I
Wednesday, September 23, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Dixon enjoying her job
Former women's basketball player happy with WNBA
Tamecka Dixon holds the picture that commemorates her selection as an All-American. Dixon just finished her second season with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Contributed photo.
By Sam Mellinger
Kansas sportswriter
Just two years out of college, former Kansas basketball player Tamecka Dixon thinks she has found the perfect way to make a living.
"My job is basketball," the Los Angeles Sparks point guard said. "I like to say it's the best job in America."
She has a point. During the seven-month WNBA off-season, she lives in her native New Jersey and is able to work out regularly and spend time with friends.
Much like television's Cheers, everybody in Linden, N.J., seems to know Dixon's name, and many want an autograph, picture or just to talk.
"All the time, it's cool," she said.
"With media and fans, we try to give more of ourselves. You see how some of the NBA guys act; they're uncomfortable. I go out to eat a lot with friends, and people will come up to me. Sometimes you just want to be with your friends, but it's good to be recognized for what you're doing."
When the WNBA is in season — from May to September — she lives in Los Angeles. Last season, Dixon ranked fifth in the league in scoring (16.2 points per game), eighth in free-throw accuracy (77.9 percent), and added 2.5 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Dixon's success in professional basketball puts a smile on the face
of Kansas coach Marian Washington.
"I'm very, very proud of her," Washington said. "It does my heart good to see her achieve what she's done."
Ditto for the Kansas basketball team.
"I think she represents a commitment to our program," Washington said. "When we make commitments to these players, we tell them it's a lifetime commitment. When you have players who are wanting
to come back and visit, it speaks very highly of your program."
The former coach and player keep in regular contact.
"I love that," Dixon said. "I spent four years with Coach Washington, and if anybody knows what's going
on with me, it's her."
has become friends with the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Derek Fisher and Eddie Jones, among others.
"I've been to a couple parties that Shaquille did," she said. "I'm really close to a couple of guys on the Lak
ers. It's like a family."
The friendships with NBA players was one reason many in the WNBA wanted to form a union and join their male counterparts, she said.
"The union issue is killing us," Dixon said. "We'll definitely unionize, but salaries won't be our big thing. We basically want better health benefits."
The debate about unionizing is one of the negatives Dixon has encountered in her two WNBA seasons, but she expects no sympathy.
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"There's always a bad side, too. We've been through three coaches, and sometimes players get cut for no apparent reason," she said. "But you've got to deal with it. It's still been great to have the opportunity to play in the country and make a living. It been a blessing."
USING THE INTERNET IN THE JOB SEARCH
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3:30 - 149 Burge Union
University Career and Employment Services
110 Burge Union 864-3624
www.ukans.edu/~upc
Domestic & Foreign Complete Car Care
842-8665
842-8665
2858 Four Wheel Dr.
Volleyball:
Managers' Meeting - 10/4
7:00pm, 156 Robinson
Officials' Meeting - 10/4
8:00pm, 156 Robinson
Entry Fee - $30 per team
Floor Hockey:
Managers' Meeting - 9/27
7:00pm, 156 Robinson
Officials' Meeting - 9/27
8:00pm, 156 Robinson
Entry Fee - $45 per team
For more information contact Recreation Services at 864-8546,208 Robinson.
Stop by any of the four KU campus ATMs today and play the Big Star Bonus Game. You may also enter, even if you don't have a Commerce account by visiting the Commerce branch in the Kansas Union. You can also visit the Kansas Union branch for details and limitations. Stop by and play today. You could wind up seeing stars!
four Commerce Bank ATMs on the KU campus and you could win cash in our Big Star Bonus Game. To play, simply check your ATM receipt. If you see a star, you've won. Then take your winning receipt to the new Commerce branch on the 4th floor of the Kansas Union where you can claim your prize from September 14th to September 25th.
Discover why our customers are saying, "For my money, it's Commerce."
The Big Star Bonus Game is our way of celebrating the opening of our new Kansas Union branch and our ATMs in Burge Union, Kansas Union, Wescoe and the Jayhawk Bookstore. With so many locations to serve you, Commerce gives you convenient access whenever you need money. So you can stop by between classes or on the way to the game. Best of all, you can tap our ATMs no matter where you bank. Because Commerce is wired to banks from coast-to-coast.
4TM LOCATIONS
★ Kansas Union ★ Burge Union
★ Jayhawk Bookstore ★ Wescoe
★ Branch 864-5846
We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign USED & New Sports Equipment
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Juccers Showgirls
Wednesdays
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with student ID
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Open Tues.-Thur. & Sun.
7:30pm to 1:00am
Fri. & Sat. 7:30pm-2:00am
913 N. Second
841-4122
The University of Kansas School of Fine Arts Lied Center Swarthout Chamber Music Series presents
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