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| Michael Alter |
Chairman and Owner
Michael Alter is the Chairman and Owner of the Chicago Sky. A Chicago native, Michael is President of the Alter Group, one of the nation?s largest private commercial real estate developers. He is also active in the Chicago community, most prominently as the founder of City Year Chicago, an innovative national service program for 17-24 year olds.
Michael speaking about the players and why he is bringing the Chicago Sky to Chicago:
"For me, it was like meeting Ernie Banks or Bill Russell in their prime. I was so impressed not only by their prowess as athletes but their intelligence, their passion, their dignity and their power to inspire. After meeting these amazing women and learning more about the WNBA, it did not make sense to me that the third largest city in the country, and frankly, in my opinion, the best sports town in the country, did not have a WNBA team."
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| Margaret Stender |
President and CEO
Margaret Stender is the President/CEO of the team and minority owner. Margaret brings to this role 21 years of leadership experience in marketing and business management. Her most recent assignments were President of Juice Drinks for PepsiCo and President of Ready-To-Eat Cereals for the Quaker Oats Company. Before joining the business world, Margaret was a Division I collegiate basketball player at the University of Richmond and high school coach.
Margaret speaking about the vision for Chicago?s team:
"We call it 'fan-centric.' Our fans will be at the core of everything that this team will do and everything that it will stand for. We are committed to delivering to Chicago a WNBA experience that will excite, invigorate, and motivate our fans from the competition on the court to the total Pavilion experience. It will then extend out into the communities, the neighborhoods, the schools serving as a powerful source of inspiration to dream, to believe and to achieve."
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| Dave Cowens |
GM and Head Coach
Dave Cowens is the General Manager and Head Coach of the Chicago Sky. Cowens, 57, played center for the Boston Celtics. Although he was considered too small at 6-9 for the position by some critics, the left-hander relied on hustle and heart to help resurrect a Celtics dynasty. Cowens played for 11 years, 10 of which were with the Celtics. He was voted NBA MVP in 1973, was a seven-time NBA All-Star, led the Celtics to two NBA championships and in 1996 was named as one of the 50 greatest ever NBA players. While with Boston, he averaged 18 points and 14 rebounds, ranking 3rd in rebounds overall, 10th in games, and 8th in assists.
Dave Cowens speaking about what the WNBA embodies:
"The WNBA represents all that is great about basketball. My goal as a player in the NBA was not to be the best player on the floor, but to be the best team player. I see that concept everywhere I Iook in the WNBA. The players move the ball, play intense defense and dive for loose balls. They play with mutual respect, tenacity and high energy."
Cowens has had coaching experience in the NBA beginning with Boston as a player-coach and ten years combined with the Charlotte Hornets and the Golden State Warriors. He led the Hornets to back-to-back 50-plus win seasons and finished second to Pat Riley in the NBA Coach of the Year balloting after the 1996-97 season.
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