DePaul University Athletics
Where Are They Now Wednesday: Lenae (Williams) Fergerson
9/23/2020 1:06:00 PM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Former DePaul shooting star played in the WNBA and in Europe
CHICAGO – Welcome to a fun trip down memory lane as we present a series of feature profiles known as "Where Are They Now Wednesday."
In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on Lenae (Williams) Fergerson (1998-02) who was an Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection as a senior and is DePaul's No. 4 all-time scorer with 2,046 career points. She is one of only four Blue Demons to score more than 2,000 points in their time at Lincoln Park.
Lenae is tied for second all-time in single-game scoring when she put up 41 points against Iowa State. At one point, Lenae had singlehandedly outscored the host Cyclones 29-28. She owns the career record for three-pointers with 303 and also three-point attempts (924). The sharpshooter is also No. 4 all-time in scoring average (17.6) and field goals (721).
In her own words, Lenae brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
What years did you attend DePaul and compete in athletics? What were the most memorable performances for you and the team? When did you graduate and with a degree in what major?
I attended DePaul from 1998-2002. Probably most memorable for me was scoring 41 against Iowa State at their gym in front of many WNBA scouts.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
Some of my best memories were traveling to Europe to play abroad with the team. First time out of the country and was a lot of fun and a great experience. Every home game just running out and around our court and all of our fans and band was something that always gave me goose bumps and thinking about it still does. Lastly, going to the Blue Demon room after our home games.
Was there a favorite coach, professor or teammate who motivated you to reach this level of success?
My favorite coach of course is Doug Bruno! Doug took a chance on me that no one else was willing to take and developed me into a complete player that allowed me to play professionally.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
Playing for Doug and being at DePaul was an experience that not only allowed me to play basketball, but helped mold me into the person I am today. I learned that nothing is easy and you have to work for anything you want while controlling your attitude. We may not be able to control adversity, but we can control how we tackle it.
Talk about life after DePaul---did you attend grad school and when did you graduate and with what degree? Where did you live after graduating DePaul and what was your first job out of college? Did you wind up getting married and raising a family? Where do you live today?
So, life after basketball was crazy fun. I was drafted in the 2002 WNBA Draft---second round, 18th pick overall to the Detroit Shock. After playing the season there I headed overseas to Europe where my career began in Italy. I did graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing. I received my diploma via mail because I was in the league and was on the road for a game. I was not able to walk across the stage which is a regret I do have.
I continued to bounce around the league for three more years and it just wasn't working out, so I focused on my career in Europe where I played 12 years professionally. I played in Italy, Greece, Slovakia, Israel and seven years in France. France is where I retired and also met my husband, David Fergerson. We got married in 2016. In 2017, we welcomed our first baby girl Leianna Renae Fegerson, and in 2019 our second baby girl Zoie Nicole Fergerson. We're living in suburban Bloomingdale.
How did you meet David?
We actually met in Nantes, France when I was playing for the women's team and David was playing for the men's team. I had just finished practice one day and was sitting on the sideline stretching. He was sitting on the bench with his team about to start practice, but he was injured.
So I asked him what happened and that started our conversation. When you are in Europe and you see or know other Americans, you quickly gravitate to them, introduce yourself, etc. While I thought he was cute, I didn't think much more of it LOL.
But each day, we saw he each other and talked. He came to my games and I went to his games. Then we started working out together in our free time and getting more shots up. I ended up having some of my best games shooting-wise. I told him his rebounding for me and playing one-on-one helped me get better that season. That is how it all started, and nine years later we're still together---still shooting and playing one-on-one with each other!
When did you launch your career and what profession are you working in? Where are you working, for which company and what are the top priorities of your job?
I would say I have multiple jobs from being a wife, mother, coach, teacher aide and mentor. My husband and I have a basketball program called MY JOURNEY HOOPS. We are a travel AAU program and offer skills and training. I also work and coach girls varsity basketball at my alma mater Addison Trail High School.
How did you land your job, and were there any DePaul connections or university networking that helped?
