In the Know with... Adrianne Ross
2/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 13, 2008
Adrianne Ross (Hobbs, N.M./Hobbs H.S.) is looking to have a dramatic ending to an already remarkable career with the Lady Frogs.
Known as "The Boss" to not only her teammates but also her hometown, Ross has guided the Lady Frogs to three consecutive NCAA post-season appearances. Though the nickname assumes domineering and authoritative characteristics, Ross doesn't exude any of those qualities as the hard-working senior guard is an inspirational leader both on and off the court.
Ross was an instrumental and key player for the Lady Frogs' backcourt upon her arrival to the TCU campus as a freshman and since Day One has created magic every time she steps foot on the court.
Following a successful rookie campaign, Ross was looking for her sophomore season to be even more exciting until an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in her left knee sidelined her just a few games into the season. This was not a setback for Ross as her motivation and determination to get back onto the court put her in position as a top competitor for the Lady Frogs the following campaign.
After a year of not playing, Ross was ready for a second try as a sophomore after earning red-shirt status for the 2004-05 campaign. Becoming one of TCU's go-to-players, "The Boss" started all 31 games where she scored in double figures in 22 contests and led the Mountain West Conference in steals. For her efforts on the court for the Lady Frogs, Ross earned her first piece of hardware as she was selected as a third team All-Mountain West Conference selection.
While Ross had a stellar season during the 2005-06 campaign, it couldn't match what the 2006-07 season would bring as the TCU guard became the second player in program history to be selected as the Conference Player of the Year. An All-American award winner for the Lady Frogs, Ross led the Mountain West Conference in scoring and became the ninth player in program history to score over 1,000 career points for the Purple and White.
Entering the 2007-08 season, Ross was selected as a Pre-Season All-American candidate and was on pace to break multiple school records. While "The Boss" has already broken the program's all-time record for career steals, the milestones were the last thing on her mind as Ross was focused on winning one game at a time in order to reach the Lady Frogs' eighth consecutive post-season appearance.
Ross and the Lady Frogs have notched a 14-9 overall record - including a 7-2 mark in Mountain West Conference action.
We got to know Ross a little better as we sat down with her to chat about her extraordinary career as a member of the Lady Frogs.
On who has been the most influential person in her career:
"My brother (Ronald) is a great inspiration because he was an All-American guard at Texas Tech under Bobby Knight. Our games are similar, and we have common goals both on and off the court."
On overcoming a knee injury early in her sophomore season:
"That was the most adversity I've ever gone though as a individual. It was tough having to sit on the bench, but it made me realize how much I missed and appreciated having basketball in my life. Once you don't have it, you realize how much you've missed it."
On being nicknamed "The Boss":
"If my last name wasn't Ross, I still think my nickname would be "The Boss." Coming from a small town in New Mexico and being the "big fish" in the small pond was where the name came from. Boss and Ross just got well together so that's how it stuck."
On the most exciting point in her career:
"Being named the Mountain West Conference Player of the Year was a big honor, especially with all the other great players in the conference. Also - getting to travel to exciting places like Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Cancun is always fun for all of us."
On the responsibilities of having played as a true freshman:
"Coach Mittie recruits the run-and-gun type of players and the year that I got here that was all you saw on the roster, and I just fit in really well. The first few weeks brought a lot of pressure, but it began to get easier once I got used to the new atmosphere."
On the biggest leadership challenge:
"I've been in the program going on five years so I know what it takes to get the job done. I try not to focus on being a leader so I try to let my actions do the talking, and it helps knowing that there are four other seniors going through the same things."
On the motivation to make the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight time in her career:
"We started off rough, but it's not about how you start, it's about how you finish. We're going to focus on trying to finish strong and take it one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves."
On balancing school, basketball and a social life:
"Once basketball season starts it becomes my social life because I spend so much more time with my teammates, and we get to know each other really well. We are also able to utilize our resources at the academic center by getting tutors if we need them."
On being an intern as a sideline football reporter for The Mtn. Network, Versus and CSTV:
"It was a lot of fun, and I could definitely see myself doing that in the future. I know I want to be around sports, and it was really a good learning experience."
TCU Athletic Media Relations
