Fanning Making A Difference On And Off The Court
"Someone once said that 'people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care'," Fanning said. "You're a part of a family when you're on this team. This entire staff is here for these girls - to teach and help them grow, and sometimes just to listen. They know what we expect. We have to be there for each other and make those around us better. We help our girls achieve their academic, athletic and personal goals. Our program goals are understood across the board. When you're going through college, you go through tough times. We try to help our team deal with them. We take the negatives and turn them into positives. We teach, coach and train them in the way they should go in life."
For Fanning, leaving an impression on the lives of her former athletes is evident considering most have gone on to become successful in life. Ann Sanders Carr is now the assistant athletic director for student life at MSU, while LaCharlotte Smith is living in Texas working with a residence facility for children and playing semi-professional basketball with the Houston Jaguars. LaToya Thomas, MSU's four-time Kodak all-American, was the No. 1 pick in the 2003 WNBA draft and currently plays for the San Antonio Silver Stars. For Fanning, the role is often reversed. She finds she has learned from those who have worn the Maroon and White.
"There have been numerous players who have touched me," she said. "I've learned something through every player I¹ve worked with. I have to give a 'thank you' to the first team I coached here. The community and university embraced us to help us improve. We had some tremendous leaders in that first signing class. That group upset some ranked teams and paved the way for players like (Jennifer) Fambrough and (LaToya) Thomas. One thing I do remember is (Elizabeth) Wamsley, (Nitra) Perry, and (Barbara) Thomas (Yeates) telling me that they would play in the SEC Championship game before they left here. They were seniors in 2000, when we played against Tennessee in the title game."
Former State standout Sharon Thompson was not recruited by Fanning to come to MSU. In fact, Fanning arrived in Starkville for Thompson's sophomore season. In their three years together, Thompson learned lessons that she uses today.
"As a coach, I love her," said Thompson, now an assistant women's basketball coach at East Mississippi Community College. "It was an honor to play for her. She is committed and dedicated to women's basketball. I can't begin to speak on how much she loves the program at MSU. She is a great asset to Mississippi State and women's basketball. She's helped me to be a better person. She taught us that it's about how you carry yourself off the court. As a coach now, I try to instill in my players one thing that she taught us and that was to show respect because you never know who's watching. What she has accomplished there in 10 years is phenomenal. If she doesn't get her 500th win this year, I hope it happens at home next year so I can be a part of it. She's such a deserving person of the accolades and accomplishments."
While the impression Fanning leaves on her players is well-noted, she obviously leaves an impression on her staff as well.
"Coach Fanning has the values I want my family to grow up around," said current MSU assistant coach Steve Curtis. "It's great to watch someone so deserving close in on 500 victories as a Division I head coach."
In her 29 years of coaching, Fanning has tutored 10 all-Americans, 11 First Team all-SEC selections, seven Second Team all-SEC selections, 46 Academic all-SEC players and six professional draft picks. As head coach at her alma mater, UT-Chattanooga, from 1976-87, the Moccasins won the SoCon title five consecutive years (1982-86) and finished runner-up at the 1984 WNIT. Her squads also won two AIAW state championships. Her first head coaching position in the SEC was at Kentucky from 1987-95. Under Fanning, the Wildcats were ranked in the top 25 three seasons, went to the NCAA Tournament in 1991 and won the WNIT in 1990.
Under the tutelage of Fanning, the MSU program made its first postseason appearance in the NCAA Tournament during the 1998-99 season. Since then, the Lady Bulldogs have appeared in "The Big Dance" three times and the WNIT twice. Behind two top 25 rankings during the 2000 and 2002 seasons, the 2002-03 Lady Bulldog squad was ranked as high as 10th in the country.
There have been so many firsts in MSU women's basketball history that one may find it hard to single out just a few accomplishments to highlight. However, Fanning has taken the program to new heights. As the winningest women's basketball coach in school history, Fanning's squads have produced five winning seasons, six postseason appearances and two 20-win seasons. Prior to her arrival, MSU had won just 16 SEC games. Since 1995, MSU has posted 59 conference wins. Fanning won her 450th career game on Jan. 12, 2003 in a thrilling 78-75 win over 14th-ranked Vanderbilt. As the 2004-05 season begins to wind down, Fanning is within seven wins of the 500-win milestone.
Mississippi State Associate Athletic Director for Women's Sports Samye Johnson noted that Fanning's accomplishments have resulted in great steps for the MSU program and how proud the university is to have her as a member of the MSU athletic family.
"Women's basketball, for the past nine years, has made tremendous strides under the leadership of Coach Fanning," said Johnson. "With four NCAA postseason appearances and two WNIT appearances, expectations for the program are greater than ever. Coach Fanning is a wonderful ambassador for the game and we are just proud that she is ours.'"
Another reason Fanning finds herself at peace with her current location is the community in which she lives in.
"The people of Starkville are great," she said. "It all starts with the people. It's such a warm community that loves this university. It¹s a great place to raise a family and work. There are lots of community things to do here. I've seen Starkville change in the last week! I commend the groups who are working on making Mississippi State and Starkville look more aesthetically pleasing."
Since Fanning's arrival in Starkville in 1995, the university has changed visibly. In her tenure here, the Joe "Frank" Sanderson Center and Bryan Athletic Administration Building have been erected. Construction is underway on a new dormitory, and there have been several renovations to the athletic and academic buildings.
Despite the constant changes surrounding her, the only thing that seems to have changed, according to Fanning, is her hair.
"I have more gray hair now as compared to 10 years ago," Fanning noted. "My hairstyle changes every time I go see (my stylist) Beverly. I hope to continue to grow. God gave me a chance to come here. I pray like it's up to God, and work like it's up to me.' I surround myself with good people that results in a good program. It's a blessing to be a part of the Mississippi State family."