Nancy Lieberman

Nancy Lieberman Speaker Biography

Nancy "Lady Magic" Lieberman is a true pioneer in women's sports. Her extensive resume includes WNBA player, coach, general manager, broadcaster for ABC, NBC, and ESPN, motivational speaker, author and the first female coach of a men's team under the NBA umbrella. Lieberman was also the first woman to play in a men's professional league. Currently, she serves as the assistant general manager for the Texas Legends, NBA Development League team and official minor league affiliate of the Dallas Mavericks.

Nancy Lieberman is a Basketball Hall of Famer, two-time Olympian, three-time All American, two-time collegiate national champion and a two-time National Player of the Year at Old Dominion University.

Rising through the rank of professional sports, Lieberman made significant contributions to basketball. Her distinguished career is one of monumental strength and motivation. In pursuit of becoming the greatest women's basketball player, she refused to accept anything less than the best. Her devotion to the sport and passion for the advancement of women athletes are a source of inspiration.

THE ATHLETE

Nancy Lieberman's basketball journey began on the asphalt courts of Harlem, which was no small departure from her native hometown of Queens, New York. Lieberman quickly developed a reputation as a tough and gritty basketball powerhouse, as a 15-year-old junior attending Far Rockaway High School. In 1975, she garnered one of 12 coveted spots on the USA's Women's National Basketball Team, catapulting her into the national spotlight. A year later, she brought home a silver medal at the World Championships (in South America) and a gold medal at the Pan American Games (in Mexico). At 18 years old, she earned a silver medal at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal and became the youngest basketball player in Olympic history (male or female).

Lieberman exploded onto the college scene, attending Old Dominion University on a full athletic scholarship. She led the Lady Monarchs to two consecutive National Championships and a WNIT Championship. Lieberman became the first-ever, two-time winner of the prestigious Wade Trophy, which recognizes the "Player of the Year" in women's college basketball. She was also selected as the Broderick Award Winner for Basketball, as the top women's player in America. In addition, she received three consecutive Kodak All-American honors during her collegiate career, making her one of the most decorated female athletes in the United States.

In 1981, Lieberman began her professional career with the Dallas Diamonds of the Women's Professional Basketball League. She led the team, in 1984, to the WABA Championship and was named league MVP.

Lieberman is recognized as the only woman to play in a men's professional sports league. In 1986, she played with the Springfield Fame (United States Basketball League, USBL), and in 1987, she joined the Long Island Knights (USBL).

In 1988, Lieberman toured the world as a member of the Washington Generals, the most well-known and recognized opponents of the acclaimed Harlem Globetrotters.

In 1997 -at the age of 39- Lieberman came out of retirement and was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury during the inaugural season of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She became the oldest player to ever play in the league. On July 24, 2008, Lieberman broke her record, when she returned to the WNBA for one game with the Detroit Shock at the age of 50.

During her professional career, "Lady Magic" received several awards including an induction into the prestigious Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996. In 1999, she was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Also, Lieberman was the first woman to be inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, as well as the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and the Hampton Roads Hall of Fame.

THE COACH & LEADER

After retiring as a player in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBA), Nancy Lieberman was named general manager and head coach of the WNBA's Detroit Shock in 1998. She helped the team to the highest winning percentage of any expansion team in professional sports and was runner-up for Coach of the Year.

Lieberman took on another leadership role when she served as president of the Women's Sports Foundation for two years. Later, she served as head coach of the Dallas Fury of the NWBL, where she guided the team to a championship title.

On November 5, 2009, Basketball Hall of Famer, Nancy Lieberman added a new piece of history to her already illustrious career. She was appointed as the first female head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA), taking the leadership role as head coach for the Dallas Mavericks' NBA D-League Team, Texas Legends. She led the team to the playoffs in their first season as an expansion team.

THE PUBLIC FIGURE

Nancy Lieberman's career progressed into national commentating, motivational speaking and philanthropic endeavors.

She served as an analyst for ESPN/ABC for the NBA, WNBA and NCAA Women's Basketball. She has provided commentary for NBA-TV, NBC, and the NFL Network.

Lieberman has been a contributor to the Dallas Morning News, The New York Times and USA Today. She is also an accomplished author, having penned an autobiography entitled "Lady Magic," two editions of "Basketball for Women" and most recently, the "Playbook for Success." In her latest book, she brings her leadership and coaching insights into the boardroom to help teach the many parallels between being successful on the court and in business.

In addition, Lieberman has created several instructional and advice-driven videos for aspiring basketball players.

Throughout her career, Lieberman's progress as a successful athlete and leader was based on her boldness and ability to take positive action. She is an influential communicator and has a passion for educating athletes and business leaders to improve efficiency and attain peak performance. Lieberman's in-depth industry experience is unparalleled, and it is for that reason that she was recognized as a prolific motivational speaker for Fortune 500 companies.

Today, Lieberman travels around the country speaking to private and public corporations, non-profit organizations, and basketball camps. Her speaking engagements cover a myriad of topics such as business and sports, image and self-esteem, teamwork and winning and working and parenting.

During her career, Lieberman achieved monumental success, and her legacy has forever impacted the sport. It is only fitting that awards are given in her honor, such as the Nancy Lieberman Award. It is given to the most outstanding female point guard in NCAA Division I Basketball, and it has adorned the likes of Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Temeka Johnson, Ivory Latta, and Lindsey Harding.

THE PHILANTHROPIST

Guiding youngsters and helping the disadvantaged has always been a passion for Lieberman, and through this philosophy, The Nancy Lieberman Foundation was born. During the summer, she hosts and coaches basketball clinics and camps for girls and boys in Dallas, Detroit, and Phoenix. She hopes that-through positive guidance and helpful instruction-she can propel the next generation of student-athletes to success on and off the court.

The Nancy Lieberman Foundation and Manifest have also teamed up to build DreamCourts across the country to provide a safe place for children to play.

In addition to her impressive foundation work, Lieberman has supported and participated in numerous national charities throughout the country. She remains determined to give back more than she has received. To book sports speaker Nancy Lieberman call Executive Speakers Bureau 901-754-9404.