TicketsCheryl Cook was a star at George Washington High School in Indianapolis, earning honors in three sports: volleyball, track, and basketball. (She also played first base on the softball team.) On the volleyball court she was a middle blocker and was named all-city in 1980 while serving as captain for two years. In track, she won state in the 100m hurdles–setting a state record of 14.26 seconds––but she competed in all events open to women. "They won't allow girls to pole vault in Indiana," said Cook, "But if my team needed the points and I could get them by pole vaulting, I would."
But Cook's greatest gift was in basketball. As a junior she averaged 24.8 points, 19.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on her way to earning all-metro honors in Indianapolis. As a senior she averaged 29.7 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. She was honored with Indiana's Miss Basketball award, becoming the first athlete from Indianapolis to earn the distinction.
DID YOU KNOW? Cook's alma mater (George Washington) and Oscar Robertson's alma mater (Crispus Attucks) are separated by less than three miles.
Cook, who grew up playing basketball with her six brothers, developed a fierce competitive edge on the court. She was extremely sought-after as a high school prospect. The 1981 Indiana Ms. Basketball was recruited to Indiana University by Hall of Fame men's coach Bob Knight, but her heart was set on South Carolina. She even committed to the Gamecocks in 1980.
However, her summer basketball coach urged her to visit UC. "When I walked into that gym, I knew I'd fit right in," said Cook of her visit to the Queen City. By April 1981, Cook––a top-50 recruit––was bound for Cincinnati.
After arriving in Cincinnati, it wasn't long before Cook became "The Cookie Monster." She became the all-time scoring leader in Cincinnati women's basketball history. Her 2,367 points are second only to Oscar Robertson.
She led the Bearcats in scoring during her final three years in Clifton, winning a gold medal in the Pan-American Games after her sophomore season. She was selected for the Olympic Trials after her junior season but didn't make the team after spraining her ankle. There are the moments of folklore that live on, too––like the time Cook beat UC men's guard Junior Johnson in a game of one-on-one.
Cheryl Cook's number 24 jersey was retired in a pregame ceremony on Senior Night. The first 900 fans received a box of cookies. She was only the second Bearcats basketball player to have her jersey retired (following Oscar) and remains the only woman.
In 1985, Cook was one of 20 players invited to try out to be the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters. After her days in Cincinnati were over, Cook's best option to pursue a professional basketball career was in Europe. This was before the existence of the WNBA, and female superstars didn't have many options in America. The Cookie Monster went to Spain, where she averaged 38.9 points for four years, before going to Italy and scoring 25.7 for two more.
Cook was inducted into the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. She was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.
But Cook's greatest gift was in basketball. As a junior she averaged 24.8 points, 19.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on her way to earning all-metro honors in Indianapolis. As a senior she averaged 29.7 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. She was honored with Indiana's Miss Basketball award, becoming the first athlete from Indianapolis to earn the distinction.
DID YOU KNOW? Cook's alma mater (George Washington) and Oscar Robertson's alma mater (Crispus Attucks) are separated by less than three miles.
Cook, who grew up playing basketball with her six brothers, developed a fierce competitive edge on the court. She was extremely sought-after as a high school prospect. The 1981 Indiana Ms. Basketball was recruited to Indiana University by Hall of Fame men's coach Bob Knight, but her heart was set on South Carolina. She even committed to the Gamecocks in 1980.
However, her summer basketball coach urged her to visit UC. "When I walked into that gym, I knew I'd fit right in," said Cook of her visit to the Queen City. By April 1981, Cook––a top-50 recruit––was bound for Cincinnati.
After arriving in Cincinnati, it wasn't long before Cook became "The Cookie Monster." She became the all-time scoring leader in Cincinnati women's basketball history. Her 2,367 points are second only to Oscar Robertson.
She led the Bearcats in scoring during her final three years in Clifton, winning a gold medal in the Pan-American Games after her sophomore season. She was selected for the Olympic Trials after her junior season but didn't make the team after spraining her ankle. There are the moments of folklore that live on, too––like the time Cook beat UC men's guard Junior Johnson in a game of one-on-one.
Cheryl Cook's number 24 jersey was retired in a pregame ceremony on Senior Night. The first 900 fans received a box of cookies. She was only the second Bearcats basketball player to have her jersey retired (following Oscar) and remains the only woman.
In 1985, Cook was one of 20 players invited to try out to be the first female member of the Harlem Globetrotters. After her days in Cincinnati were over, Cook's best option to pursue a professional basketball career was in Europe. This was before the existence of the WNBA, and female superstars didn't have many options in America. The Cookie Monster went to Spain, where she averaged 38.9 points for four years, before going to Italy and scoring 25.7 for two more.
Cook was inducted into the James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. She was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010.