Local Sports
MICHAEL CUMMINGS: AU Club banquet showed AU got at least one hire right
By Michael A. CummingsYou’ve got to hand it to Auburn. They hired the right person for the right job. Right person, right program, right time.
And now they’re reaping the benefits, even if everyone told her she couldn’t win in Auburn.
That’s right, she.
What, you didn’t think I was talking about Gene Chizik, did you?
No, I’m talking about Nell Fortner, the “other” speaker featured Thursday night during the Cullman County Auburn Club banquet at Cullman Civic Center.
For those unaware, this past season Fortner led Auburn’s women’s basketball team to a 30-4 final record and its first regular season Southeastern Conference title in years. Along the way, the Tigers beat national powerhouse Tennessee for the first time since 1997 and finished 12-2 in the SEC.
In her five seasons on the plains, Fortner has compiled a 101-57 record.
In other words, not too shabby.
But it’s not just the results on the court that make Fortner so impressive — a fact she illustrated Thursday at Cullman Civic Center with her engaging public speaking style.
Immediately after taking the podium, Fortner stepped out in front of it.
“I hate standing behind a podium,” she said. “I like moving around a little bit.”
She proved that much before her time with Auburn.
When Fortner arrived in Auburn in 2004, the Tigers coach had already made a name for herself in women’s basketball, most recently as an in-studio analyst for ESPN during the NCAA tournament from 2001-2004.
The Jackson, Miss., native has also had coaching stints at Purdue (1996-97) and with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever (1999-2003).
But her most impressive accomplishment might be leading the United States’ women’s basketball team to a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics.
So while it’s true Fortner has moved around a bit during her career, it’s also safe to say she’s found a home in Auburn. She said as much herself Thursday.
“I’ve been in Auburn for five years, and I’m going to be there (Auburn) for a few more,” she told the audience.
As Fortner showed at Thurday’s banquet, she has goals, she has a plan to reach those goals and she’s enthusiastic about doing so. After last season, it seems like players have bought into the system — and it’s easy to see why.
Fortner has a magnetic personality, she’s charismatic and most importantly, she’s very basketball-savvy.
Though most people — okay, all of them — at Thursday’s banquet were there to hear what Chizik was all about, maybe a few of them came away more impressed with what that “other” speaker had to say.
I know I was.
Michael Cummings can be reached by e-mail at michaelc@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 258.
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