Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

WNBA coach to speak at Chamber Banquet

Ready for even more basketball?

Candi Harvey, coach of the San Antonio Silver Spurs of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), and former Prescott resident, will be the featured speaker at the annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce Banquet, Tuesday, March 25.

Harvey joined the Utah franchise of the Women's National Basketball Association in 1999 as an assistant to Coach Fred Williams. She took the team over after Williams resigned.

Under Harvey, the Starzz finished with the team's best record in its history  19-13, with the squad going to the playoffs for the first time.

Season two also went well for Harvey and the Starzz, as the team earned a trip to the Western Conference finals, after posting 22 wins during the regular season.

Harvey's coaching career started while she was a graduate assistant at Arkansas State University.

After a year in this position, she became the head coach at Robert E. Lee High School in Tyler, Texas. She led the team to its first winning season ever and a trip to the state tournament.

Following her stint as a high school coach, Harvey became an assistant coach at Stephen F. Austin University, where she was from 1984-1990. In this time, she helped the Lady Jacks to four NCAA tournament appearances.

In 1990, Harvey became the head coach at Tulane University, where she stayed until 1994.

Harvey returned to Texas in 94, taking over the head coaching position of the Lady Aggies at Texas A&M. Her success here catapulted her into the professional coaching ranks.

Her first coaching job in the pros, was with the Nashville Noise of the American Basketball League. When this league folded, Harvey was contacted by Williams to come and be an assistant coach with the Utah Starzz.

Harvey was born in Prescott, and attended Prescott High School. She graduated from Ouachita Baptist University in 1979, then pursued her masters at ASU.

Mary Godwin, executive director of the Chamber, said the theme of this year's banquet is "Celebrating the Good Life".

With this in mind, using the Mardi Gras theme, the cafeteria at McRae Middle School will be decorated in the traditional purple, green and gold of the Mardi Gras.

The menu has not been set, though the meal will be prepared by the MMS cafeteria staff.

The banquet will again open with the auction. Chad Cornelius will be handling duties as the auctioneer. Money raised from the auction will be used to fund Chamber events for the rest of the year.

Chamber President Michael Jimmerson will act as the master of ceremonies for the event.

Those who attend the banquet will be in for a special treat, and a big surprise. Details of the "added entertainment" event are not being released, and won't be to keep everyone in suspense.

Otherwise, the banquet will follow its traditional agenda, with the auction, meal, entertainment and awards.

The awards will be the Past President Award, Nevada County Farm Family of the Year, Citizen of the Year, Business Leadership Award, Teachers of the Year and Treasure of Gold Award. For the second year, Jessie Ward will present the Student of the Year Award. She started this award during her reign as Miss Arkansas last year.

Tickets for the banquet will be $15 each and are available at the Chamber.

Godwin said with the limited seating, it's best for those planning to attend to get their tickets early.