Correction: Elon News Network initially misprinted Venessa Corbett's name. Elon News Network regrets this error.
History was made in the Schar Center on Sunday afternoon as the first ever Elon female jersey was retired. Venessa Corbett’s No. 55 jersey was lifted into the wings of the Phoenix’s home arena. Corbett is the Elon all-time leader in points with 2,430. Corbett also holds records in field goals per game, and rebounds per game.
The retirement comes on the Play-For-Kay game, a game held by most collegiate teams to honor former Elon and NC State head coach, Kay Yow, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987. Yow continued to be a coaching force, continuing to coach until early 2009. She passed away later that year.
Corbett is a survivor of breast cancer herself, and was honored at halftime, along with other cancer survivors, as a testament to the willpower that women fighting breast cancer display all across the world. This comes on the same day in which she was forever immortalized in Elon lore.
Venessa Corbett joins head coach Charolette Smith, President Connie Book and Athletic Director Dave Blank at her jersey retirement.
More on Corbett can be found in this week’s edition of the Pendulum.