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q(pN9<>܎'~3  $ZKmRO˜Y`NnT1܇ЊwEN85_6vDIr!}i#/?Ok!raڶ dt?'c#=)]=Jf9j܀0O'$W/AkԃO(@%/-Cw ;zc+y0]ּz6, ㆍwHgQP7A?{q~>KvUA G{ AH}okgKKQv.!Qd|5oEǘGAOҦ]x>6RPsRʍEj"j$2}i𣟥2i{0b[UAU hxZD38mLm.THV0}H_֠&Ȧ%.*hlUG*zU( m@ f) ojhZ3*Wێ\#=TØ>IEqr> m30<|?hfȶڲ2d` f>Ӷ 1A%>aE,O|ҔlPOU( 4.8vSrs8)ۏ4Q@y p:f)0%zמ=hs&8$=袀岩 6@\Ex/z\ aEy$j( A (›z(aT2>'󢊤&UiNQWdMlor was raised by her mother and grandmother after her father died of a stroke at the age of 6.&nbsp; She knew the meaning of hard work with her memories of being in the cotton fields.&nbsp; "I was lucky," remembered Coach Taylor.&nbsp; "I was raised on family values.&nbsp; My grandmother Robinson told me 'God don't like ugly and he's not too crazy about pretty either,' and that's how I was raised to be a real person and to treat others how I wanted to be treated.</P> <P>Coach Taylor went from Cleveland to Texas Southern University in Houston.&nbsp; "Basketball was my ticket to a free education," said Taylor.&nbsp; She finished as TSU's all-time top ten scoring, rebounding and games played.&nbsp; Coach Taylor was born to coach.&nbsp; She even took over the team as captain/coach in her senior year at Texas Southern.&nbsp; After trying to work at a hospital for three years, she could not stand being away from basketball and resigned.&nbsp; "I realized coaching was a passion with me."</P> <P>Coach Taylor landed her first job at Lamar and then in 1991 she went to American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts where she completely turned their program around.&nbsp; She became the head coach at Northeastern Illinois in 1993 and took that team to consecutive winning seasons and that was after the school had experienced an eight-year 21-183 record.&nbsp; When the WNBA opportunity arose, Taylor sent a resume to all eight teams and Utah liked her instantly.</P> <P>"I did not train with weights in high school," recalled Coach Taylor.&nbsp; "But now, strength and conditioning is having a tremendous impact on women's basketball.&nbsp; When I was at Texas Southern from 1980 to 1984 I did a combination of free weights and machines but not a lot.&nbsp; We did not have scheduled workouts and stretching was not big but it is now.&nbsp; If I had lifted correctly and known what to do back then I might be playing in the WNBA instead of coaching," she said laughing.</P> <P>At Northeastern Illinois, Coach Taylor did not have a formal strength program in her first year.&nbsp; "We didn't do Squats and Cleans but then I got a strength coach, Ed Lopez, who had a track background.&nbsp; We did Squats and Cleans from that point.&nbsp; Coach Lopez knew what to do."</P> <P>"If I were a high school coach," affirmed Coach Taylor, "I would start my players in the 7th grade.&nbsp; When people think that weights will ruin your touch, I tell them that's a myth.&nbsp; As far as losing your femininity, I believe that is changing.&nbsp; That too is a myth.&nbsp; Things are changing through education.&nbsp; Fitness is in.&nbsp; Health is in.</P> <P>"I believe sports can help your self confidence and discipline.&nbsp; Lifting weights for your sport just adds to that.&nbsp; Some people are afraid a girl could get muscle bound if they lift weights.&nbsp; Well, I have never seen that happen to my players.</P> <P>"The biggest reward in coaching is how we, as coaches, can touch people by helping them achieve their dreams.&nbsp; Helping my girls like a mother would.&nbsp; Making a positive difference when girls are at a real vulnerable and impressionable age.&nbsp; X's and O's are fine but your main job is to help people grow."</P> <P>Coach Taylor begins each practice with everyone holding hands saying the Lord's Prayer.&nbsp; This is followed by a thought for the day.&nbsp; For example, Coach Taylor asked her team to comment on the thought, "Your character is your destiny."</P> <P>The Starzz are dedicated to the game and their coach.&nbsp; They are excited about the WNBA and being a part of this great pioneering effort in women's sports.&nbsp; We thank them and especially Coach Taylor for be