
Sheryl Swoopes
First player to be signed in the WNBA when it was created in 1996. She has won three Olympic Gold Medals, 4 Time WNBA Champion
Inspired by her mother, Louise, who single-handedly raised four children, Sheryl Swoopes’ first basketball memory is “going to nationals with the Little Dribblers team when she was eight years old.” From that point on, Swoopes has continued to leave her mark on the game of women’s professional basketball and women’s athletics, establishing herself as a…
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Inspired by her mother, Louise, who single-handedly raised four children, Sheryl Swoopes’ first basketball memory is “going to nationals with the Little Dribblers team when she was eight years old.” From that point on, Swoopes has continued to leave her mark on the game of women’s professional basketball and women’s athletics, establishing herself as a household name in sport.
The first woman to have her own Nike shoe named after her, Air Swoopes, this 2003 season WNBA’s Defensive Player of the Year has achieved many respected accolades during her career. Many have noted that Swoopes is “one of the best players ever” in the game of women’s basketball.” She was also recognized and awarded an ESPY at the 2000 ESPY Awards Show for “Female Professional Basketball Player of the Year,” and was again nominated for a 2003 ESPY. Swoopes has repeatedly been named to the All-WNBA First Team in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2002, and was named to the All WNBA Second Team for 2003. Named as the “2002 WNBA Player of the Year,” Swoopes was also awarded “2003 Defensive Player of the Year”—awards that she also achieved in 2002 and 2000.
As the leading vote getter in WNBA All-Star voting in 2003, 2002, 2000 and 1999, Sheryl has also recorded numerous double-doubles in her career. In 2003, she was also nominated by BET for “Female Athlete of the Year” alongside Venus Williams, Serena Williams, and Lisa Leslie. She was named by Ebony magazine as a 2003 Sister in the Spotlight.
A three-time Olympian, outside of her professional career with the WNBA, Swoopes has been received Gold Medals at the1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics. In 2003, she was also a member of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team that played 52 games around the world to prepare for the Olympics. As an integral force in representing the US, Swoopes has participated in the 1994 Goodwill Games, 1999 Winter European Tour and the 2002 World Games.
Sidelined for the 2001-2002 season with a torn ACL injury, Swoopes rebounded in the 2002 season with exemplary play and performance earning the recognition of the WNBA league’s MVP. Those same levels of dedication, commitment, diligence and perseverance are constants that she also exhibits in her endeavors away from the basketball court.
While honored to have received the distinguished accolades for her on court presence, Swoopes is proud of her accomplishments off-court as well. Dedicated to educating, enhancing, and empowering our youth, she is extremely active in the community, and recently established a foundation dedicated to these efforts, the Sheryl Swoopes Foundation for Youth (S.S.F.Y.).
Swoopes has served as an Advisory Board Member for M.A.D.D and is currently on the Advisory Council for Talbots Foundation. She has appeared on The Today Show, The Weakest Link, CNN’s Paula Zahn Show, ESPN as a guest analyst, and was invited by President George W. Bush to join him for the Opening Ceremonies at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.
A native of Brownfield (Lubbock), Texas, Swoopes attended Texas Tech University. In January 2004, Sheryl was honorably recognized as one of “Houston’s Living Legends,” and in October of that same year, was inducted, by Gov. Rick Perry (Tx.), into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, in March 2005, Swoopes was profiled by The Houston Press in an anniversary issue as one of Houston’s “most prominent” individuals.
In her spare time Swoopes, a single parent, enjoys spending quality time with her son, playing volleyball, conducting camps and clinics, and traveling the country delivering inspirational messages of “…dedication and determination towards success” to audiences of all ages and demographic groups.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
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A Conversation With Sheryl Swoopes
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Sheryl Swoopes Reflects on Decorated Career, Future Ahead
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