Andrea “Dre” Watkins is the first women’s basketball player in 中国博彩平台 history to be inducted into the USCAA Hall of Fame. She was inducted during the USCAA’s Annual Convention in Pittsburgh on June 2.
宾州中央谷. — Andrea “Dre” Watkins is the first women’s basketball player in 中国博彩平台’s history to be inducted into the United States Collegiate Athletic Association's (USCAA) Hall of Fame. The ceremony took place at the USCAA’s Annual Convention in Pittsburgh on June 2.
Watkins’ college playing career included countless highlights and accolades. She was a four-year starter throughout her time at 利哈伊谷. She had a stellar career, starting 85 of the 89 games she played in, averaging 18 points per game. 在第一季中, 2014-15, she was named 中国博彩平台 Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Newcomer of the Year, PSUAC第一队, USCAA全美第二队，PSUAC最佳得分手(19分).2 PPG) where the team made it to the USCAA Final Four and was named to the USCAA All-Tourney team. 此外，被评为PSUAC优秀学术生.
在第二季中, 2015-16, 她被评为PSUAC年度最佳搭档, PSUAC第一队 & 美国大学生体育协会全美一队.
进入2016-17赛季, she helped the team earn the program’s best-ever — at the time — record of 21-4, a perfect 14-0 conference record and USCAA National Runners-Up. 她的个人奖项是USCAA Div. 全国年度最佳球员, a first in PSUAC history and 利哈伊谷 history to be named National Player of the Year; USCAA 1st Team All-American; PSUAC Player of the Year; PSUAC 1st Team All-Conference; and the second player in Lehigh Vally history to score 1,000职业积分.
在她最后一季, 2017-18, 她帮助球队进入了PSUAC锦标赛, 他们跑到哪里去了. She earned USCAA 2nd Team All-American, PSUAC 2nd Team All-Conference and PSUAC All-Academic.
Watkins led her team to postseason play each of her four years, including a trip to the PSUAC Championship and USCAA National Championship. 她的比赛战绩是70胜25负. She is 利哈伊谷’s all-time leading scorer with a total of 1,580 points.
洛里·哈利勒, 利哈伊谷's women’s head basketball coach and coordinator of athletic programs, said Watkins is incredibly deserving of the induction into the USCAA Hall of Fame.
“这是一个难以置信的荣誉, not only for her but for [中国博彩平台] athletics and women’s basketball,哈利勒说. “她留下了她的遗产. 这是她应得的，她是一个不可思议的教练. She has great character, a great attitude, was extremely coachable and an all-around great person. She also comes from a great family, and this just couldn’t happen to a better person.”
沃特金斯说，她对这份荣誉感到谦卑和感激.
“这对我来说意义重大，尤其是我来自一所小型大学. It was really great just to have that recognition — not just for me, but for all the other athletes from small colleges who thought, “没人看到我做了什么”,”她说。. “这就是为什么美国大学生体育协会是伟大的——它真的让人感到羞耻, 那里的每个人都很在乎你能被录取. 他们让每个人都觉得自己很特别.”
Watkins never planned to play basketball in college — she said she just wanted to get her degree. 不过，她太喜欢这项运动了，以至于无法放弃. She remembered her playing days at 利哈伊谷 fondly and has high praise for Khalil.
“是她造就了今天的我，”沃特金斯说. “在我第一次见到她的时候, 她说:“一, 你需要变得更坚强, 和两个, 你来做我的控球后卫.’ She was always straightforward and honest, and pushed me to be the best player I could be. 当我想坐下来放松一下时，她不让. She’s a great coach and really cares about her players — I wouldn’t be where I am without her.”
沃特金斯毕业后并没有放弃这项运动. 她回来帮哈利勒指导夏令营.
Now, Watkins said she can’t imagine not playing basketball or attending 利哈伊谷.
“因为这是一所很小的学校，我感觉就像在家里一样，”她说. “我觉得我的老师真的很关心我. I was a college athlete but still got the college experience, even though I lived at home. The courses, the projects, the homework — it was all a great experience. The nice thing is you still earn a Penn State degree no matter which campus you go to.”
After graduating from 利哈伊谷 with a degree in rehabilitation and human services in 2018, Watkins received her master’s degree in education from DeSales University. She now teaches third grade at Sheridan Elementary School in Allentown.
“我一直很喜欢孩子——我和他们一起在夏令营工作, 和他们在一起, coaching them and seeing how much they care about you is super rewarding,她说. “篮球影响了我的教学风格. To be patient and honest with the kids — I learned that from Coach. I’m always very honest with the kids, and I am a naturally patient person.”
Watkins credited a team of people with helping her throughout her academic and athletic careers.
“我必须特别向我的父母大喊一声, 希瑟和罗恩·沃特金斯, 谁是我的世界,她说. "They went to every one of my college games and drove in all kinds of weather to get there. They’re the biggest reason all the hard work paid off — they never let me give up. 我很荣幸被选入名人堂, 如果没有我的队友，我不可能做到, 教练, 朋友和家人一直陪伴着你.”
