The game is never over

Sally Jenkins' (Washington Post) tribute to her friend of more than 20 years:

‘The game is never over’: A letter from Pat Summitt to a young basketball player

Pat Summitt, One of a Kind

Legendary Tennessee Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt dies at age 64, (WBIR)

There will never be anyone like Tennessee legend Pat Summitt, Mechelle Voepel (espnW)

Tara VanDerveer:

It was heartbreaking to receive news of Pat's passing. She was so many things to so many people, but most importantly for me, she was a friend. Pat taught and inspired both on the basketball court and in the way she lived her life. She had a lasting influence on everyone she met, a profound impact on those she didn't and leaves a legacy that will live forever.

Her last game at Maples

Happy birthday, Tara!

Most of this season's team and a couple of future prospects help Tara celebrate her birthday

Kezar summer basketball tips off

No worries if you didn't make it to Kezar for the first game of the summer.

The only Cardinal presesence was a handful of optimistic fans. We knew Bird and Nadia weren't coming today, but Markisha, Marta and Shannon didn't show up either.

The first game was primarily a run-and-shoot exhibition. San Francisco connected far more often than Palo Alto TnT and won 103-67.

The second game between Bay City and Mission Rec Center looked more promising with some good team play as well as good shooting, and the score was close at the end of the first quarter. The game was due to slow down eventually, since each team had only five players, and we gave up waiting for Marta & Shannon at that point and went home.

Next week, Mission Rec is scheduled to play San Francisco (Markisha) at 1:30, Bay City (Shannon & Marta) vs Palo Alto TnT (Bird & Nadia) at 3:30.

Bird and Nadia added to Kezar rosters

The San Francisco Bay Area Pro-Am rosters were updated today.

Now Bird and incoming freshman Nadia Fingall are on the Palo Alto TnT team — although not available for the first game on June 25.

Shannon and Marta are still with Bay City and Markisha with San Francisco.

Bri's name has been withdrawn.

Team Rosters

Summer basketball at Kezar begins next Saturday

It's time for summer basketball again.

The San Francisco Bay Area Pro-Am Summer Basketball League begins its 37th season next Saturday (June 25) at 1:30 and 3:30pm. Play continues on the following six Saturdays through the first week of August, with one exception — the fifth pair of games is on Sunday, July 24 instead of Saturday. League play ends with the championship game on Sunday, August 7 at 2:30pm.

There are only four teams in the league this season, so there are no byes.

Sad to say, none of our incoming freshmen have signed up, but Marta and Shannon will be playing for Bay City, Bri Roberson for Palo Alto TnT, and alumna Markisha Coleman for San Francisco.

Don't know where Kezar Pavilion is? Here's the map and the SF Pro-Am website with the full schedule and all the rosters.

The website warns strongly that parking is a big problem, but it won't be any worse than in previous seasons. The parking lot next to Kezar, although a bit pricey, always has space unless there's a big event in Kezar Stadium. The July schedule isn't published yet. When it is, I'll report any potential parking problems.

Welcome!

This is Welcome Weekend at Stanford.

Summer session classes start on Monday.

Dijonai, Nadia and Anna are set to go! (Mikaela is on her way.)

Bird is outstanding

The Stanford Athletic Board held its annual award ceremony last week in which they honored 41 student-athletes in 26 varsity sports.

Congratulations to Bird, who was honored as a Block S Outstanding Female Junior.

Here is the awards ceremony program, which lists all the awards and honorees.

Cardinal Facts

Stanford Athletics reminds you to buy your tickets for 2016-17 with an assortment of tantalizing facts and photos: