USD Men's Basketball 2001-2002

With the United States' boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games, three recent Hall of Fame inductees never got the

•

opportunity to live adream By Debbie Becker ave een

F or Holly Warlick, induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame brought a time to reflect not only on her illustrious career but also to remember a lost opportunity that pains her to this day. Warlick, now in her 16th season

Tennessee's Holly Warlick (above) would have loved to compete for Olympic Gold with Stephen F. Austin's Rosie Walker (right), who was one of the most dominant interior players of her time.

as an assistant to Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt, was one of 10 Hall of Fame inductees in 2001. She was joined by two of her 1980 Olympic teammates, Rosie Walker and LaTaunya Pollard, in an emotional ceremony in Knoxville, Tenn. "The biggest thing for me when I look back is realizing how many people made sacrifices for me, " says Warlick. "Those people, my family, friends, coaches, gave just as much as I did . You realize how important they are in your career. It's a great night to share the honor with them." Friends and family surprised Warlick with a special induction gift, a yellow Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Among those in the audience that night was the woman who coached the 1980 Olympic team that included Warlick, Walker and Pollard: LSU coach Sue Gunter. "It was really, really special to see those kids go in. To me, they'll always be kids," says Gunter, now in her 38th season as a collegiate head coach. Gunter jokes that she sees Warlick "way too often" when the SEC teams bang heads throughout

the season. She remembers Warlick as a fiery competitor on that Olympic team. "Holly was the consummate point guard. She had leadership and the ability to bring out the best in her teammates," says Gunter. "We always teased Holly because she wasn't the best shooter in the world. But she was an outstanding ballhandler and excellent on defense. She commanded respect from her teammates. They were better when Holly was on the floor. " Warlick joined the Tennessee program as a walk-on in 1976 and earned All-America honors four years later. She was point guard on teams that never won fewer than 27 games each season and reached the AIAW Final Four three out of her four years. Warlick also played on the first Tennessee team to be ranked No. 1. A scholarship track athlete by her senior year, Warlick became the first Tennessee athlete, male or female, to have her jersey retired (No. 22 on the basketball court). 'Tm fortunate to have played here, to coach here, " says