I challenge you to think about what you “REALLY” want out of life.  Everyone says they want to be fit, healthy, happy, successful…but think about the SPECIFIC things you want  and HOW BAD you really want them.

As a fitness instructor, I hear people tell me over and over again, “I really want to lose weight” or “I really want to get in shape.”  They want these things for several reasons:

• Health benefits
• Longer life
• More energy
• Wear cute clothes
• Increase self-confidence
• Better dating life
• and the list goes on and on…

But the question isn’t, “How bad do you want these things?”  The REAL question is, “What are you willing to SACRIFICE to get these things?”

More on Grit by Brit

I know most of you are already hard working, disciplined people who make sure to get your workouts in and stick with a pretty healthy diet.  But when it comes to knocking off that last 5-20 pounds, it’s like nothing gives.

Well, I hear your pain.  Despite being active in sports and dance since I was 3 years old, I was def a fat kid growing up.  I weighed 106 pounds in 3^rd grade…yeah it’s true.  I also struggled with my weight throughout middle school.  In high school I discovered Slim Fast and dropped about 15 pounds, but then after college I “fluffed up” again after I quit playing basketball.  Now, I’ve finally gotten to a place where I’ve figured out my body enough to really be able to drop weight and keep it off.Even though I worked out a lot and ate relatively healthy, I identified 5 key reasons why I wasn’t losing weight.  See if any of these habits apply to you…
1. I tried to be perfect – I have a super Type A (slightly neurotic) personality and would get really pumped up about a new diet plan or workout regimen.  However, if I slipped up even once, I’d beat myself up and end up quitting the plan altogether.  Now, I’ve learned to be nicer to myself.  Look, there will always be good days and bad days, but weight management is all about balance.  If I smash a burger and fries at lunch, that’s cool.  It just means I’ll have a small side salad for dinner followed by an extra 30 minutes of cardio.  Don’t take everything so seriously!  Just keep a mental note of what you are consuming and make sure that you always match your intake with calorie burn.
2. I needed a reality check – They ONLY way I’m truly able to manage my weight is by weighing myself on a DAILY basis – yes daily!  Sometimes, you just need to see the numbers on the scale to give you a reality check.  If you actually see that you have gained 5 pounds, you will be more mindful of what you eat.  I challenge you to go to Wal-Mart, by a digital scale and weigh yourself every morning.  You will thank me later
3. I ate too much – Even though I ate healthy food, I ate too much of it.  Therefore, it was really hard to burn more calories than I consumed, which is the ONLY way to legitimately lose weight.  You’ve heard it before, “eat until you’re satisfied, not until you’re full.”  Well it’s true – portion control is just as, if not more, important than food choice.
Visit Grit by Brit for the full list and tips on improving your workout. 

One would be hard-pressed to walk into a university campus and not find the grounds full of sleep-deprived students shuffling around in outerwear, which is essentially sportswear. Society loves to pigeonhole people into specific castes based on the clothing they wear. It’s unfortunate but in most instances one is judged by the aesthetic qualities of their clothing. Take for example in Australia, youths that identify as belonging to the subculture known as ‘lads and lasses’ (chavs in the UK) are normally recognised by the sportswear they choose to don as part of their persona. Nike TN’s and Air Max tennis shoes are associated with this youth caste in addition to Nautica and Canterbury branded clothing. Nautica in Australia is marketed as being a high fashion sports brand similar to Canterbury, the latter of which has its roots in the sport of Rugby union. This association with the lad and lass subculture has seemingly bastardized these particular brands and sportswear in general in Australia.

This type of negative light has transcended across society to equate comfort cand sports clothing with the lazy option or the easy way out. However this perception is not limited to Australia, it can be heard the world over.  And, for some everyday women in other parts of the world, even the quality of the clothing can be called into question.

“I find that the quality of those [sportswear] pieces is often subpar; well, that and I like to avoid seeing pictures of myself in an outfit years later and wondering what in the name of God I was thinking putting it on,” said Niama Sandy, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based fashionista, educator and entertainer when asked about the role of sportswear in her personal style.

While others’ concerns with the trend are less rooted in the view that the clothing is not quality, or even that it signifies laziness as some feel that, rightly or wrongly, it is an issue of comfort. Among them is Tracy Haynes, New York City-based social worker and fashionista by day, and self-professed gym rat by night. Haynes had very strong views on the sportswear as fashion trend.

