Women's Hoops Celebrates Season

April 28, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. -- The University of Oklahoma women's basketball program celebrated the 2007-08 season at its annual postseason banquet at the U.S. Postal Service National Center for Employee Development Conference Center Monday night.

OU Vice President for Student Affairs Clarke Stroud emceed the event attended by over 400 fans.

Courtney Paris, direct from a tournament with the U.S. Women's Senior National Basketball Team in Beijing, China, took home the most hardware after receiving three awards as voted by her teammates. Jenna Plumley, Danielle Robinson, Nyeshia Stevenson and Amanda Thompson each claimed two awards.

OU head coach Sherri Coale presented the Inaugural Mary Jane Noble Humanitarian Award, in recognition for extraordinary service to the community and upholding the legacy of Mary Jane Noble, to Shannon Selmon. Selmon, who played for Coale at OU from 1999-2002, and her brother, Zac, started the Shine Foundation, a non-profit organization aimed at the development of youths in Africa.

Photo Gallery | Shine Foundation

"I'm not usually put into situations where I am caught off-guard," Selmon said, "But I am pleasantly surprised right now.

"The Shine Foundation is not just me and my brother. It was a door opened by God. These children have shown me how to see more clearly."

Coale also reflected on the team's 22-9 season and looked forward to returning all 12 players next year.

"I think about those subtle moments when we crawled forward," Coale said. "It was imperfect but it was very real. The challenge...is to bridge the gap between potential and performance."

Lindy Roberts, OU's Director of Event Management, was presented the Sooner Service Award. In addition to the tremendous amount of behind-the-scenes work Roberts performs, she was instrumental in creating the successful bid for the 2010 NCAA Women's Championship First and Second Rounds to be played at the Lloyd Noble Center.

Valerie Ingram, a second grade teacher at Norman's Lincoln Elementary School, spoke to the assembly about the Sooner women's extraordinary community service efforts, especially that of her class' "Sooner Big Sis" Rose Hammond.

"It continues to amaze me that you have the time to study, go to class, play games and do as much community service as you do," Ingram said. "It is truly a blessing to have individuals like these in our community."

2007-08 OU Women's Basketball Team Awards

Most Valuable Player: Courtney Paris
Offensive Player of the Year: Courtney Paris
Defensive Player of the Year: Danielle Robinson
Most Improved Player: Nyeshia Stevenson
The `Nail' Award (demonstrates mental and physical toughness): Amanda Thompson
The `Glue' Award (player who holds team together): Jenna Plumley
Monster Board (top rebounder): Courtney Paris
`Shoush' Factor (hustle award): Jenna Plumley
Charge Award: Danielle Robinson
Foxhole Award (best teammate): Ashley Paris
Mojo Award (momentum changer): Nyeshia Stevenson and Amanda Thompson
Mary Jane Noble Humanitarian Award: Shannon Selmon
Sooner Service Award: Lindy Roberts, OU Director of Event Management

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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