Biography

Chantel Ruth Tremitiere was born on October 20,1969 in Williamsport, PA. She was adopted into the family of William and Barbara Tremitiere as an infant and grew up in York, PA. Chantel has 14 brothers and sisters of differing ethnic backgrounds. She grew up playing basketball with her brothers and sisters, stating that they needed another player to make two even teams. She began averaging 30 points a game at Hannah Penn Middle School and was basketball star when she transferred to William Penn High School. She graduated from William Penn High School in 1989, and chose to attend Auburn University, where she received a full basketball scholarship.

Collegiate

Chantel started every basketball game for the Auburn Tigers in 1991, and averaged 4.1 points and 4.0 assists. In 1990, she was selected to the NCAA All-Tournanment Team, she also earned her Bachelors Degree in Public Relations from Auburn. Chantel continued her hoop dreams overseas, playing for Lotos Gdynia in Turkey. She was also an assistant basketball coach for Auburn (91-92); Texas (92-93) and the University of Massachusetts(93-96).

Professional/ WNBA

In 1996, Chantel received the invitation of a lifetime to tryout for the WNBA. She was selected 14th overall by th Sacramento Monarchs. She had her most successful season playing with the Sacramento Monarchs, averaging 7.6 points and 4.8 assists. She also led the WNBA with an average of 37.5 minutes per game. Chantel was the Sacramento Monarchs original point guard, an honor currently held by Ticha Penichiero. Playing for the Monarchs also gave Chantel the opportunity to be reunited with Ruthie Bolton (Holifield) her teammate at Auburn. She also began a non-profit called Assist One, which broadcast the stories of children waiting to be adopted in the Sacramento, CA area. Chantel was traded to the Utah in 1998 and played two seasons for the Starzz. She continued to average 5.5 points per game and 3.6 asists. She finished 4th in the WNBA in assists. In 2000, she was acquired in the 6th round of the expansion draft, and she joined the newly formed Indiana Fever. She played for the Fever, one season; She had been suffering from an ankle injury most of the season and retired on 04-23-01 from the WNBA at the age of 31. Chantel played basketball briefly again in Turkey and for the ABA team, York City Noise.

What Makes Chantel Great

She left basketball to pursue other interest such as acting. She can be seen in the 2002 Disney Movie "Double Teammed" about Heather and Heidi Burge, also WNBA superstars. There is also talk of a movie of her life directed by Penny Marshall, she has already written her Oscar acceptance speech. Chantel has held many charity basketball games, bringing businesses and celebrity's together for the benefit of the community, in Sacramento and York, PA. She continues her commitment to community service, speaking for youth groups and volunteering with at risk youth. She was recently the guest speaker at North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)'s 2005 annual conference in Pittsburg, PA. As the WNBA's 10th anniversary begins on May 20, 2006, Chan: remarkable and you are missed.

"The only thing we are guaranteed in life is a chance. And we become the person we are by what we do with that chance" -Chantel Tremitiere

Vital Statistics

Position: Guard

Height: 5'6

Weight: 142 lbs.

Hometown: York, PA

College: Auburn University

References

Owens. T & Helmer. D (1999) Teamwork: The Sacramento Monarchs in Action. NY:NY Powerkid Press Meyer. J (1997) Women in Sports http://www.makeithappen.com/wis/bios/chantel.html (12-29-05) WNBA player retires (04-23-01) http://www/sfgate/com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/news/archive/2001/04/23/sports1517EDT.htl (12-29-05) Clark, S. Giving adopted kids a shot- professional basketball player Chantel Tremitiere helps adoptees. Essence Magazine 07/98. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_n3_v29/ai_20862222

 Ms. Tremitiere's presentation at NACAC 2005 in Pittsburg, PA