From Basketball to Benevolence: Hall-of-Famer and Philanthropist Nancy Lieberman Recognized with Our VIP Award
By Karyn Brodsky | Staff Writer
What does a remarkable individual accomplish after becoming a two-time Olympian, three-time All American, two-time national collegiate champion, and a two-time National Player of the Year at Old Dominion University? Add to that a successful career in professional basketball, serving as head coach and general manager in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), being inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, working as a sportscaster, and writing books.
Her greatest desire? To contribute positively to the community.
Nancy Lieberman has earned our VIP award due to her impactful work beyond the court. A dynamic individual who began excelling in sports at a tender age of 7 and traveled alone to Harlem at 11 in search of the best players, Nancy stands as a staunch advocate for children and those in need.
Through her philanthropic organization, the Nancy Lieberman Foundation, she offers free basketball clinics and camps to underprivileged youth, personally leading each session. Celebrating 35 years in 2015, these camps utilize basketball as a means to impart critical life lessons such as the importance of education, healthy living, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, making constructive choices to fulfill ambitions, and fostering self-esteem (nancyliebermanfoundation.com). The foundation collaborates with Worldventures Foundation to construct dream courts nationwide, providing children with safe spaces for play and self-improvement.
Her commitment to guide children and uplift the underprivileged stems from her own challenging upbringing in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. “I was that kid,” Nancy recalls. “Growing up, my pencil holder was a brown lunch sack, and my backpack was a brown paper bag. I felt ashamed and understand what these children endure.” Her foundation distributes backpacks for this very reason and equips kids with computers to support their educational journeys. Nancy remembers the goodwill of others during her high school years when her principal raised funds from neighbors to finance her flight for the USA Team Olympic tryouts in Albuquerque.
“My life’s journey has been a natural progression,” Lieberman reflects. “The first half was about learning, followed by earning, and now it’s about returning.”
Above all her accolades, Nancy Lieberman treasures her role as a mother. She proudly watches her son T.J. Cline, a sophomore majoring in marketing at the University of Richmond and starting center for the Spiders basketball team, work towards his goals. “He’s crafting his own path,” says Lieberman beaming with pride. “He earned his scholarship and starting position through hard work and determination.”
Nancy and her ex-husband Tim Cline instill charitable values in T.J. together. “T.J. is an exceptional young man,” she shares. “He understands that despite our busy lives, we make time for him.” She emphasizes the importance of parental support for a child’s success, asserting, “Communication is the cornerstone of life, love, family, and business. It’s how you handle adversity that counts. T.J. sees that, and I admire him for it.”
According to T.J., his maturity is attributed to his experiences at Nancy’s basketball camps. “It showed me how to approach business and the importance of staying focused since I knew everyone was observing me,” he explains.
Addressing the impact of her divorce on T.J., Lieberman acknowledges the unavoidable effects on children but emphasizes the necessity of conducting oneself with respect and class post-separation. “What matters is showing kindness and dignity towards your former partner. Tim and I maintain a cordial relationship for T.J.’s sake,” she states. “I genuinely appreciate Tim for his values. Our amicable dynamic provides a great example for T.J.”
From the moment he was born, T.J. has been immersed in basketball culture—he was born just two days before Nancy was to accept an award in Chicago in July 1994. “I promised I would be there. We all traveled to Chicago, and I brought T.J. on stage to receive the award. It was a brief visit, but it was special.”
T.J. cherishes the unique experiences that come with being the son of a basketball icon. “It’s a dream come true,” he admits. “I’ve had amazing opportunities, met incredible people, and traveled to extraordinary places. But at the core, it’s about being able to relax and have meaningful conversations with her as my mom.”
For her unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of children and supporting those in need, alongside serving as an exemplary athlete, philanthropist, and parent, Rodrigosaffiliates Magazine proudly honors Nancy Lieberman with this month’s VIP award.
Editor’s Note: For summer camp details and registration, please visit nancyliebermanfoundation.com
Nancy Lieberman also made history by becoming the first woman to serve as head coach in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Dallas Mavericks’ D-League team, the Texas Legends, leading them to playoffs in their inaugural season.
In 1975, Lieberman earned one of twelve prestigious positions on the USA Women’s National Basketball Team, marking her ascent into national fame. The following year, she secured a silver medal at the World Championships in South America and a gold medal at the Pan American Games in Mexico. At just 18 years old, she claimed silver at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, becoming the youngest basketball player to achieve that status in Olympic history.
NANCY LIEBERMAN FOUNDATION
by Melissa Chaiken | Section Editor
Now celebrating its 35th anniversary, the Nancy Lieberman Foundation is a versatile organization that conducts basketball camps, helps construct basketball courts, provides camp and educational scholarships, and supplies students with essential school supplies and laptops.
Every year, the Foundation presents educational scholarships to student-athletes excelling both in academics and athletics. The initiative Backpacks & Laptops For Love is another way the Foundation promotes academic achievement and perseverance.
The Nancy Lieberman Foundation will host its 2015 Dream Ball Gala fundraiser on April 16 at the Omni Hotel, with proceeds supporting their mission to create environments that foster physical, emotional, and mental health for young boys and girls, empowering them to build self-confidence and make informed choices.
For further details about the Dream Ball Gala, visit www.nancyliebermanfoundation.com or check the Calendar of Events section in this issue of Rodrigosaffiliates Magazine.
Interested in learning more about the VIP Award? Know someone who deserves nomination? Click here for more information!
