Parker: Candace's legacy lengthens

The former Tennessee Lady Vol added yet another piece of hardware to her trophy case on Monday morning, taking home the Honda-Broderick Cup for being the nation's top female athlete.

Even though she didn't win SEC player of the year, Candace Parker has five basketball player of the year awards this year to go with Monday's Honda-Broderick Cup. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Parker was honored only hours after becoming the second WNBA player ever to throw down a dunk in a game as she helped her Los Angeles Sparks take down the Indiana Fever over on the west coast.

"I have been blessed to be recognized as an individual, but know that I couldn't have gotten where I am today without the help of my family, friends, teammates and coaches," she said at the ceremony at Columbia University. "My experience at the University of Tennessee prepared me for life as a professional basketball player and as a strong, independent woman.

"Coach (Pat) Summitt always says if you surround yourself with great people and players, you are destined for great things. Winning this award and two national championships at Tennessee are, to me, great things."

Anyone who's ever paid any attention whatsoever to women's sports should recognize names like Mia Hamm (soccer), Jackie Joyner (track and field), Lisa Fernandez (softball) and former Lady Vol Chamique Holdsclaw as other recipients of the Cup. To be included in the same breath with that bunch is an honor in itself.

Monday's banquet came on the 36th anniversary of the enactment of Title IX, which bans discrimination in education and sports.

"I still consider this generation to be pioneers of women's sports, because my mom didn't have the same opportunities I have, and my daughter sure will have way more opportunities than I had," Parker told the Associated Press. "That's what I'm playing for."

Already included in her pile of honors were the Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association National Player of the Year, the Associated Press Player of the Year and ESPN.com National Player of the Year.

Seeing Parker posed with these plaques and trophies only makes me shake my head and laugh like when you're listening to that raunchy radio host who crossed the line the minute he came on air but still manages to get you to chuckle.

Back in early March, LSU went undefeated during the SEC regular season and Sylvia Fowles won SEC player of the year ahead of Parker. When asked how an athlete like Parker could be passed up for top honors in her own conference, Tennessee's Summitt pointed to the head-to-head matchup as the likely reason. On Valentine's Day, LSU beat UT 78-62.

However, when you bring up the box score, note how Parker tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and six steals against the Lady Tigers. Fowles had 17 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Can't say that I see where Parker was outdone from an individual standpoint.

That's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes when the victors are decided by a ballot instead of on the playing field. It's tough to accept but at times it's a necessary evil.

Parker appeared to take being shun by the conference as a challenge. All she did afterwards was go out and help Tennessee handle LSU for the SEC tournament championship and then the national title.

Coincidentally, the Lady Vols will be at the White House today to present President George W. Bush with a gift and pose for a team photo. Parker, Nicky Anosike, Alexis Hornbuckle and Shannon Bobbitt won't be there. They've got to play in their respective WNBA games.

It doesn't look like Fowles got an invitation. Maybe we can vote her into the White House some day.