Card, Basketball
Object number2023.175.4
Manufacturer
Pinnacle Trading Card Company
Date1998
OriginUnited States of America
MediumPaper; Ink
Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection
DescriptionRectangular paper basketball collecting card in portrait orientation. Front depicts color photographic image of player in basketball uniform from the knees up and holding an orange and white basketball; background is light blue with dark blue viewer's right edge; maker name in viewer's top left corner, player information along bottom, and additional text along the viewer's right edge. Reverse has bust color photographic image of player in the viewer's top right corner; the rest of the back has player information with maker information at bottom center; background is light blue, light gray, and dark gray.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 3.5 x 2.5 x 0.031 in. (8.9 x 6.4 x 0.1 cm)InscriptionsFront has printed text along viewer's right edge "PPG / DNP / RPG / DNP / BPG / DNP / APG / DNP" and at bottom "SUZIE / McConnell-Serio / [WNBA logo] / GUARD".
Front has text on player's jersey "ROCKERS / 4" and on basketball "SPALDING / WNBA".
Reverse has text including "60 / SUZIE McConnell-Serio / OLYMPICS / Gold medal in '88 / OLYMPICS II: Bronze medal / in '92 / NCAA RECORD: / Most career assists / SCHOOL RECORD: / Most career steals / SCHOOL RECORD II: / Most points in a season / NAMED: / Atlantic 10 MVP as a freshman / GUARD / Cleveland / ROCKERS / ... COLLEGE / PENN STATE".
MarksFront has printed text in the viewer's top left corner "[logo] / PINNACLE".
Reverse has text at bottom center "©1998 WNBA Enterprises, LLC / ©1998 Pinnacle Trading Card Co. Product of U.S.A. / [WNBA logo] / [Pinnacle logo]".
Historical Notes1998 Pinnacle WNBA Suzie McConnell-Serio Cleveland Rockers basketball card. Her family name has become synonymous with basketball - playing it, coaching it, and winning while doing both. Raised in the city's Brookline neighborhood, Suzie McConnell had her first success with the game at Seton LaSalle High School. A volleyball, basketball, and softball player, she and her sister Kathy contributed to the school's PIAA state championship in basketball in 1984. After starring as a point guard at Seton LaSalle High School, she became an All-American at Penn State where she set NCAA career records for assists with 1,307, assists in a season (355 in 1987), and season assist average (11.8 in 1987). After college she represented the United States at the Seoul Olympics in 1988, bringing home a gold medal. She competed for the U.S. again in Barcelona, earning bronze in 1992. McConnell Serio began her coaching career at Oakland Catholic High School in 1991. In her 12 seasons she compiled a 321-86 record and captured three state championships, in 1993, 2001, and 2003. A master motivator, her teams were twice runner ups at states and won four Quad A WPIAL titles. McConnell Serio balanced her growing family, she and husband Pete Serio have four children, her coaching responsibilities, with a return to the hardwood when she joined the Cleveland Rockers in 1998. She took home WNBA Newcomer of the Year honors and was named to the All WNBA First Team that year. In 2003, McConnell Serio returned to coaching, taking over the head job with the Minnesota Lynx. She turned the team around, taking them to their first ever playoff appearance and was named WNBA Coach of the Year after the 2004 season. McConnell Serio left the WNBA and came home to Pittsburgh. She coached first at Duquesne University, where she went to the WNIT five straight years, then for five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh which made it to the second round of the NCAA tourney in her second season, 2014-2015. Known for her drive and determination, her meticulous preparation, and her ability to motivate herself and others, McConnell Serio was inducted into the Woman’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. In a family of basketball champions, her star burns bright.
Related institution
Women's National Basketball Association
Related institution
Seton LaSalle Catholic High School
Related person
Suzie McConnell Serio
(born 1966)
Related institution
Pennsylvania State University
Related institution
Cleveland Rockers
Related institution
National Collegiate Athletic Association
On View
Not on view
Stella Marrs
1984
