Former TCU great Irvin joins women's hoops staff
9/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Sept. 13, 2007
FORT WORTH--Former TCU great Sandora Irvin has been added to the Lady Frog basketball staff, Head Coach Jeff Mittie announced Thursday. Irvin, arguably the top player in school history who lettered from 2001 through 2005, will serve as the Lady Frogs' Director of Operations.
"TCU was a big part of me growing up, and Coach Mittie, the other coaches and the faculty played a big part in my maturation and preparation for the real world," Irvin said. "To come back and be a part of this program is very exciting for me. I'm also excited to be able to see another perspective of the game that I love, not just as a player but from the coaching side. It should be a great experience to be able to give back to this program that gave me so much."
Irvin, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., who has played the last three seasons in the WNBA, is one of the most decorated student-athletes in TCU history. She was named a first-team All-American for TCU by the Associated Press as a senior in 2004-05 while leading the Lady Frogs to a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Also one of four finalists for the prestigious Naismith Trophy that same season, Irvin notched NCAA records for blocked shots both in a single game and for a career with 16 and 480, respectively, in 2004-05.
Irvin still holds numerous TCU career records, including: games started (118), field goals made (686), free throws made (482), points (1,892), scoring average (14.9), rebounds (1,370), rebounding average (10.8) and blocked shots (480). She also recorded the only triple-double in school history with 20 points, 18 rebounds and 16 blocks against UAB on Jan. 16, 2005.
"It's always good to have a former player want to come back," Mittie said. "Sandora wants to start preparing for her life after basketball and feels that she will earn a great deal of experience working with us. She was truly an outstanding player for us and one with great name recognition that will really benefit our program."
Following her All-American career at TCU, Irvin was chosen as the third overall selection in the 2005 WNBA Draft by Phoenix, where she played her first two seasons. She was acquired by the San Antonio Silver Stars via trade during the past off-season.
Irvin recently concluded her best professional season, as she helped the Stars reach the WNBA Western Conference Finals. She played in a career-high 23 regular season games this season to help San Antonio compile a 20-14 record and second-place finish in the Western Conference. The squad won its first-round playoff match-up with Sacramento before falling to Phoenix the following round in two games.
Irvin will continue her professional playing career during the college off-season.
"It's been exciting," Irvin said. "This has probably been the best year that I've had. The team was phenomenal, and we were able to make a good run in the playoffs. I'm definitely excited about playing again next season."
The Lady Frogs begin the 2007-08 season Nov. 1 with a 6:30 p.m. exhibition game against Lake Truck Lines at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum.