“In my opinion, workout or gym or sport clothing should be reserved for when playing sports or working out. The trend has a lot to do with comfort and I believe there are other ways to accomplish that than looking like you’re about to go run around a track (ballet flats or lightweight jeans with stretch). I also feel that people who take working out seriously may not be found in the trend either. Those people are looking for something they can grab that is easy to move in and gets them to the start or point of working out as soon as possible, fashion is not necessarily important at that moment in time. I feel that trend is for the wannabes, the people that want to look as though they work out and are part of that whole “get fit” culture. But, in reality don’t know their way around a weight room,” Haynes said.

However, with the ever-changing fashion climate, sportswear is edging its way from its association with the lout culture of society to synonymy with high fashion on the runways for spring and summer 2012.

“Definitely a very athletic undertone to the season,” said Marie Claire, Fashion Director and style icon, Nina Garcia to Lifeminute.tv on the spring and summer 2012 fashion trends.

This new trend is being referred to as sports luxe and is dominating runways worldwide. Well known athletics brand, Adidas, seems to be the front-runner of this marriage between performance wear and high fashion. It has forged successful partnerships with the likes of Stella McCartney and Yohji Yamamoto. Additionally, fashion stalwart Calvin Klein has its own brand of performance gear, which utilises quick-dry technology making it completely functional and trendy. Alexander Wang, DKNY, BCBG Max Azria as well as Rag and Bone all incorporated hi-tech sports anorak’s into their spring/summer 2012 collections.

Though the sportswear as fashion trend is taking off, everyday women and fashion insiders alike seem to agree that it needs to be adopted in moderation to make a true style impact.

“I have always been inspired by timeless looks; following trends doesn’t necessary allow one to craft a wardrobe that can have that element. Having a piece [of sportswear] to work in here and there is fine,” Sandy said.

Principal Stylist and Owner of The Jessica DeVault agency, Jessica DeVault—a North Carolina-based fashion journalist and stylist—seconded Sandy’s assertion, when asked about her take on this ever popular trend.

“I personally haven’t jumped onto the sportswear trend, simply because it doesn’t blend well with my personal style. Although there are some pieces that were on the runway at Alexander Wang and Vera Wang that I thoroughly enjoyed. But if you’re going to sport the look, I think the key is to stick to no more than one or two sportswear pieces per outfit, or else you’ll look less stylish and more like you’re actually going to the gym,” DeVault said.

If sportswear as fashion does fit squarely into one’s personal style—unlike Sandy, Haynes and DeVault— and the aforementioned names and brands seem unattainable, there is no reason to despair.  Women interested in this trend can use the designs mentioned as an inspirational starting point for sprucing up their sportswear.

1973: Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in Battle of the Sexes tennis match.

1974: The Women’s Sports Foundation was founded by tennis champion Billie Jean King.

1975: Professional football player Linda Jefferson, a running back for the Troopers, was named Women’s Sports magazine’s    Athlete of the Year.

1976: The first women’s professional softball league was established.

1977: Lusia Harris-Stewart became the first woman ever drafted into the National Basketball Association (NBA). She was picked up as the 137^th pick by the New Orleans’ Jazz.

1978: Nancy Lopez wins the Ladies Professional Golf Association Rookie of the Year award, appears on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Player of the Year and the Associated Press’ Female Athlete of the Year.

1979: The Department of Health, Education and Welfare issued a policy interpretation of Title IX that included a three-prong test to be considered in assessing an institution’s compliance. To prove it is providing males and females equitable opportunities to play sports.

1980: Women’s sports became a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

1981: Pat Bradley wins the US Women’s Open in golf.

1982: The first women’s NCAA championship was held in Los Angeles, Calif.

1983: Tamara McKinney receives the World Cup in Alpine Skiing.

1984: American runner Joan Benoit Samuelson was the first woman to win the Olympic marathon in its inaugural year.

1985: Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race

1986: The Women’s Professional Volleyball League was established.

1987: Under the Reagan administration,  February 3, 1987 was designated National Women in Sports Day.

1988: Women’s judo was held for the first time in the Summer Olympic games.

1989: Tennis player Steffi Graf won the Grand Slam.

1990: The Sara Lee Corporation donates $6 million to the NCAA for women’s sports.

1991: Jockey Andrea Seefeldt was the first woman to win the Pennsylvania Derby.

1992: Kristi Yamaguchi wins the Olympic Gold Medal for figure skating.

1993: Jackie Joyner Kersee’s world record of 7,291 points in the event set in Seoul, still stands, and she has the top six performances in history.

