for him and our team to meet today.

Filed under  //  Media   NCAA Tournament   Off the Court   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Coach Chancellor grabs 500th collegiate victory

Media_http3bpblogspot_wisnc
CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The architect of four WNBA championships with the Houston Comets and the coach of the 2004 United States Olympic gold medal team, LSU head coach Van Chancellor has added another accolade to his Hall of Fame career by winning his 500th collegiate game on Wednesday night.

Senior preseason All-American Allison Hightower led all scorers with 18 points and the 11th-ranked LSU women’s basketball team never trailed as the Lady Tigers shutdown 13th-ranked Xavier (Ohio), 56-47, to give Chancellor the milestone victory at Cintas Arena.

“This was a return to the way we used to play defensively,” Chancellor said. “We told our team we had to return to the Lady Tiger way. We had tough practices after Christmas and prepared well for this team. This was a great basketball team we beat tonight. I am really proud of our effort. We learned a lot from the loss at Nebraska. That was an absolute wake-up call.”

The Lady Tigers (11-1) closed their non-conference slate with their first win over a ranked non-SEC opponent on the road since at No. 18 Michigan State on Dec. 17, 2006. LSU opens Southeastern Conference play at South Carolina on Sunday in Columbia. The game will be televised live nationally on ESPNU at 5 p.m. CST.

Xavier (9-3), who was coming off an 81-60 win over Mississippi State, was held to a season-low 47 points and never found a rhythm offensively. The Musketeers came into the contest averaging 74.5 points per game but were held 28 points below their season average.

Chancellor became the 24th active Division I coach to reach 500 wins and the 39th Division I coach all-time to reach the 500 plateau. The 2007 Naismith Hall of Famer, in his 22nd year overall, won 439 games in 19 seasons at Ole Miss and he has captured 61 victories in now his third season at LSU.

“In the scope of things that doesn’t seem important, the 500 wins,” he said. “I am more proud of our team and what they did tonight. That is what is important. These players deserve the credit.”

Filed under  //  Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Temeka Johnson to appear on The Van Chancellor Show

Media_http4bpblogspot_dyvfx
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  

Fast Break Club Christmas Party

VAN CHANCELLOR (12-10-09):
What a wonderful night last night! It was time for our annual Fast Break Club Hall of Fame Christmas Party. This was an event that has been a tradition for the Lady Tiger basketball program before I arrived and one that I've thoroughly enjoyed the past three years. We had a wonderful night of food and fun and I was honored to host the event at my house. I am so appreciative of my wife Betty, my daughter Renee, and our Director of Basketball Operations Brittany Carvalhido for putting the evening together. This is a very special group of individuals that have formed a powerful team of support. They are a big reason for our growth and success and it was great to spend an evening with them in the Christmas spirit!

 

Filed under  //  Fast Break Club   Off the Court   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Van Chancellor Radio Show to debut

Media_http1bpblogspot_tfbgd
BATON ROUGE -- “The Van Chancellor Show presented by Capital One Bank," LSU's weekly women's basketball radio show, makes its season debut on Wednesday, Dec. 2 from 7-8 p.m. CST live from Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar on the corner of Burbank and Nicholson Drive in Baton Rouge.

The show, hosted by Patrick Wright and featuring Lady Tigers' Hall of Fame head coach Van Chancellor can be heard live in Baton Rouge on WTGE 107.3 FM and in the Geaux Zone on www.LSUsports.net.

Fans can call in and ask Coach Chancellor a question during the hour-long show at (225) 578-4826 in the Baton Rouge area or toll free (800) 315-8255 nationwide. Special guests will be making appearances on the show throughout the season.

A complete listing of show dates is below:


Show #1: Dec. 2, 2009 *
Show #2: Dec. 8, 2009
Show #3: Dec. 14, 2009 **
Show #4: Dec. 28, 2009 **
Show #5: Jan. 5, 2010
Show #6: Jan. 12, 2010
Show #7: Jan. 19, 2010
Show #8: Jan. 26, 2010
Show #9: Feb. 2, 2010
Show #10: Feb. 9, 2010
Show #11: Feb. 16, 2010
Show #12: Feb. 23, 2010
Show #13: March 2, 2010
Show #14: March 9, 2010

* Wednesday at 7 p.m.** Monday at 7 p.m.

For more information on LSU women’s basketball:
Website:
www.JumpOnTheVanWagon.com

Filed under  //  Media   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

New feature on JumpOnTheVanWagon.com

TOM HARLUKOWICZ (11-30-09):
When JumpOnTheVanWagon.com was launched, we let you know that it would constantly be evolving with new features. That being said, I’d like to let you know that there is a new fan feedback option on the website.

Feedback from the Lady Tiger fans is very important which is why we want to know what you think we are doing well and what we can improve on. To access this new feature, log on to JumpOnTheVanWagon.com and click on the button labeled “Send Us Your Fan Feedback” located under the graphic of the Van Wagon. Fill in all the fields and then select “Submit” to send us your thoughts. We appreciate any opinions you can offer.

Be on the lookout in the next week and a half as we will be adding another feature to JumpOnTheVanWagon.com that all Lady Tigers will be sure to enjoy.


Filed under  //  Marketing & Promotions   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin  

Speaking At The Jack Andonie LSU Sports Museum

Media_http4bpblogspot_qksza
VAN CHANCELLOR (11-28-09):
Following practice today I had the privilege of speaking at the Jack Andonie Museum. If you have not visited it is an amazing museum full of LSU athletic history with items donated by Dr. Andonie. It doesn't matter what sport at LSU you enjoy, it is well represented at the museum. As always, I great enjoyed chatting with the LSU fans that are on campus getting ready for the football game this afternoon. I always feel blessed to meet such enthusiastic fans like the ones at LSU.

 

Filed under  //  Off the Court   Van Chancellor  
Posted by Bill Martin