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99' The Battalion Mnesday -June 18, 1997 Women have got next ipt« lew professional league set to begin play Saturday NEW YORK (AP) — They are [t j King, fast, sweaty and yes, some of can dunk. These are the !men of the WNBA, the new pro ketball league that promises an jressive, finesse-filled game much jierthan anyone expects. Iheleague enters a crowded sports 5 irket where male athletes rule and othernew women’s basketball ven- ancfe, the American Basketball League, ighting for fans. So, while the WNBA claims “We got f how long can it hold the court? ‘Wehave no idea what to expect this ereibyear,” says Olympic gold medalist port tbecca Lobo, a 6-4 center/forward nit itithe New York Liberty. “But the rea- |tatisii Jcati ifonti i Mat hat pit" lussaii pus Veterans, new stars ready for tip-off le radi IfoiM existi |Vr ai son we joined this league is because we believe we’re part of something that’s going to get much better. “We’re laying a foundation and we expect to be celebrating our 50th anniversary just like the NBA did this year.” Of course, that is also the hope of the NBA, which owns and operates the league. To try to make that happen, the WNBA’s big brother has organized mar-* keting, corporate sponsorship and na tional TV coverage that is unprecedent ed for a new league and all carefully planned to raise awareness of women’s basketball. With sponsors like GM and Nike and three nationally televised games a week — starting with the first game June 21 — the eight-team WNBA is off to a flying start. “This is a historic moment. The start of the WNBA marks a new era in the evolution of women’s sports and professional sports in this country," WNBA president Val Ackerman said. “Our interests are very much long term. We recognize that it is going to take time to develop a stable fan base and we’re focusing on the future of the league. We believe that you cannot underestimate the importance of prime-time TV coverage. The expo sure will set us apart.” Please see Preview on Page 6. Comparing the leagues On June 21, eight new Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) teams start their regular season. Here’s how the WNBA measures up to the NBA: Ball circumference: Number of teams: Avg. player height: Game time: Time on shot clock: Height of basket: Distance of 3-point line to basket: WNBA 28.5 in. 8 WNBA 5 ft. 11 1/2 in. two 20-minute halves 30 seconds 10ft. 19 ft. 9 in. 30 in. 29 6 ft. 7 in. two 24-minute halves 24 seconds 10 ft. 22 ft. New league epitomizes true spirit ofbasketball Kristina Buffin Sports Editor, Senior journalism major Source: WNBA, NBA EWYORK — Nancy Lieberman- Cline waited 13 years for the NBA to back a women’s pro league. And as dif Jtbided her time, she hoped one thing — |s teiF e slowly. The 38-year-old guard finally has her ed dif"’ 1 in the WNBA, which tips off June 21. She is among the marquee players in the tjJ eight-team league, joining the likes of edt ^Olympic gold medalists Lisa Leslie, Re- alobo and Sheryl Swoopes — players fortll*longout of diapers when Lieberman- alai fewon a silver medal in 1976. Not only is Lieberman-Cline the WNBA’s iestplayer, she is already been inducted cate )the basketball Hall of Fame. In 1984, she talked to NBA commissioner lOjefcidStern about forming a women’s tgae. Stern said it was part of his plan and just hoped she was still playing when the in tl|!giie became a reality. “Ihoped I would age rather slowly,” said feman-Cline, who played in two short- women’s leagues in the early 1980s be- thePhoenix Mercury selected her in the (ttdraft. lemade a name for herself as a no look-passing point guard at Old Dominion, leading the school to AIAW championships in 1979 and 1980. After stints in the women’s leagues, she played two years in the men’s USBL, became a broadcaster and was in ducted into the Hall of Fame last year. “Every day I walk out to practice, I have a big smile on my face,” Lieberman- Cline said. "I know it’s two hours of hard work, but I see the love, camaraderie and respect. A lot of people have worked hard to build what we have, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.” As for Swoopes, she cap tured people’s attention with slashing drives and laser three-point ac curacy, scoring a record 47 points for Texas Tech in the 1993 NCAA championship game against Ohio State. She will not be doing that in the WNBA right away. She is expecting her firstborn A lot of people have worked hard to build what we have, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.” Nancy Lieberman-Cline Phoenix Mercury guard this month and may not play this season. After college, Swoopes spent three un happy months playing professionally in Italy, then worked as a bank teller in Lub bock, Texas, staying in shape in pick-up games with men. Along with Leslie and Lobo, Swoopes made the national team, went on a yearlong unde feated tour (60-0) and won an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta. She has been called the female Michael Jor dan and is the only woman to have a signa ture shoe — Air Swoopes. The 6-foot forward was one of the first two players the WNBA signed and was assigned to the Houston Comets. Swoopes, 26, and hus band Eric Jackson are celebrating their second anniversary this month and their present will be a son. His name? Jordan, of