Former Lady Bear at Home on the Court

As a senior basketball player, Sybil Blalock led Mercer to a win over Tennessee in the 1974-75 season, handing the Vols then, first-year head coach, Pat Summitt, an 84-83 loss. Blalock had a knack for making plays and her basketball career blossomed into a record of success.

“What I felt was at home on the basketball court. I was at home. I was at home whether I was playing pick up. I was at home if I was in the back yard just shooting baskets by myself.”

Blalock grew up in the SmokyMountains of Tennessee in little town called Sevierville. Early on, an elementary school coach approached her while all the kids were playing basketball on the playground and asked her to come play for the team.

“I said well when’s practice? He said it’s after school and I said oh no that’s not for me. I can’t stay after school because I have a horse and I have to take care of the horse,” said Blalock.

The coach finally managed to convince Blalock to play and that began a perfect union of sport and athlete.