Hi, I’m Mechelle Voepel. In 1984, I covered my first women’s basketball game at the University of Missouri. I’ve been writing about the sport ever since.
I live in Overland Park, Kan., and have covered women’s college and pro basketball for ESPN.com since 1996. During that time, I’ve made numerous “Twilight Zone” analogies and has even slipped in some ridiculous references to “The Patty Duke Show.” Just expect such things to continue here in this blog.
I’m on Facebook and Twitter (MechelleV), plus there’s always good old e-mail: mvoepel123@yahoo.com. Thanks for checking out the blog and being a supporter of women’s sports.
Re: your article on ESPN, ‘A Bright Person, A Very Foolish Thing’, Diana Taurasi’s conduct should not be condoned. Yet I find some kind of horrible double standard going on here in sports.
Recently, Donte Stallworth served less than a 30 day sentence for manslaughter in the DUI death of an innocent citizen..this after Michael Vick was jailed for 2 years for dog-fighting. Dog-fighting, are you serious?? I’m a dog lover, but 2 years for THAT, and Stallworth gets less than 30 days for KILLING A PERSON???
Someone please explain the disparity of punishment here…and now Taurasi is suspended 2 games and might not play in the WNBA All Star game…I’d say that’s the least of her worries… (how dare she drink and drive, she’s an example for young women everywhere..). We’ve been saying the same things about men who play in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and yet somehow, the punishments never quite fit the crime. When the leagues all decide that any misconduct will be punished, and appropriately, we might finally see the end of the athlete who drinks and drives..don’t they make enough money to call a damn cab??
Re: “A Bright Person, A Very Foolish Mistake”
As a Connecticut resident (but not a UCONN fan), I appreciate your candor in speaking about Diana Taurasi’s DUI. I found the article to be very unbiased while presenting the facts and opinions in a thorough and tasteful manner. My interest, though, is in the other image that Taurasi presents – not that of a WNBA figurehead but that of a role model.
Speaking from a general point of view, how much credit can be given to Taurasi being a role model? Understandably, any professional athlete will garner a child’s attention inspiring hopes and dreams of emulating that athlete. Yet, what standard are we setting when that athlete has admitted to having never read a book cover-to-cover in high school or college excluding one book discussing basketball strategy? (Taurasi admitted to this during a senior year interview) I myself am not a parent, but I do find the current trend disturbing. Is the governing factor on an individual’s potential hopes and aspirations determined how well they can dribble a basketball or how far they can throw a football? You were correct in noting that the WNBA now has their first major illegality scandal. I just hope they take the proper course of action, not because Taurasi deserves it (though her culpability begets a severe punishment), but because the role models that young children seek to emulate should stand for more than 3-pointers, touchdowns, and slam dunks. Being well versed in education is arguably a better standard which should be placed in front of malleable minds. Make the athletic endeavors become a “plus factor” to the education kids get.
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Jeanie –
While I personally believe Dante Stallworth should have served more than 30 days in jail for his homicide charge, the difference between his case and Michael Vick’s is the plea. Stallworth accepted his actions and pled guilty to the charges whereas Vick, if memory serves me correctly, pled not guilty. The difference in sentencing based on a plea can be dramatic. Again, I think Stallworth’s sentence should have been longer, but that is the underlying reason for the disparity in jail time.
I seem to recall a Detroit Shock player being suspended six games for a DUI. Why does Taurasi only get two games for extreme DUI?
Note from MV: It was Kara Braxton’s second alcohol-related driving offense, so she got six games. It was the first offense for Diana Taurasi.
Great article on Lisa. She has always been one of my favorite players. I met her once in the Dallas airport.
She was so nice and friendly. I told her I played for the All American Redheads in the 1960’s. She remembered the Womens Basketball Hall of Fame exhibit and was very interested. I appreciated that.
You do great work for womens basketball and it is much appreciated by all.
Thank you
Thanks for your recent piece on Taurasi, and the Playoffs. Once again, you’ve shown why you’re considered one of the premier writers in women’s basketball. It looks like DT will be around the game for many years to come. Coming to grips, with one’s flaws, shows strong will, and determination. Qualities, perhaps, found in a future coach.