USC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME

Inductees don’t emphasize the ball

COACHES OFTEN ARE remindful of the value of keeping one’s eyes on the ball, which translates into good advice — most of the time.

Yet, emphasis on the ball can become too ingrained, and some magic moments in sports — the screen that sets up the winning basket, the block that springs the runner for a touchdown — can be missed.

Focusing on the ball can lead to overlooking marvelous athletes, too, a fact that will be on display tonight at the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Three of the honorees did not compete in the so-called “ball” sports, and one, track and field star Lisa Misipeka, ranks among Carolina’s most decorated performers.

Her credentials are extraordinary. She won the school’s first international track and field medal, made three Olympic teams, captured two NCAA championships, set Southeastern Conference and collegiate records and earned All-America honors 11 times.

“What I loved so much about her, she was a fierce, fierce competitor,” says Dawn Ellerbe, a teammate, training partner, opponent and friend. “She would come out like gangbusters and leave everything on the field.”

‘An awesome run.’ Ellerbe, Crystal Brownlee and Misipeka gave the Gamecocks a powerful presence in the women’s weight events. They dominated most collegiate competition, and their practice sessions took on the flavor of high-level championships.

Ellerbe set the standards and received a spot in the USC athletic hall two years ago. Misipeka topped some of those records and joins Kip Bouknight (baseball), Clint Mathis (soccer), Wade King (swimming) and Charlotte Hamilton Giese (swimming) in the spotlight tonight.

Misipeka grew up in Riverside, Calif., the daughter of a Samoan father and German mother, and she represented American Samoa in three Olympics.

“I’m all done as a competitor,” Misipeka says now. “I blew my knee out three weeks before Athens (2004 Olympics), but I had an awesome run.”

Yes, she did, and no moment in her athletic career was more special than winning the bronze medal in the hammer in the 1999 World Championships.

“In Seville, Spain,” USC track coach Curtis Frye says. “She had a big throw and a great series. All of a sudden, it was Lisa against the Eastern Bloc.

“She didn’t panic with all the pressure from big international throwers from Russia and all those countries.”

Frye also remembers the SEC championship at Auburn in which Misipeka beat Ellerbe for the title.

“Dawn was always answering challenges, and she didn’t get a good throw off that time,” he says. “But Lisa thought Dawn had won and was excited about the team’s points.

“She really didn’t know she had won. She always pulled harder for her teammates than for herself.”

Basketball was her game. Misipeka came to South Carolina from California, thanks to the persistent recruiting efforts of then-throws coach Larry Judge.

“Basketball was my game,” Misipeka says. “I enjoyed track, but basketball was my main thing. (Judge) told me about Dawn (who had come to USC a year earlier) and told me if I wanted to go to the Olympics, I had a better chance in track.”

West Point lost a basketball player, and the Gamecocks gained one of the school’s most accomplished athletes.

“I took over for Larry Judge before her senior year,” Mike Sergent, USC’s current throws coach, says. “I had a meeting with her and Brad Snyder, and I will never forget how she welcomed me.

“She was terrific. She didn’t miss a beat, and I felt we were a team from the get-go.”

Ellerbe and Misipeka became fast friends and always left their competition on the field.

“She is so deserving (of induction),” Ellerbe said. “I’m very proud.”

Misipeka lives near San Diego with her husband and son, still roots for the Gamecocks and operates a business named HYPE — How You Perceive Excellence — a wellness program for student-athletes.

“I draw on my experience as far as health, conditioning and transition to college,” she said.

The company title fits — she knows all about excellence.

2007 USC Athletic Hall of Fame inductees

KIP BOUKNIGHT

Baseball, 1998-2001

Winningest pitcher in USC history with 45-12 record. All-American and national player of year with 17-1 record in 2000. School records include strikeouts (457) and innings pitched (482).

CHARLOTTE HAMILTON GIESE

Swimming, 1977-80

USC’s first women’s swimming and diving All-American, earning honors in 50 and 100 freestyle in 1977. Earned 16 All-American awards in career.

WADE KING

Swimming, 1986-89

12-time All-American. In 19 events, he held school records in seven at graduation. Currently holds American record for 35-39 age group in two butterfly events.

CLINT MATHIS

Soccer, 1994-97

USC’s first two-time All-American in soccer (1995, ’97). Holds school records for single- season points (53) and goals (25). Three-time finalist for national player of the year.

LISA MISIPEKA

Track and field, 1994-98

Three-time Olympian. Won bronze medal in hammer in 1999 world championships. Won two NCAA and three SEC championships and earned 11 All-American honors.