source: wbuathletics.com
Leann Shieldknight Gillaspie was a legacy Flying Queen, but it was her savvy play, outstanding recognitions, and faith in God that would catapult Gillaspie into a legacy of her own.
Leann Shieldknight Gillaspie is a Spearman, Texas, native who chose to pursue a basketball career after watching her sister, Marcia Shieldknight, and the Flying Queens take the nation by storm with dominating performances over some of the top collegiate teams in the nation. Gillaspie was a member of the Flying Queens from 1973-1977.
“Like any good, little sister, who had just followed in Marcia’s footsteps playing varsity basketball for four years for the Lynxettes, I followed her to Wayland. I also followed my high school coach, Dean Weese, who was taking over the coaching responsibilities from Coach Harley Redin. I soon figured out that full court basketball was definitely a challenge,” said Gillaspie. “But I studied, watched and tried to mimic current players, and tried to step up to their level of play. It proved to be quite a challenge. I am so grateful for these ladies and their mentorships that got me started in the right direction! Through my years as Flying Queen, I was blessed and honored to play with some very talented teammates and friends.”
Flying Queens for Life!
IT IS A SMALL WORLD! Eighteen people from different parts of America were enjoying a bus tour of Canada when three of them discovered a unique connection. Pictured to theleft are Kaye Garms and Cookie Barron, both from Lakeland, Colorado, and Leann Shieldknight Gillaspie (in the middle in red shirt) from Amarillo, Texas. While not knowing each other before the trip, through casual conversation they discovered that all three went to Wayland Baptist and all three played for the Flying Queens: Kaye 1954-58; Leann 1973-77; and Cookie 1954-57. All Wayland Grads and Flying Queens for Life!
Gillaspie was not only familiar with the Flying Queen program from her sister, but her also High School coach, the late great Dean Weese, had just been named the new Head Coach of the Flying Queens after taking over for Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, Harley Redin.
During Gillaspie’s four-year career at Wayland Baptist, she scored a total of 1,046 points, while averaging a shooting percentage of 51.5%. Her teams achieved great success, including four straight National Women’s Invitational Tournament Championships, a third- and fifth- place finish in the AIAW National Tournament, a second-place finish in the National AAU Tournament, and two National AAU Tournament Championships.
Gillaspie experienced some of the greatest achievements possible during her time with the Flying Queens, but one of her greatest accomplishments was getting to represent the United States of America as a member of the 1975 USA All-Star Team that competed in Russia. She was one of five Flying Queens selected for the 1975 team, along with Carolyn Bush, Rosemary Brown, Breena Caldwell, and Pearl Worrell.
Gillaspie was recognized individually for her efforts on and off the floor, including being named an NWIT All-American during her junior season. Gillaspie was also recognized by Wayland Baptist coaches and administrators as the 1976-77 Roscoe Snyder Award winner, athletic department’s highest award for the top male and female athlete from that year who demonstrate character both during and outside competition, as well as maintaining an unwavering commitment to their academics.
Gillaspie was a 1977 graduate of Wayland Baptist and credits the Flying Queen program for instilling attributes such as perseverance and a strong work ethic that have guided her throughout her post-playing career.
Most importantly, due to the attributes and characteristics that she learned during her time as a Flying Queen, she developed and molded a powerful relationship with God that have helped her with all of the challenges she’s faced throughout her life, such as a fight against cancer.
“Through basketball, I learned to set goals, and become determined to reach those goals, to persevere, and remain positive. Through those attributes and a strong faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus, cancer was defeated. And God gave us even more than we had asked for.” said Gillaspie. “Because of the chemo, we were told we would not be able to bear our own children. They were wrong. Through His grace, we have four, natural born children. God is good!”
Gillaspie continued, “I am grateful to my parents, Coach Weese, Claude and Wilda Hutcherson, Wayland Baptist University, my teammates and of course, not least of all, Jesus for molding me into who I am today!”
Leann Shieldknight Gillaspie will be inducted into the Wayland Baptist University Athletics Hall of Honor at 9:00 A.M. Saturday, September 28th in the McClung University Center on the campus of Wayland Baptist University.