The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, February 22, 1982, Page Page 14, Image 14
Sheila Foster Finish*
By MIKE LOUGH f
Intramural Sports Editor I
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for four years." She has remained cheerful and smiling in the
face of problems off the court that would make a lesser I
person demand a straight jacket. She has broken as many
records as there are to break, yet is a rare jewel in that she I
accents the "we" not "I" attitude that is so prevelent in I
sports these days. I
Some know her for her devastating glare on tne court as
she hauls down yet another rebound or for her expertise in
using the "glass." But for many who know her well, Sheila
Foster is known for her smiling.
"I'm just always happy," Foster says.
Two days ago, Sheila Foster played her last game in Frank
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82 campaign on the road. Her No. 53 jersey will never be worn
by a USC women's player again. It was tough for her when
that final buzzer sounded.
"I just thought it's hard to believe it's over,"' she said
quietly. She enjoys it so much all the time and now the party
is almnst nvpr
"I've enjoyed everything these past four years," Foster I.
said. "It's a big honor and it feels great." She said that about I
20 family members plus coaches and friends made the trip
from Spartanburg to see her in her final game in Columbia.
It had to be one of the most emotional moments ever in the
McGuire Arena when Sharon Rivers presented Foster with a
medallion and the two, both battlers against the meager odds'
of survival these days in USC's women's basketball program,
embraced. It was an embrace of thanks on the part of Rivers,
Kelly and thousands of USC fans. The long standing ovation
was deserved. ;
The spotlight was stolen momentarily by walk-on Cindi 1
Rawl, whose poem echoed the thoughts and emotions of
everyone who has ever talked to Sheila Foster, played i
against or with her, and seen her play. i
Just near the end, Rawl, who played with Foster two years,
let her emotions get the best of her.
It wasn't easy for Foster when that final buzzer sounded, i
signifying the last time USC will see her wearing No. 53 in the
Carolina Coliseum.
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Staff Photo by JOHN P ARNELL
Sharon Rivers (left) congratulates Sheila
Foster after the Notre Dame. Foster played
in her last home contest Saturday afternoon.
"I didn't feel bad about anything during my four years,"
she says. "After everything that's happened,' I'm still
nappy."
"I still give (the former) coach a lot of respect," Foster
said. "She knows her stuff. I could get two different stories
about all of that. I didn't want to get involved."
Foster's theme is "team."
"I don't think of anything but basketball and winning," she
says. "I'll help anybody anyway I can.When I'm out there on
the court, I'm behind them."
That is just part of the reason Foster is so valuable.
iBPill
I You're aiming for a college
degree. And with that in hand s
you'll be looking for a job L
offer. You may find it won't li
be automatic. For that reason ji
it's important for you, as a c
I sophomore, to make the ii
most of your last two years
in college. Whatever your [
career choice, you'll want to i
become competitive and
marketable. It won't be easy
but you'll find yourself better
prepared if you look ahead.
I Now.
ARMY ROTC. THE T?
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"She's gonna be a big loss," coach Terry Kelly says,
contemplating the thought of trying to fill the shoes of Foster.
"Not onlv on the court, but off, too. Hopefully, we'll be able to
fill it. Somehow..."
"What can you say?" Kelly ponders. "She our bread and
butter, our main cog. They (the players) have a lot of admiration
and respect for her, not just as a player but as a
person,too.
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tinued. He agreed though, that with all that talent, not much ^ )
coaching is needed. Yet, "She is very coachable."
Foster, among other things, has become a new author of
the Carolina women's record books.
Records set going into this year include: most rebounds in
game, 22 vs USCA (1/5/81); highest field goal percentage in
game, .800,12 of 15 vs NC State (2/26/80); most points scored,
career, 1,639; most field goals, career, 672; most free throws,
career, 295; most free throws attempted, career, 449 most
rebounds, career, 1,089. She is simply making it harder to
break these records by doing things like racking up a record
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every game in her career at Carolina. She will probably
break the top career field goal percentage of .543 held by ^
Katrina Anderson and the single season mark of .563, also
held by Anderson.
She will probably end up as No. 2 on the top career scorers
by average list and third on the rebounding average. She is
second on the top single-season rebounding average list and
is fourth on the career assist list.
"I just go out and play the same old way," she says. "No
reason to change. I wasn't thinking about breaking
anybody's records. I just wanted to play ball."
For four years, Foster has played the "same old way." And
Saturday was a reminder that the end was near. Many people
would have trouble concentrating. Not "old Sheila."
"I said I gotta play ball first," she says in her high-pitched
voice. "I just gotta put everything behind me. Whatever is \ )
gonna happen is gonna happen and I have to play ball first."
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Holland knelt in front of the scorers bench with just over a
minute left.
"I believe it started comin' to me then," she giggled. "I
just thought it's hard to believe it's almost over.'"
Get the facts on leader- j j
;hip management training. . pj
.earn what increases your |
eadership potential in the [ j
ob market. Sophomore, you i i
;an do something about your I <
ife after college. j!
Stop by the Army ROTC t j
Department for this infor- j j
native packet. [ 1
Capt. Fred Hart j |
Legare College I -j
Room 200 - B
777-6542 I <
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