1994: Professional skier Picabo Street becomes the first woman to win the downhill skiing World Cup.

1995: Following the recommendations of a Study Commission of the IOC Centennial Olympic Congress, a women and sport working group was established in by the then-IOC President to advise the executive board on suitable policies to be implemented in this field.

1996: The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) was introduced to the world as the female athletes’ counterpart to the NBA.

1997 – Soccer player Mia Hamm is named the Women’s Sport Foundation Team Athlete of the Year.

1998 : Former Tennessee Lady Vols Coach Pat Summit becomes the Associated Press Coach of the Year.

1999 : Sports Illustrated for Women was founded.

2000: In the Sydney Olympics, Venus Williams became only the second player to win Olympic gold medals in both singles and doubles at the same Olympic Games.

2001: Notre Dame University’s basketball team wins the NCAA tournament.

2002: Lisa Boyer was the only woman volunteer assistant coach in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

2003: Serena Williams won the Australian Open -singles and doubles, NASDAQ Open, French Indoors and Wimbledon.

2004: Women’s Wrestling is introduced into the Olympic games.

2005: American race car driver Danica Patrick was named Rookie of the Year for the Indianapolis 500 and IndyCar Series.

2007: The Olympic Charter was amended to include, for the first time in history, an explicit reference to the need for work in this area: “The IOC encourages and supports the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures, with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women.”  Rule 2, paragraph 7, Olympic Charter in force as from 07.07.2007

2008: At the Beijing Games, Dara Torres became the oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics taking home three silver medals.

2009: The Women’s Professional Soccer League was launched.

2010: ESPN launches ESPNw, a primary destination for women’s sports.

2011: Lindsey Vonn unveiled as first ever Winter Youth Olympic Games Ambassador.

2012: Qatar will participate in the Olympics and for the first time in the history of the Olympics, women’s boxing will be among the sports included on the roster.

Antonia participated in softball, track and field, and basketball while attending Riverwood High School (now known as Riverwood International Charter School).  She later played basketball at Florida Southern College and later played as a professional Europe.  Charlotte participated in track and field, basketball, and cheerleading during high school.

 Both women believe that fitness and   athleticism are very important.

“Remaining active and playing sports has always been a part of my life,” said Charlotte.

Aside from playing sports, Charlotte mentioned that attending Wellesley College, a women’s college, inspired her interest in issues that directly impact women.

In addition to playing sports, Antonia  worked in fan development and marketing for several sports organizations including the Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta Thrashers, Atlanta Dream, and the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer.

“Sports are something that I’ve always been passionate about,” Antonia said.

Both of the Newman sisters obtained M.B.A. degrees and shared a desire to become entrepreneurs.

They wanted to use their knowledge as players coupled with their varying work experiences and knowledge gained in pursuit of their M.B.A. degrees to launch a unique brand that they hope will one day change the face of women’s sports.

Antonia and Charlotte found that there was an issue with the amount of coverage and the number of online destinations to retrieve information about women’s sports.

“We are approaching the 40th anniversary of Title IX and so that means that participation for women in sports has grown dramatically.  At the same time, sports coverage has almost gone in the opposite direction,” said Charlotte.

The two also considered the current landscape of t in technology, especially social media and the ability to leverage it to promote women’s sports.

And then, Team Fenom was born.

When people are looking for information about women’s sports, Antonia and Charlotte hope Team Fenom will be the go-to answer to their queries.

“We want to solve that dilemma… to help alleviate that problem with Team Fenom,” said Charlotte.

In addition, Charlotte stated that fans should know that Team Fenom is are much more than a website; this is a movement.

“We want people to feel like they are a part of something that’s bigger than themselves,” expressed Charlotte.

“A part of our brand is definitely about promoting community and getting fans engaged online and off-line,” said Charlotte.

Last year, the sisters held a launch party for the WNBA season and a WNBA All-Star party.

“We intend on holding events here in Atlanta initially, and we hope to spread to other cities and then to connect women’s sports fans together in fun and creative ways,” Charlotte said.

Antonia and Charlotte also want to provide their users and viewers with a unique experience.

“We intend to have user -generated content and have women’s sports enthusiasts blog with us so they have that platform to establish a voice as well,” said Antonia.

Moreover, the sisters plan to build a larger online community where women’s sports fans can come together and interact with each other and discuss such things as their favorite teams and athletes.

They hope that Team Fenom will be an international brand where people can say “I’m Team Fenom,” meaning he or she supports women’s sports.