When I was done playing, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. My high school athletic director said there was an opening in the library that I could take for now. Four years later I am still doing it and loving it. Working in the school has great hours, benefits and I love being around the kids every day and also coaching them. I'm pretty sure just having DePaul on my resume catches some attention.
In what ways did your DePaul education and student-athlete experiences prepare you for your success after college?
I think my DePaul education and student-athlete experiences helped me know how to be and stay disciplined, communicate, be detail-oriented and be able to multitask.
What do you miss the most about DePaul?
I miss the atmosphere. I miss being around Doug Bruno and hearing his raspy voice and the whistling he does without a whistle (LOL). The whole college experience was fun and always reminds me of the good old days!
What is the situation with the coronavirus in your locale? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
Covid-19 is what it is, I say. It has put a damper on lot of things. Currently, we are remote learning for school and just waiting to see when we can return. Precautions I have taken are wearing my mask while out in public and washing hands.
How has COVID-19 affected your career and your life overall?
It hasn't affected my career that much except just working from home now. But it has stopped us from traveling this summer, birthday parties, a first birthday party and a third birthday party, celebrating our wedding anniversary and also being together mourning family members who have passed. But again, what I learned from DePaul and Doug is to control my attitude and try to make the best out of these situations.
How do you spend your free time?
In my free time which is limited I try to relax and watch some of my favorite shows. I run and still play pickup basketball when I can. Still can shoot so watch out!
What advice would you pass onto current Blue Demons getting ready to venture out into the real world? How much hard work and perseverance does it take?
My advice would be to hold on to all the memories and a lot of the things you guys are learning, experiences and the things that Doug says will come back around. What you have been experiencing and all the hard work you are putting in to graduate, get playing time, improve your game, etc. will prepare you for life after college. You will know what it takes and will have the determination needed to want and achieve success.
In the middle of each week as we navigate our way around a deadly pandemic, we will bring back a little normalcy into your world reminiscing about some of those favorite Blue Demon players that you cheered on in the days when we could all get loud and rowdy at a packed arena or stadium where no one ever heard of social distancing.
We will get the DePaul community and Blue Demon nation caught up on the life and times of familiar faces who brought you good vibes during their playing days in Lincoln Park.
Some continue to pursue their dream of playing in the pros, both overseas and in this country while others have launched successful careers and started raising a family of their own.
One thing they all share is a deep, abiding sense of kinship and gratitude for the impact on their lives from the DePaul experience and the willing sacrifices of coaches and athletics personnel to kick-start a successful journey while unlocking their vast potential.
We shine this week's spotlight on Lenae (Williams) Fergerson (1998-02) who was an Associated Press All-America honorable mention selection as a senior and is DePaul's No. 4 all-time scorer with 2,046 career points. She is one of only four Blue Demons to score more than 2,000 points in their time at Lincoln Park.
Lenae is tied for second all-time in single-game scoring when she put up 41 points against Iowa State. At one point, Lenae had singlehandedly outscored the host Cyclones 29-28. She owns the career record for three-pointers with 303 and also three-point attempts (924). The sharpshooter is also No. 4 all-time in scoring average (17.6) and field goals (721).
In her own words, Lenae brings us up-to-date in this Q & A exchange.
What years did you attend DePaul and compete in athletics? What were the most memorable performances for you and the team? When did you graduate and with a degree in what major?
I attended DePaul from 1998-2002. Probably most memorable for me was scoring 41 against Iowa State at their gym in front of many WNBA scouts.
What are the best memories you have of being a Blue Demon?
Some of my best memories were traveling to Europe to play abroad with the team. First time out of the country and was a lot of fun and a great experience. Every home game just running out and around our court and all of our fans and band was something that always gave me goose bumps and thinking about it still does. Lastly, going to the Blue Demon room after our home games.
Was there a favorite coach, professor or teammate who motivated you to reach this level of success?
My favorite coach of course is Doug Bruno! Doug took a chance on me that no one else was willing to take and developed me into a complete player that allowed me to play professionally.
What did you learn from your DePaul experience that is helping you now?
