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A spirit that is not afraid

Alverson amazes all around

Senior Blanche Alverson was named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Miss Homecoming and
was named as a member of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team. (Courtesy of Todd Van Emst / AUBURN ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHER)
Senior Blanche Alverson was named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Miss Homecoming and was named as a member of the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team. (Courtesy of Todd Van Emst / AUBURN ATHLETICS PHOTOGRAPHER)

Alverson is a 6-foot-3 senior guard and forward for Auburn women's basketball team and was recently named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year with a GPA of 3.6.

The Andalusia native began playing basketball at the early age of four and with graduation just around the corner the question of following a career path of athletics or education is pertinent in her mind.

She recently scored a career-high of 32 points on senior day against Mississippi State, adding her to the list at 22nd of all- time career scoring at Auburn, and also became the second Auburn woman and 33rd SEC player to record 200 3-pointers.

"This was my last game here and it has been a great four years," Alverson said. "I didn't think about my shooting at the last game, I just came out and played."

Alverson said she was feeling a little anxious before the game because everyone always wants to have a good performance their senior day.

Without the support of her teammates Alverson said she would not be as successful on or off the court.

"I always look to her in every play, she is such a great player she makes my job so much easier," said Najat Ouardad, senior point guard.

Alverson was also recently named to the inaugural Allstate WBCA Good Works Team. Alverson is the only woman, from the five NCAA Division I players named, in the SEC to receive the award.

According to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, the award recognizes a unique group of women's college basketball student-athletes who have made outstanding contributions in the areas of volunteerism and civic involvement including building homes for the elderly, leading basketball clinics, reading to students and working with children with hearing disabilities.

She was recognized for her work with Ballin' for Books, the book drive community service program she created.

"Doing community service means so much to me," Alverson said. "That is something that my parents have always instilled in us from an early age, that we need to give back because we are so blessed."

The organization raised more than 1,100 books in its first year, which were all donated by the Auburn community and fans. The books were given to the Pine Hills Literacy Project, Loachapoka Library and several other reading programs.

Alverson juggles schoolwork, basketball, and Ballin' for Books while maintaining a 3.68 grade point average. She is also a member of several honor societies and pursing a degree in biomedical sciences.

Alverson said she struggled with managing time during her freshman year, but has since learned to manage it more efficiently.

"I've realized that if it is important to you, you will make time," Alverson said. "That's really what I've focused on. I need to study even if that means staying up until three in the morning for a test."

Cindy Alverson, Blanche's mom, is a special needs pre-kindergarten teacher and because they always talked with each other about giving back to the community, the idea for Ballin' for Books was given life.

"I have always wanted something I could call my own," Blanche Alverson said. "We are really happy with the success."

With numerous amounts of awards already under her belt, Alverson also added the title of Auburn's Miss Homecoming to her long list of achievements.

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"With Blanche being as busy as she is, she still does everything we ask her to do," said coach Terri Williams-Flournoy. "When we want her to get in the gym and work on her shot, she does that."

Williams-Flournoy said that it is going to be tough to see Alverson as well as the rest of the senior class leave.

Alverson will not only leave a legacy on the community with her volunteerism, but also on Auburn University with her talent on the court.


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