“We want people who visit our site or who attend an event off-site to have Team Fenom be either an online or off-line experience that’s unparalleled (to) the past,” said Charlotte.

The Newman sisters hope to shine a light on women’s sports through Team Fenom in a way that will lead to fans walking away and saying “I’ve not seen anything like this in women’s sports before.”

The Team Fenom owners plan to increase and retain a large number of users and viewers as well as build traction to the Web publication in the days, weeks and months to come.

“We want people who are interested in women’s sports to find something useful in our site,” said Charlotte.

In the future, Antonia and Charlotte intend to hold live chats for female athletes and their fans, build strong partnerships with other companies who have an affinity for women’s sports, all under the umbrella of Team Fenom.

“We are interested in seeing how a platform can not only be a site for news but perhaps combining e-commerce with news…becoming sort of a single destination for anything women would be interested in related to women’s sports,” said Charlotte.

Whether that is finding the perfect women’s running shoe, searching for a workout buddy, reading news, or providing deals on merchandise and tickets, ultimately Team Fenom would like to be the one-stop-shop for all things women’s sports.

What would one do if they were embarrassed to tell a secret? A secret so deep that it almost costs an individual their life.

Is it bottled up?

Is it unleashed at the wrong times?

How does one move forward?

For one person, she used it as motivation  to turn her flaws and secrets into a bridge to help keep others in her shoes  from reaching that breaking point.

And that person is Chamique Holdsclaw.

Yes, THAT Chamique Holdsclaw. The first overall pick in the 1999 WNBA draft to the Washington Mystics, Chamique Holdsclaw. The six-time, WNBA all-star, Chamique Holdsclaw. The former National Player of the Year at Tennessee, Chamique Holdsclaw. The SEC’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder, Chamique Holdsclaw. Being one of the most highly-touted female recruits ever out of New York,  Chamique Holdsclaw. Yes, that one.

So how can someone so prominent fall to a point where they feel that suicide is the only option?

“I’ve had a public battle with depression throughout my career,” Holdsclaw said. “It’s been a tough thing to deal with. I was embarrassed.”

To sum it all up in a word: Pressure.

“When I was younger, I had my family, who had me in a protective environment, and with (former Tennessee) coach (Pat) Summit, you had the same thing,” she said. “When I got to D.C., I had so much pressure — being the star, endorsements, responsibility, money. I was back in the city life with so many distractions, and it was tough going to the worst team after being the No. 1 pick. I’m used to winning and excellence. Being 21 and going through that was tough.”

However, Holdsclaw has stepped away from basketball, after rupturing her Achilles tendon, and has used her time as a mental-health advocate. She’s used some of the time to write a book titled “Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot After Shot” telling all about her depression, suicide attempt and many more intricacies of her life.

“I made a pact with God that if he got me through this, I would turn it around,” she said of her suicide attempt. “I wanted to use my platform and get the word out there. I want to help the people get the help they needed. Everyone has different coping mechanisms, and I just want to help them.”

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF CHAMIQUE

Though, Holdsclaw wishes that her basketball days weren’t over, she embraces her modern-day lifestyle; however, the athlete in her  appear to have  diminished quite yet.

“Right now, I get up, I go work out. Different people have different methods, and working out is mine,” she said. “I answer a ton of emails and do phone interviews. People want to constantly book me to come speak and be a part of their organizations.”

“I’m not used to the schedule quite yet, and it’s draining, but I’m getting used to it. But it’s a good tired. It’s a change of pace.”

Holdsclaw has always been innately shy, so this gives her a new avenue. It also allows those who have wanted to connect with her, or those who share her issues, a chance to become more engaged with the basketball star on a more personal level.

She admits that public speaking is still something that she is not completely comfortable with, but like with anything she has done, her work ethic has helped her excel. It also helps soothe her nerves — knowing that what she has to say can ultimately help change lives of other individuals.

“I’ve always been very quiet, but when I’m passionate about something, my voice shines through,” she said. “I still get my pre-game jitters, but after 10 seconds of talking, I get in my zone, and I’m good to go.

“When you’re sharing apart of yourself, people can relate to you.”

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Not everyone can relate to hitting a game-winning shot, but Holdsclaw knows that everyone can relate to personal issues — a driving force for her new-found passion.

“Everything is well, I can’t complain,” she said. “I would like to be back on the court playing right now, but God has sent me in another direction.”

