Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

gillomfan · Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

As we embark on our 9th season anticipation is very high. We have a great team and awesome coaching staff. Things are looking up.

One issue still needs to be dealt with, and that is retiring Jen Gillom's number. In my opinion she was the Mercury. She gave her all game after game on and off the court. I propose starting a campaign to make this happen even if it means starting a petition and taking it all the way to the league office. Is anybody up for making signs to hold up at the games requesting Seth retire #22? I will make one for sure. If enough of us do it we will send a message loud and clear. Jen's number must be retired. Until it happens I will not be happy

kingbt · Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 70

I think it's a good idea. Especially since she wasn't with the team her final year and didn't get the goodbye sendoff that Michelle Timms did.

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1138

It might be a good idea....but they can not even get Timmsy jersey up or keep it up. I understand the people who are incharge of putting up the banners and jerseys in AWA want a huge amount of money to do so. Timmsy jersey had to come down when they were doing the remodeling work last year and I am not sure the funds are there to return it to it's rightful spot.

The only way I see them honoring Jen is if they think it may entice some past season ticket holders back. They could have the ceremony and never put the jersey up like they have done with Timms. :x

Having the ceremony to start the August home stand would be a good marketing tool if you ask me.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

I suggest you go straight to the top and start lobbying Mr. Sarver because the Organizational side of the Merc is overworked as it is.

gillomfan · Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

Does Sarver even know who Jen is? He didn't know who Diana Tarazzi was at first. I think I need to start a petition ind get as many people as I can to sign it. Then I'll present it to Seth. If that doesn't work I will go as high as I have to even if it means going to the league office. Jen was our heart and soul. She deserves to be honored. It's a disgrace she has not been so far.

Does anybody have an extra ticket for this saturday's game? shoot me a private message. Go Mercury!

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1564 Location: Phoenix

Seth doesn't have that power. The petition should go to Sarver.

My sign is currently resreved for an Aussie Ledge...gotta encourage the newbies;)

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

Caune, what does your sign say?...more Tim Tams and Violet Crumbles? :twisted:

NEZCardsfan · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 12

What do I have to do to help get this done?? I am a diehard and am ready to prove myself to you guys.

100%MercuryFan · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 10

Nez, you look so familiar in your picture, Do I know you?

NEZCardsfan · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 12

I sit in Section 111 if that is what you mean.

Why?? Do you want to get to know me?? LOL

I see you like Cosmos, so we have that in common.

100%MercuryFan · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 10

You just look so familar, Do you go to the clubs in Scottsdale? And yes I ADORE Cosmos

NEZCardsfan · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 12

I will start a new thread in the general section. I don't want to waste space with Off Topic stuff.

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

In sports, generally, there are a few years before the retiring of numbers. There was an exception for Timmsy...a unique situation...remember, she started her career with the Mercury and ended her career with the Mercury.

The plan is to do a "Legends Wall" in the future.

And the Mercury have honored Jen and Bridget in the last few years. We embrace our players...including former players. We continue to seek to have former players involved with the organization.

gillomfan · Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

I spoke to Jay Par tonight and asked her when Jen's number will be retired. She said the organization is not in any hury. They feel they have recognized her several times and that is enough for now. Well, I strongly disagree. So this settles it. I will write up a petition and get as many fans as I can to sign it. I will take it all the way to the league office if I have to. It is a disgrace to not have Jen's number retired. I will have the petition ready by the next home gmae on June 2nd. I will also have a sign to hold up requesting her number be retired. Some of you don't understand why I am so passionate about this. To me Jen is not just a player but also a friend. I will not be happy until I see her number retired.

carolina_gamecock · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Phoenix, AZ

I'm sorry, but I disagree with retiring Gillom's number, at least in any great hurry. I don't know Jen personally like y'all do. I do know she broke a lot of little girl's hearts when she went off to the hated Sparks for her last year playing. Now that may have been the best thing for her personally, but it doesn't show the sort of commitment to the team that Timmsy had.

I have heard that management kissed her behind for years, and did everything they humanly could to keep her here for her last season. I have also heard that her prescence in the locker room was not always positive. (In Jen's defense though, how positive can you be when your coach is having an affair with the starting power forward...)

Players in other sports do not get their numbers retired for exactly these sorts of issues. I know some of you will get really angry about this. I don't have as much personal involvement in this issue, so just consider it the view from the outside.

Instead of flaming me, think about how you would sell retiring her number to fans outside your clique. If you have good convincing arguments and can sell your position to more fans, then you probably stand a good chance of selling it to Sarver. Just keep in mind that many fans have mixed emotions about "Gunner" Gillom.

Mercurymaniac · Joined: 04 Aug 2002 Posts: 1197 Location: Scottsdale

Gamecock, you make some good points and it is interesting to see things from an outside perspective. Thanks for the look.

I can honestly say I didn't think of Jen as a "gunner", but was really pissed when she bolted to LA.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out in the future.

SuziQ · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 288 Location: Phoenix

While I love Jennifer, too, I can't say I'd support retiring her number yet, either. Timmsy stayed, win or loose, and Jen didn't.

I felt she thought trying to get a ring was more important than staying w/ the organization and fans who loved her best and helped her build her fame. It hurt me alot when she did that.

I still love her, and loved seeing her at the game Saturday. But she's gotta wait, and I'm okay with that.