Shea Ralph, Sarah Strong savor AP basketball awards with Vanderbilt and UConn families present
Shea Ralph surveyed the room as she received The Associated Press Coach of the Year award and all she saw was family. On one side was the Vanderbilt coach's assistants and school administrators, as well as her husband, daughter and mother. On the other, was her mentors from UConn, including Huskies coaches Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, for whom she played and worked alongside.
PHOENIX (AP) — Shea Ralph surveyed the room as she received The Associated Press Coach of the Year award and all she saw was family. On one side was the Vanderbilt coach's assistants and school administrators, as well as her husband, daughter and mother. On the other, was her mentors from UConn, including Huskies coaches Geno Auriemma and Chris Dailey, for whom she played and worked alongside.
That made receiving the award alongside UConn's Sarah Strong, who was the AP Player of the Year , extra special. The entire UConn team — including Auriemma — gave Ralph a standing ovation when she accepted the trophy. “I think literally my entire life is here,” Ralph said.
I played at UConn. You guys are my sisters. I love watching you succeed.
Your coaches were my coaches and I learned everything from that man sitting right there. ... The reason that I’m successful is because of you guys and I can’t thank you enough for being here.