“I’ve always been very shy, but this has brought me out of my shell. I feel a lot freer as a person.”

Holdsclaw’s story was driven by faith and perseverance. She knew it was something that people would relate to.

“I knew I had a story,” Holdsclaw said. “I knew it was a story that people wanted to hear.”

Though, when she was younger, she was “ashamed” of the alcoholism her parents suffered from, it was just another chapter in her life. As her grandmother was a driving force and inspiration in her life. But success helped Holdsclaw holster all of the bad.

“I’ve just always been successful,” she said. “So, when you are at that level, you kind of just sweep it under the rug.”

THE SUMMIT OF HER LIFE

It’s no secret that Pat Summit was an instrumental force in Holdsclaw’s life, and the hook that she used to drag the New York native out of the North all the way to Knoxville, Tenn., was only the beginning.

“The only thing that I can promise you is that if you come to Tennessee, you’ll gradate,” was the statement  Holdsclaw recalled Summit making that ultimately, sold her on Summit.

Many coaches recruited the all-American, but it was the one that didn’t promise her the world on the court that made a difference. That’s the one she would bond with to help her grow into the woman she is today.

“Tennessee, at the time, they had an unbelievable program,” Holdsclaw said. “And they were graduating someone that played my position. I stuck with the coach that didn’t promise me everything.

“Coach Summit is an important part of my life. Not just as my coach and mentor, but just a friend. She showed us through her success what excellence is about.”

They didn’t always see eye-to-eye, but Holdsclaw knew that Summit’s unconventional methods came with reason, and, that she was not the most successful basketball coach in the women’s game for no reason.

“You have your way of doing things… and then you have the Pat Summit way,” she said. “She knows what she wants, and since she’s done so many things, you listen.”

THE TURNING POINT

Coach Summit had a different way of motivating Holdsclaw. Different players react differently to different styles, but great players need a different style of motivation because they carry a different weight on their shoulders.

Summit had to get her star freshman to believe in herself to help carry the team—a team that belonged to the upper classmen.

“During my freshman year, I was good, but I hit a stride where I started to come into my own and dominate,” she said. “I didn’t want to be out in front, though, because we had seniors.”

Summit pushed her in practice to understand that the shy, city-girl, in fact, could be a force on both ends of the court. All those sprints and words of encouragement finally paid off, and one day things clicked for a young Holdsclaw during her freshman campaign.

“We were down one game,” Holdsclaw said, “and I was like thinking I can contribute more. It was against Vandy, and finally, I was just like ‘Get me the ball!’ And that moment, right there, was where I really came into my own. Coach Summit talks about that moment still today. She knew from then on how to motivate me.”

A turning point that has helped her even today, as Summit has been one of the motivational points for Holdsclaw’s book.

She has even pushed her to be vocal, helping lead Holdsclaw to be the outspoken advocate of mental-health issues she has become.

“She’s made us quality women,” Holdsclaw said of her former coach. “Not just with basketball – we have doctors, lawyers. The gifts she gives to us are just amazing.”

After Summit helped her become the top pick in the WNBA draft, amazement really began to set in for Holdsclaw. She had endorsements, was considered the face of the team and even had her own Nike shoe.

“It was pretty neat,” Holdsclaw said of having her own shoe line. “We all grew up wanting to wear (Michael) Jordans and (Scottie) Pippens. They were comparing me to M.J., and it was just like ‘wow, I have my own shoe.’ There were so many guys that didn’t have big feet that would go buy my shoe, and to even have men rocking your jersey, that’s crazy.”

THE FUTURE OF THE LADY VOLS

With Summit stepping down as the head coach at Tennessee, there is an obvious void that will be left, but Holdsclaw is optimistic that the transition will be an easy one.

Tennessee’s new coach, Holly Warlick, served as an assistant under Summit since 1985, and she’s a former player at the school, so she knows what it takes to keep the legacy rolling.

“I think Holly Warlick is going to do a great job,” Holdsclaw said. “It’s going to be smooth, and Coach Summit is going to still be there. After being under Holly, I’m confident that she will retain a lot of the Pat Summit-isms. I’m confident we will find our way.”

NEXT UP

With a serious injury behind her, Holdsclaw is using it as a stepping stone to the next stage of her life, the way her grandmother would want it.

“I ruptured my Achilles, but I’m re-habing, and it’s about 90 percent now,” she said. “But with the things I have going outside of basketball, I have to stick with it.”

