Pirate Galaxy » everything is in our hands.Central defende

NEW YORK -- Renee Brown has been at the WNBA since its inception. Twenty years after joining the league, the WNBAs chief of basketball operations and player relations is stepping down this month.Its probably one of the most difficult decisions I made in my life, Brown told The Associated Press in a phone interview Monday. I love the WNBA, and was fortunate 20 years ago that Val (Ackerman), David (Stern), Russ (Granik) and Adam (Silver) allowed me to come in at the start of this league. Walking away, its sad but yet joyful at the same time.Brown is one of a handful of people still involved in the league since its beginning in 1997.Twenty years in, people didnt think wed be here, Brown said. I knew we would be. Its been fun watching the talent grow. I think the WNBA has been in great shape from the minute we came here. A lot to do with what the NBA gives the WNBA. From the beginning, I was very confident once the NBA allowed us to put the W in front of its name, wed be well taken care of.In her current role and through her work with the WNBAs competition committee, Brown has directly influenced how the game is played. This past season, teams set records for points per game, field goals made and attempted, field goal percentage, free throws made, free throw percentage and assists.Brown has also been involved with USA Basketball since 1996. She has served on its board of directors and chaired the selection committee of the senior national team.Renee has selflessly served USA Basketball as a coach, committee member and passionate supporter, said Carol Callan, director of womens basketball for USA Basketball. She first served as an assistant coach during the historic 1995-96 USA national team yearlong preparation for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta.The U.S. hasnt lost in the Olympics since Brown got involved, winning six consecutive gold medals.Any time I put on a USA T-shirt or a sweatshirt, I put it on with so much pride recognizing were all representing our country, she said.Brown said she let WNBA President Lisa Borders know of her decision at the start of this season.Renees contributions to the WNBAs growth have been immeasurable, Borders said. It has been a pleasure working alongside her during this landmark season and I will continue to rely on her expertise. She will always be part of the WNBA family.Brown said she will continue to be involved in basketball, joining the Jr. NBA Leadership Council. The Nevada native plans to stay in New York for now.My goal is to stay in New York and look for other opportunities involved in the game, sports or women empowerment, Brown said. Take the skills Ive learned here and use them somewhere else. Its an exciting time for me. I thought Id be here three to four years. Twenty years later, Im here and its been great. Im looking forward to my next journey. Custom Football Jerseys Store . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. Custom Minnesota Vikings Jerseys . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. http://www.footballcustomjerseys.com/custom-green-bay-packers-jerseys-168c.html . Toronto has dropped games to Indiana and Miami since a five-game winning streak and closed out a three-game road trip at 1-2. Custom Football Jerseys Sale . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Custom Detroit Lions Jerseys . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries.Celtic boss Ronny Deila says Sundays Scottish Cup semi-final against Rangers will be special but insists booking a return to Hampden next month is the only thing on his mind. Celtic face Rangers at the national stadium - live on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am - for the right to play the winner of the other semi-final between Dundee United and Hibernian on Saturday, May 21.Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the Norwegian said: It is very important. Its another game closer to getting a trophy. We have played two semi-finals and lost two so we want to get back to the final and get a new trophy. Celtic, eight points clear at the top of the Premiership, are closing in on their fifth successive title and Deila would love to win the one major trophy which has eluded him during his time at Celtic Park.Two trophies are of course much better than one. We have put ourselves in a good position in the league, but this is just one game. It will be tight but we are really looking forward to it. Celtics Leigh Griffiths scores against Rangers last year Asked if the experience of beating Rangers in the Scottish League Cup last year will benefit his side come Sunday, Deila said: Well see on Sunday. Its not just me who has the experience. There are lots of players here as well who know about the derbies and that is always a positive thing.Rangers manager Mark Warburton is reported to have labelled the match just another game of football in the build-up, but Deila disagrees.You cant say that. It is a game of football but this is special. Its a big game and something we really look forward to, he added. Leigh Griffiths explains why this weekends Glasgow derby against Rangers is so big Theres always pressure on these games.dddddddddddd It is a semi-final, one game, and we have seen before that things can happen in these games.We need to be very concentrated and we know we have a very good team when we are at our best so everything is in our hands.Central defender Erik Sviatchenko suffered an injury in the recent 0-0 draw at Dundee and Deila is refusing to rule the Dane out of the weekend game. Dedryck Boyata (left) should be fine to face Rangers at Hampden on Sunday He has a good chance, but we will see. Its too early for Erik now. Its a grade one pulled muscle... so well see.Dedryck Boyata missed training this morning, but hell be fine. Its just a small thing. Everyone knows whats coming up and theyre just ensuring they are ready for Sunday.Watch the Glasgow derby on Sky Sports 2 HD from 11am this Sunday.By purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Strong Celtic impress Kennedy County first up for Celtic Celtic stats Bet ￡5 get ￡20 free ' ' '