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Women’s Basketball: New Trier grad brings Sky to old haunts
Sylvia Fowles of the Chicago Sky, center, rises toward the basket in the second half at Allstate Arena Wednesday, July 13, 2011, in Rosemont. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times
Updated: April 9, 2012 7:33PM
As a one-time part-time outfielder for the New Trier baseball team, Adam Fox saw it as a good situation.
The former Trevian will return to his alma mater on May 10 and show off how he has stayed active in the world of sports.
The Glencoe resident is now President and CEO of the Sky, Chicago’s WNBA franchise. His Sky club will play its first exhibition game against the Washington Mystics to help expose the women’s professional game to the fans at New Trier. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
“I loved my experiences at New Trier,’’ the ‘85 grad said. “There were lots of great opportunities. We want to build our fan base and are expecting a full gym.”
The Sky grabbed Fox from the Chicago Wolves organization and it’s been his job to spread Sky fever across Chicago. New Trier wasn’t the only school contacted for this game but Fox felt his former school showed the most interest.
“New Trier had been proactive,’’ Fox said. “They have good sports across the board.”
Sky star Sylvia Fowles (LSU) and Mystics great Dominique Canty (Alabama) coming to the New Trier gym for a real basketball matchup next month?
New Trier girls coach Teri Rodgers is all over this.
“It’s a great thing for all of our kids,’’ Rodgers said. “It’s really exciting. We are really honored that they chose us.”
Rodgers played her prep hoops at Libertyville, where one of the her Wildcats teams qualified for the Elite Eight. She took her skills to Duke University, but never gave much thought to playing basketball after college.
“I was going to be a doctor,’’ she said. “But I love the women’s game. What a great experience for these players to do something that you really like to do.”
Rodgers credited her athletic department for seizing upon this rare opportunity. More good news for the program is proceeds from the game will help feed the booster club.
Fox is sure the guests at this game will be in for a rare treat.
“Sylvia Fowles had been with the U.S. National team and also the Olympic Team,’’ he said. “She’s the finest center in the world.”
Fowles stands 6-foot-6 and led the Sky in scoring a year ago at 20 points a game. She also gets help on the boards from 6-5 Ruth Riley (Notre Dame). Former Rutgers star guard Epiphanny Prince was second on the Sky in scoring at 13.6.
“Our players like the public quite a bit,’’ Fox said. “We have a nice commitment from the NBA and the women’s game keeps on getting better.”
The Mystics will answer with a pair of former ACC stars in Monique Curry (Duke) and Crystal Langhorne (Maryland).
It’s clear this a win-win situation for fans of women’s basketball.
“This has to motivate you to work harder,’’ Rodgers said. “Hopefully, we can get a big crowd.’’
Tickets, which include a post-game autograph session with all the Sky players, are $15. Call (866) SKY-WNBA, visit www.chicagosky.net, or click on the New Trier website at www.newtrier.k12.il.us.