“I know my purpose is to spread the word. In my next couple of years, I want to settle down and start a family. In a couple of years, I want to slow down and even start coaching. It would have to be a pretty good high school or college.”

But one of the big questions for Holdsclaw, at age 34, is whether or not there is a possibility of a comeback in the future?

“There’s a possibility,” Holdsclaw said. “I won’t ex it off, and I’m scrimmaging every day. After coming off an injury this big, I just want to make sure I’m ready.”

“It was my driving foot, so I wasn’t even able to drive. It’s emotional and tough. I wasn’t able to walk. I had to ride a scooter. If I wasn’t writing a book, I would’ve lost it.”

“Breaking Through: Beating The Odds Shot After Shot” isn’t Holdsclaw’s first book, however. In 2001, she published “Chamique: On Family, Focus, and Basketball” and made her literary debut. But that book wasn’t as “unfiltered” as the new one, Holdsclaw explained.

“This book is candid and honest — not that the other one wasn’t,” she said. “With this book, I’m telling you the real — my family situations, my relationships and my love and hate with basketball. It’s honest and open, and I’ve gotten good feedback.”

Holdsclaw’s grandmother, who passed in 2002, which was a big blow considering she helped her to get to where she is today.

She was a woman whose strong values directly reflect on the former basketball star. She helped her cope with life, despite Holdsclaw’s battles with depression. Some advice made sense to the star from Queens, and some of it is still being decoded by Holdsclaw.

One thing is for sure, one message her grandmother passed on to her resonated loudly for Holdsclaw, recently.

“My grandmother used to tell me, ‘Chamique, use your voice.’ I always thought my voice was basketball,” Holdsclaw said, “and I finally understand what she was saying.”

Charles, who has emerged as the star player for the Sun, led the team in scoring as five Sun players scored in double figures for the game. Allison Hightower had 13, Jones had 12, Renee Montgomery had 11, and Danielle McCray had 10 for Connecticut, who outscored the Liberty 27-15 in the final quarter to rally for the victory.

The game was close early on, as the Liberty were able to obtain a 20-19 lead after the first quarter. As the game progressed, New York went on a 9-0 run sparked by Cappie Pondexter to take a 39-30 lead. That would be down to eight by halftime after a technical foul by Plenette Pierson and a made free throw by Montgomery to cut the lead to 41-33.

The Sun opened up the second half with an 8-0 run to tie the game at 41, but the Liberty continued their attempts to get breathing room in the game. Pierson’s three with 0.3 seconds left in the third quarter put New York up 58-51. Connecticut started off the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run to tie the game, and the teams began to battle it out. With the score tied at 69, Pondexter hit a jumper to put the Liberty up by two. Jones responded with the game tying jumper, and the eventual go-ahead winner to put the Sun up for good.

The Liberty, led by Pondexter’s 19 points, also got 15 from Pierson and 13 from Kara Braxton. They were at MSG for only one day, as they are playing their home games at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., while MSG undergoes renovations during the summer. However, with the New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers, the Liberty had no issues with going to their actual home for a game, although they do wish the end result was different.

“I was excited,” Pondexter said. “This is one of the best places to play basketball. I’m definitely going to miss it. Too bad we can’t come here often. But we got to carry this show to the Prudential Center.”

The teams will not have much time to dwell on this game. They meet on Sunday in Uncasville, CT for the second half of the home-and-home set.

The enthusiasm in her voice gave it away. They were the words that Claressa Shields’ longtime boxing trainer, Jason Crutchfield, had been waiting to hear all week: “Coach! I made the Olympics! I made the Olympics!”

Shields, the 17-year-old junior at Flint Northwestern High School, called her trainer Friday morning from the AIBA women’s world championships in Qinhuangdao, China, to let him know that she had earned one of the continental Americas’ berths to the 2012 London Games, where women’s boxing will make its debut in three weight classes this summer. He said the news was confirmed with a follow-up call from a representative from USA Boxing.

Shields earned her spot into the Games when England’s Savannah Marshall — who defeated Shields in the second round earlier this week — won her semifinal match Friday and advanced to the finals of the middleweight division.

 Read the rest of this story on USA Today.

Atlanta, GA
Saturday, May 12, 2012
The Komen Race for the Cure is the world’s largest and most successful education and fundraising event for breast cancer. Over two years, Team Fenom has had nearly fifty race team members and happily donated over $2,800 thanks to the generosity of our supporters. Additionally, for the second year, Mizuno sponsored Team Fenom’s runners/walkers.