This just in from the UGA Sports Communications Office:

ATHENS, GA. — Teresa Edwards (pictured), a two-time All-American for the Georgia Lady Bulldogs and the only basketball player — male or female — to represent the United States in five Olympic Games — has been nominated for the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.

From now through June 16, fans can cast their votes for the 2009 class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame online at www.teamusa.org/halloffame.  VOTE for Teresa.

A native of Cairo, GA., Edwards owns the unique distinction of being both the youngest (20 in 1984) and oldest (36 in 2000) U.S. Olympic women’s basketball player to ever win a Gold Medal. She also was the youngest women’s basketball player ever invited to participate in a USA Basketball national tournament when she competed in the 1981 National Sports Festival during the summer following her junior year of high school.

Edwards then earned a spot on the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team soon after completing her sophomore season in Athens. She secured the first of five Olympic Medals – including four Golds – in Los Angeles. Those Olympics began a remarkable run when Edwards was the backbone of virtually every United States National Team to enter a major international competition from 1984-2000. She helped the U.S. secure additional Olympic Gold Medals in 1988, 1996 and 2000, as well as a Bronze Medal in 1992.

While she capped her career as co-captain of the U.S. squad in Sydney in 2000, Edwards is most remembered for her spectacular effort during the 1996 Centennial Games in Atlanta. She was chosen as the one athlete among the 10,320 competitors from 197 countries in those Games to recite the Athlete’s Oath at the Opening Ceremony. Edwards then led the Americans’ undefeated run to Olympic Gold while defeating their opponents by more than 28 points per game.

All told, Edwards played in 216 games representing the United States and compiled some incredible statistics — 2,008 points, 890 assists, 576 rebounds and 372 steals and a career field goal percentage of 50.3. Of a possible 18 medals competing for USA Basketball, she won 14 gold, one silver and three bronze medals, and U.S. teams with Edwards on the roster compiled an overall record of 205-14 for a 93.6 winning percentage.

Fifteen individuals, five teams and five Paralympians are included in the nominees. The inducted class will include five individuals, one team and one Paralympian, as well as three additional individuals: a coach, veteran and special contributor. The inductees will be revealed in early July and will be honored at a black-tie induction ceremony on August 12 at McCormick Place in Chicago. The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, which is presented by Allstate Insurance Company, is the only national sports Hall of Fame that includes fan voting.

The August 12 induction ceremony will honor the 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame class and introduce a new international honor – the Olive Branch Award – given to an individual or individuals who best represent the international ideals of the Olympic Games by working to build a peaceful and better world through sports. Also new to 2009, the induction ceremony will feature a special fundraising banquet to benefit Chicago 2016, Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Nominees for the induction class of 2009 were selected by a 10-person nominating committee consisting of athletes, members of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame, historians, and USOC representatives.

In addition to Edwards, the other 14 individual nominees are: Greg Barton, canoe/kayak; Jeff Blatnick, wrestling; Valerie Brisco-Hooks, athletics; Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, swimming; Gary Hall, Sr., swimming; Michael Johnson, athletics; Mary T. Meagher, swimming; Sheila Young Ochowicz, speedskating; Darrell Pace, archery; Terry Schroeder, water polo; John Smith, wrestling; Picabo Street, alpine skiing; Peter Westbrook, fencing; and Willye White, athletics.

The nominated Paralympians are: Jean Driscoll, athletics; David Larson, athletics; Greg Mannino, alpine skiing; Tony Volpentest, athletics; and Sarah Will, alpine skiing.

The nominated teams are: the 1976 Women’s 4×100 Freestyle Relay Team; the 1992 Men’s Basketball Team; the 1996 Synchronized Swimming Team; the 1998 Women’s Ice Hockey Team; and the 2002 Women’s Bobsled Team.

The charter class of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame was enshrined in 1983, with such Olympic legends as Cassius Clay, Peggy Fleming, Jesse Owens, Wilma Rudolph, Mark Spitz and the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team. Annual additions continued through 1992, adding Olympic legends such as Bart Conner, Dorothy Hamill, “Sugar Ray” Leonard, Carl Lewis, Greg Louganis and Mary Lou Retton.

In becoming the presenting sponsor, Allstate sparked the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame’s revitalization in 2004. During the company’s five-year tenure as a partner, the Hall of Fame has inducted numerous decorated Olympic athletes including: Bonnie Blair, Janet Evans, Florence Griffith Joyner, Dan Jansen, Kristi Yamaguchi and the 1996 “Magnificent Seven” U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team. Following last June’s induction of the Class of 2008, the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame currently consists of 213 Distinguished Athletes and 13 special contributors.

(Photo courtesy of WNBA Photos)

“Tee” was there for us at the awards banquet a few weeks ago, now it’s our turn to be there for her. Please vote and and help bestow this richly deserved honor upon our own Living Legend, Teresa Edwards.

Click here to help vote Teresa Edwards into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.