THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, February 8, 1997            TAG: 9702080017
SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A12  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   27 lines

HAT'S OFF TO ODU'S LADY MONARCHS

During a time-out break at an Old Dominion University Lady Monarch's basketball game, I was musing about this year's 200th anniversary of the Norfolk Police Department and the things that make Norfolk and Hampton Roads great.

It occurred to me that these young women's basketball games are one of the valuable attractions that folks in the Hampton Roads area can enjoy. One does not need much knowledge of basketball to appreciate the enthusiastic energy those girls utilize throughout the entire game. From the opening whistle to the last second of the game, these young ladies give 100 percent.

The teamwork they display while playing at full throttle the entire game is a real-life manifestation of the phrase ``do your best.''

They play hard, never slacking. They usually win, but even if they don't win the game, they win in the basic things that count in life.

I urge everyone who has any appreciation for sports to attend one of their games. My hat's off to ODU's Lady Monarchs and to their coaching staff, led by Wendy Larry.

HENRY P. HENSON

Norfolk, Feb. 1, 1997