RG: Why is the release of your book 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit' important to you?
YM: The release of my book is very important to me because it's me sharing my personal story to the readers of all the adversities that I've dealt with in my life and how I was able to overcome them. I saw how by me telling my story as a motivational speaker at different events around the country, was actually helping others with what they are going through in their own lives, and so I figured that if they can read my story in a book format, that would be fantastic! I produced the book so that the readers could also write their thoughts in it as well - kind of like a journal - in the hopes that maybe my book with help them like how it helped me.
RG: For the avid reader who enjoys a great book from beginning to end, why should one invest in and read 'You Will Win If You Don't Quit?'
YM: Well, number one, the book is a very easy and quick read. Anyone from fifth grade all the way to adulthood can literally read it without the big words that need to be looked up in the dictionary! (Laughs) Also I am very candid about the things that I went through and there's content in my book that everyone can relate to that has or is currently dealing with life's hardships and triumphs.
RG: The groundbreaking law of Title IX celebrated its 40th anniversary this year of 2K12. Briefly share with me your thoughts on its impact, especially for female athletes.
YM: Without the existence of Title IX, there would be no me, no WNBA, no college sports, no nothing. Title IX opened up the doors for women to not only be able to play those sports, but to also be involved in policy-making positions - to determine where funds go and to create jobs in sports that aren't directly related to an athlete being out on the field. There's coaching, Radio/TV broadcasting, Administration, Sports Marketing and things like that. Title IX is HUGE - not just for women, but for the sports industry at large because again, it opened up so many more doors and it afforded opportunities in other areas of sports other than just playing.
RG: The WNBA just completed it's 16th season this year in 2K12. As a former player and a member of two world championship teams with the Houston Comets back in 1997 and 1998, how proud are you of the incremental growth and success of the league thus far?
YM: Well, having been there from the very first day, people were skeptical - saying that the WNBA wouldn't last because no women's professional basketball league has lasted, like the defunct ABL. So now with the WNBA completing its 16th season is huge because back then in 1997, we didn't know what was going to happen and we didn't know if it was going to be able to maintain the interest of fans, but obviously with the growth of women's college basketball, we have more female superstars now compared to when the league first started. Current Minnesota Lynx All-Star guard Maya Moore was probably the most recognizable college female basketball player ever when she played at UConn outside of Candace Parker and Chamique Holdsclaw (both out of Tennessee). The opportunities for the players to gain exposure is so much more prevalent now than it was 16 years ago when the WNBA first came about. You got Maya (Moore) being the first female athlete to be signed to Jordan Brand, and that's huge! So of course when you have opportunities like that, then it shows the growth of the league because now there are young girls who are growing up who have never known the world without the WNBA. I'm just so thrilled that we are still here, still standing and still strong. The game has gotten better and more exciting, and the quality and the skill-sets of the players has gotten a lot better.
RG: When the historic Houston Comets franchise folded from the league, how devastating was that occurence for you?
YM: I was heartbroken, and I am still a little touched about that because nobody - from the coaches, to the players, etc. - saw it coming. The Houston Comets set the tone of excellence for the league with the caliber of players that we had. Sheryl Swoopes was the first woman to have her own signature shoe with Nike. We had the imcomparable and incredible Cynthia Cooper, our team MVP, and the first WNBA player to be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Tina Thompson was the first-ever draft pick in the history of the WNBA. It was much more than just a dynasty....There were so many 'firsts' associated with that team and so much excellence and success. We had the greatest fans. The city of Houston, Texas and the world embraced us because of what we were able to accomplish in the first four years of the league with winning those championships.
RG: What's the best advice you give to your children?
YM: Do what makes you happy....Figure out what it is that you are truly passionate about and what's in your heart, and focus solely on that thing.
RG: What's the best piece of advice you can give to a talented young female student-athlete who is going through the daily struggles, but yet has the aspirations to become a success not just in sports, but in life?
YM: Find out what your passion is. if it's sports, and if you can't play due to a career-ending injury that you may have suffered or something like that - find out some other aspect of the game that you can become involved in, research those things, find out what it takes to get to that particular position/level and then focus your energies on getting here, but never ever quit. Just know that it's doable and it's going to take some work, but set your goals, map out your plan, do your research, figure out who's doing what it is that you want to do, and find out how they did it. On that end, I would say to get a mentor at all costs and go for it. There's somebody out there that is willing and genuinely wants to help you.
RG: What can we anticipate from you in the near future?
YM: I'm currently gearing up for a college speaking tour....Obviously, I'll be writing more books....I have a training and development company that focuses on women in transition, so I'll be doing a lot more on that end. I'll also be definitely getting into more television and radio work as well.
www.yolandamoore33.com