Playing for Doug and being at DePaul was an experience that not only allowed me to play basketball, but helped mold me into the person I am today. I learned that nothing is easy and you have to work for anything you want while controlling your attitude. We may not be able to control adversity, but we can control how we tackle it.
Talk about life after DePaul---did you attend grad school and when did you graduate and with what degree? Where did you live after graduating DePaul and what was your first job out of college? Did you wind up getting married and raising a family? Where do you live today?
So, life after basketball was crazy fun. I was drafted in the 2002 WNBA Draft---second round, 18th pick overall to the Detroit Shock. After playing the season there I headed overseas to Europe where my career began in Italy. I did graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Marketing. I received my diploma via mail because I was in the league and was on the road for a game. I was not able to walk across the stage which is a regret I do have.
I continued to bounce around the league for three more years and it just wasn't working out, so I focused on my career in Europe where I played 12 years professionally. I played in Italy, Greece, Slovakia, Israel and seven years in France. France is where I retired and also met my husband, David Fergerson. We got married in 2016. In 2017, we welcomed our first baby girl Leianna Renae Fegerson, and in 2019 our second baby girl Zoie Nicole Fergerson. We're living in suburban Bloomingdale.
How did you meet David?
We actually met in Nantes, France when I was playing for the women's team and David was playing for the men's team. I had just finished practice one day and was sitting on the sideline stretching. He was sitting on the bench with his team about to start practice, but he was injured.
So I asked him what happened and that started our conversation. When you are in Europe and you see or know other Americans, you quickly gravitate to them, introduce yourself, etc. While I thought he was cute, I didn't think much more of it LOL.
But each day, we saw he each other and talked. He came to my games and I went to his games. Then we started working out together in our free time and getting more shots up. I ended up having some of my best games shooting-wise. I told him his rebounding for me and playing one-on-one helped me get better that season. That is how it all started, and nine years later we're still together---still shooting and playing one-on-one with each other!
When did you launch your career and what profession are you working in? Where are you working, for which company and what are the top priorities of your job?
I would say I have multiple jobs from being a wife, mother, coach, teacher aide and mentor. My husband and I have a basketball program called MY JOURNEY HOOPS. We are a travel AAU program and offer skills and training. I also work and coach girls varsity basketball at my alma mater Addison Trail High School.
How did you land your job, and were there any DePaul connections or university networking that helped?
When I was done playing, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. My high school athletic director said there was an opening in the library that I could take for now. Four years later I am still doing it and loving it. Working in the school has great hours, benefits and I love being around the kids every day and also coaching them. I'm pretty sure just having DePaul on my resume catches some attention.
In what ways did your DePaul education and student-athlete experiences prepare you for your success after college?
I think my DePaul education and student-athlete experiences helped me know how to be and stay disciplined, communicate, be detail-oriented and be able to multitask.
What do you miss the most about DePaul?
I miss the atmosphere. I miss being around Doug Bruno and hearing his raspy voice and the whistling he does without a whistle (LOL). The whole college experience was fun and always reminds me of the good old days!
What is the situation with the coronavirus in your locale? What precautions are being taken to keep you healthy?
Covid-19 is what it is, I say. It has put a damper on lot of things. Currently, we are remote learning for school and just waiting to see when we can return. Precautions I have taken are wearing my mask while out in public and washing hands.
How has COVID-19 affected your career and your life overall?
It hasn't affected my career that much except just working from home now. But it has stopped us from traveling this summer, birthday parties, a first birthday party and a third birthday party, celebrating our wedding anniversary and also being together mourning family members who have passed. But again, what I learned from DePaul and Doug is to control my attitude and try to make the best out of these situations.
How do you spend your free time?
In my free time which is limited I try to relax and watch some of my favorite shows. I run and still play pickup basketball when I can. Still can shoot so watch out!
What advice would you pass onto current Blue Demons getting ready to venture out into the real world? How much hard work and perseverance does it take?
My advice would be to hold on to all the memories and a lot of the things you guys are learning, experiences and the things that Doug says will come back around. What you have been experiencing and all the hard work you are putting in to graduate, get playing time, improve your game, etc. will prepare you for life after college. You will know what it takes and will have the determination needed to want and achieve success.
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