Throwback Thursday: Georgia Tech’s Shea Matlock

Mar 18, 2012; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets mascot performs during a timeout against Sacred Heart Pioneers during the second half in the first round of the 2012 NCAA women

New Jersey resident and girls’ basketball legend Shea Matlock played for Georgia Tech’s women’s basketball program from 1994-1998 after transferring from a nationally ranked University of Connecticut team.  I had the opportunity to sit down with Shea and chat with her about her experience playing for Georgia Tech.

Q:  Why did you decide to transfer from UCONN to Georgia Tech?

A: I wanted warmer weather and to be closer to my father who was living in Birmingham, Alabama. I also was drawn to the fact that Georgia Tech was a strong academic school in a big city, not to mention the fact that the ACC was a strong conference.

Q: What was it like to be an athlete at Georgia Tech? What was the atmosphere like?

A: It was an honor being an athlete at Georgia Tech. We had the best facilities- dorm and dining rooms, weight room, locker room etc.  We also had fantastic tutors to help us when we missed classes or needed extra help because of away games. Athletes were definitely treated very special.

Q: Who was the team’s biggest rival during your time there?

A: Virginia, UNC, and Duke. The conference was really very strong during that time.

Q: What is your fondest memory of your time as an athlete at GT?

A: We traveled as a team to France and Switzerland to play for two weeks one summer. We had a blast. I will never forget that.

Q:  What was the highlight of your playing career at GT?

A: I won a game for us against NC State on the free throw line. That was cool because my team was so proud of me.

Q: What was your experience like playing at GT as opposed to UCONN?

A: Both were amazing programs, but the big difference for me was playing for a female coach at GT.  Both programs treated athletes fantastic, had intense practices, and hard workouts. I think most division 1 programs expect the same out of their athletes and treat them very similarly–at least these two programs did. A big difference though, was fan support. At UCONN we sold out games with 9,000 people. That definitely pumps you up to play. At GT there wasn’t that following probably because so much goes on in a big city. It was an honor to have gone to both schools!

Who would you like to see featured in future Throwback Thursday columns? Give us your suggestions.