course. “She’s feeling good, and has her feet up,” Lieberman-Cline said. "It would be nice to get her back this season and into the fold.” Lobo, one of the most recognized and highly paid players in the league, has not played on a losing team in over three years. She led Connecticut (35-0) to the NCAA championship in 1995, and then served as a deep reserve on the Olympic team, averag ing 8 1/2 minutes a game in Atlanta. A 6-4 center-forward with the New York Liberty, Lobo will face former Olympic teammate Leslie in the league’s first game, in Los Angeles. The Liberty-Sparks matchup will be televised nationally on NBC. Lobo, 23, is still somewhat of a rookie compared with other WNBA players. Nonetheless, fans clamor for her autograph everywhere she goes. "Right now I don’t feel pressure, I’m ex cited,” Lobo said. “It was the same way with the Olympic team.... There have al ways been tremendously talented women, and now people will have their eyes opened to them.” Please see Players on Page 6. A bout two years ago, I wrote a column advocat ing the creation of a women’s basketball league. At the time, women’s college bas ketball was gaining notoriety and many fans were looking for a professional league in the United States which would allow women to show off their talents. Well, the National Basketball Association must have gotten a copy of The Battalion and read my column that year. Starting Saturday, one of the two women’s professional leagues will begin, the WNBA. While the American Basketball League finished up its season earlier this season, the WNBA players are proclaiming, “We got next!” While many do not believe that women’s basketball can create a fan base, the WNBA has a fighting shot. This league is funded by the NBA and is be ing heavily played up. During the NBA finals, promos were run at every commercial break and NBC, ESPN and the Life time channel are all going to be broadcasting games. Talk about saturation. The ABL did not find much success earlier this year but the WNBA has more stars and more money. College players such as Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoopes and Nancy Lieberman-Cline will all be participating. Please see Buffin on Page 4 <A, Now on The Battalion’s web page A 24-hour, multimedia news service for the Internet from The Associated. Press : news rei I as soon as newst http://bat-web.tam.edu SPEND SPRING 1998 AT SANTA CHIARA Attend Informational.meetings offered by the Study Abroad Program Office Room 154, Bizzell Hall West Wednesday, June 18 3:30 - 4:15 pm 1?: ■ * T1JBL. X, xVs TSissTrl;- i* x» g xautf 1 Feature Programs Contact the Rec Center Member's Services Desk at H4.'i-7H2(> or call DeAun Woosley at I|(>2-3995. Jitterbug & Two-Step for Beginners Monday and Wednesday 8:30-10:00 pm tone Ift, 18, 23, 25, 30, & July 2 ! Tuesday and Thursday June 17- July 17 Hh 6pm-7pm leve '2: 7pm-8pm F.R.E.S.H. Start Wellness Program Program begins June 17 ♦with the Fitness Assessment The F.R.E.S.H. Start Wellness program can help your way to a healthier life style. Enjoy a six week program that will assess your progress in exercising, eating nutritiously, and managing stress. Register at the Rec Center members Services Desk, or call DeAun Woosley at 862-3995. TEXAS A&M fifEC SPORTS For Information Call 845-7826 Or Visit OUR HOMEPAGE AT http://recsports.tamu.eduI COMPUTER REPAIR & SUPPORT College Station Facility UCS continues to grow with more than 2000 clients nationwide. We sell and support powerful systems including PC’s, CRT’s, printers, modems, controllers, mainframes, and many other devices. Current open positions require formal electronics training and an interest in the computer industry. The following positions require relocation to our multimillion dollar expansion site in Bryan/College Station. TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Will provide ongoing, daily support regarding the repair and maintenance of customized computer systems to our technicians and client base. Duties also involve testing and researching hardware issues relating to all UCS equipment. Associate’s degree or military electronics training is required. BENCH TECHNICIAN TRAINER: Will involve component level repair of all UCS peripheral equipment at our College Station facility. No travel involved. All tools and scopes provided. Associate’s degree or Military electronics training is required. HARDWARE TECHNICIAN TRAINER: Will involve developing and conducting training programs for incoming UCS hardware technicians. Should possess knowledge of electronics and an interest in teaching. Degree preferred. HARDWARE TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION: Will involve writing, editing, support and production of hardware publications. Bachelor’s degree is preferred. Any knowledge of Interleaf, Photoshop or Windows software would be helpful. All offer full salary plus a benefits package including medical, dental and vision insurance, direct deposit, 401k and semi-annual performance evaluations. UCS promotes a healthy lifestyle by sponsoring a variety of sports events and hiring only non-tobacco users. EOE. To find out more about these opportunities, please call or submit resume to: Universal Computer Systems, Inc. Attn, ad# 486 6700 Hollister, Houston, TX 77040 1-800-883-3031, fax (713) 718-1401 http://www.ucs-systems.com