Member Of Gold Medal Hoops Team

Serphin R. Maltese, chairman of the board at Middle Village's Christ the King Regional High School, joined Vice Chairman and Sports Coordinator Robert Normandia and School Principal Peter Mannarino in congratulating Christ the King alumnae Sue Bird on her recent success in the Beijing Olympics.

By defeating Australia 92-65, Sue and her teammates earned a second consecutive gold medal in women's basketball. The gold medal victory in Beijing is yet another accomplishment for our inspirational alumni.

A 1998 graduate of Christ the King, Bird was named "Miss NY State Basketball" that same year and was a member of both the First Team WBCA & McDonald's All American and the First Team All New York State and First Team All City. She was named Player of the Year by both the Daily News and Newsday for 1997 and 1998. The 1996/1997 CK Team she played on was New York State Federation Champions, New York Catholic State Champs and CHSAA Champs. The 1997/1998 Team was USA Today National Champs, New York State Fed Champs, New York Catholic State Champs and CHSAA Champs.

A 2002 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Bird also distinguished herself at college. Her team was NCAA National Champs in both 2000 and 2002. In 2002 she was named 1st Team Kodak All American, WBCA National Player of the Year and Nancy Lieberman Award Winner As Best Point Guard in USA.

After graduating, she was the first pick in WNBA Draft by Seattle Storm. They were WNBA World Champions in 2004 and she has been named a WNBA All Star for seven straight years. With the addition of the gold medals, Sue is one of only six women to have won at each level of the game.

"It is difficult to express the pride our high school feels with every feat Sue achieves since graduating from Christ the King. Her dedication and pleasant demeanor are the qualities we strive to instill in our students at Christ the King and we would be hard pressed to find a better role model for our students to emulate," said Maltese.

"Congratulations again to Sue and the U.S. Women's Basketball team. Whether she is playing for the red, white and blue or for the Seattle Storm, Sue will always be a Royal here," said Normandia and Mannarino.