The Tennessee State University women’s basketball team was honored at the State Capitol for winning the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship on April 8.
After roll call, opening prayer and the national anthem, the Lady Tigers were escorted into the House Chambers and celebrated with a standing ovation by the Tennessee House of Representatives. Once the team, coaches and administrators made it to the front of the room, Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr. presented the team with a Resolution for their accomplishments.
“When you talk about student athletes and the achievements that they make on and off court, I think it’s good for us to recognize them,” said Love. “The Lady Tigers were not slated to win the OVC because of the other teams that maybe had better records or were presumed to be the champions. But to have the determination to go into the tournament and not let the other teams intimidate them is a testament to how we should live our lives. Not being intimidated by the circumstances we’re faced with and to keep on striving and pushing to achieve our goals.”
After the Resolution was read and presented to the team, Head Coach Larry Inman addressed the House.
“This is such a great honor. The ladies on this team are about more than just basketball. They are good students in the classroom and in life. They are all going to be very successful people serving the communities that they represent. And what representatives they were for Nashville and the state of Tennessee.”
As the Lady Tigers left the Capitol they were met by a number of Tennessee State supporters and alumni that congratulated them. Sen. Thelma Harper and Rep. Brenda Gilmore were on hand to show their appreciation and took photos with the team after the presentation.
“I’m very proud young ladies who have gone above and beyond the call of duty so to speak,” Inman said.
“They’ve worked extremely hard and have been very successful. Their lives have touched so many and I’m so proud of them and what they’ve accomplished. I’m thankful to the Legislative body of Tennessee that recognized that.”
Tennessee State defeated UT Martin on March 7 in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament Championship to claim the program’s first OVC crown in 20 years.
