Guestbook entries

Genuinely sweet

I honestly thought, before meeting Sue, that she would be stuck up and unapproachable and with all of the attention she gets. After meeting her, I found this to be exactly the opposite. I was at a Seattle Storm season ticket holders' party this past season at Gameworks in downtown Seattle. I had taken pictures with most of the players, but I had not had the opportunity to take a picture with Sue. I asked if she would sign my t-shirt, which said NY PD and to take a picture with me. She was so nice. So easy to talk to and be around. She put her arm around my waist and took a picture with me. She grabbed me tight, not afraid to hold onto me when taking a picture with me. That was the first time I realized how strong she is for one thing, and that hug told me all I wanted to know about Sue Bird. She is genuine.

She cares about her team, fans, friends and family. Sometimes it's more than just words or a smile that is telling of a person. I love this kid and would be proud to have her as my daughter. I'm certain that she will prove to be a great role model, because she is the real deal. Genuine.

David Martin, Kirkland

Snubbed by Lisa, signed by Sue

I went to the Storm's playoff game in L.A. with a friend of mine. We were getting autographs and Lisa Leslie and Mwadi Mabika walked by. We called for them to come over, but they didn't even think twice about us. Being young girls, that surprised us, because every other player came over, or at least said they were sorry and that they couldn't. But when Sue walked by, she was so nice. She signed our programs, and even stayed to talk to us for a while. She was the nicest one. She also played her heart out during the game. I will always love Sue Bird.

Allison

A humble superstar

Sue has will always be a favorite of mine. I've been a fan of hers since her freshman year in college, even though that was a rocky time for her. Every time I've been in Sue's presence she has always been nice, generous, and caring. I've had the chance to meet her twice, and both of them, she has been so down to earth. She does not come out as being a huge celebrity. I think that's why so many people can relate to her.

The first time I met her it was sort of out of the blue. It was at a UConn men's soccer game and I spotted her in the stands there. I was so nervous because it wasn't like I was expecting to see her there, so I blurted out the dorkiest things when I was talking to her. I felt like such an idiot, but Sue was just so nice and funny she didn't even care that I sounded star-struck. She was just really friendly, along with a few other UConn players there, and it was so cool to have that really welcoming atmosphere around me.

Sue Bird is a great basketball player, and a really special person that I am surely never to forget.

Emma

Picture-perfect role model

I had no idea who Sue Bird was a few weeks ago, and I still probably wouldn't recognize her if I passed her on the street, but I have a little story about her. I'm a stay-at-home mother of four, three of them little girls. I'm also an avid scrap-booker. My husband, who is a huge sports fan, wanted to take the girls (one at a time) to a Storm game since we live close to the Key Arena this summer. Being ever mindful of the possible scrapbook pages that could be done of my 4-year-old's first trip to a professional WNBA game, I sent them off with a camera in hand.

It wasn't until we got that film developed that I learned all about Sue Bird! Of the 12 pictures my husband took, two were of my daughter, and 10 were of Sue Bird! Wanting to know more about his new obsession, I asked around, and was told that she was the Michael Jordan of women's basketball. And to think we are now owners of two of her bobble-head dolls! In all seriousness, keep up the good work, Sue. I'm thrilled that my daughters will have a role model like you to look up to!

Michelle R.

Cheering the victors

The day after UConn won the National Championship and went 39-0, my mom pulled me out of school early to go celebrate with the team at Gampel Pavilion.

The players got off the bus one by one. We were cheering and one of the people we saw said hi to us and it was Sue! It was so cool, they were friendly but tired of course from their flight and all of the hype from San Antonio. So we went inside before they got there and they introduced the players one by one and they each came out. Sue got the biggest ovation. Our throats were so sore by the end of the night. It was an experience I will never forget and that I hope I can experience again. But it won't be the same without the fab four! GO SUE!

-The UConn Fan who goes All Out

Such a great icon!

Sue is simply a player that all women's basketball fans dream about!

She's got the look, unique personality and talent. Young girls can look up to her as a role model and others can be inspired by her. I had never thought of following the sport until she came to the scene. She always seem to have fun in the competitiveness. It is just refreshing to see her out there playing the game that she and most of us love. Even with all the media hype and off-court pressures, as a rookie, she has shown everyone that she can play the game with the best in the WNBA. Seattle is a young team, but I am looking forward to see more of the Bird/Jackson combination in the future. Keep up the good work, Sue!

Sheila, Medford, Mass.

Raising the bar

I think Sue Bird has brought the popularity of women's basketball to the next level. She is a wonderful player and person as well. It just brings tears to my eyes to watch her play. Sue Bird rocks the court big time!

Laura S., Albuquerque, NM

Memorable moments

At the end of the very last game that Sue Bird ever played in Gampel Pavilion this past season, the team began to run off the court in victory. Sue Bird, understanding the magnitude of the moment, stopped all of her teammates and assembled them at mid-court where they all waved and applauded the UConn faithful. Sue even persuaded fellow teammate Diana Taurasi to stand at half court and perform Sue’s favorite cheer (when the UConn fans chant U - C - O - N - N, UCONN!, UCONN!, UCONN! in unison). I was at that game and let me tell you that the 10,026 people who fill Gampel every night suddenly sounded like 50,000 people. It was deafening. Sue was simply beaming. That infectious smile was bigger and brighter than ever.

Soon after, all the players left through the tunnel and much of the crowd had dispersed, but roughly 2,000 refused the leave Gampel Pavilion until they could say goodbye one last time to the Fab 4 seniors. I was one of the 2,000 fans who clapped our hands, stomped our feet, and vocalized our appreciation for a solid 15 minutes. Finally, Sue Bird and her fellow seniors ran back onto the court and gave the crowd high-fives and cheers as they ran by.

It was nothing earth shattering, it wasn’t a loud ticker tape parade, it wasn’t a national championship victory celebration (not yet anyway). It was just one of those moments you never forget because it was from the heart.

R.L.

An inspiration

I didn't know who Sue Bird was until I watched the 2000 NCAA finals when I was a senior in high school in California. I've been a huge UConn fan ever since.

She reminds me of Mike Bibby and John Stockton, with her vision on the court. Her ability to draw the defense, and explode off the dribble is amazing. If I ever got the chance to play her one-on-one, I might come close to winning, but I would gain a lot of knowledge and valuable insight from the entire learning experience, and of course her experiences with the game. She's inspired me to succeed in life through, hardwork, determination, and a good work ethic, but also to start playing basketball again.