Dream Named Team of the Year at Atlanta Sports Awards
The Atlanta Sports Awards was created by the Atlanta Sports Council to celebrate the most accomplished athletes, coaches, teams and outstanding contributors in the Atlanta sports community. The Team of the Year award is presented to an Atlanta high school, collegiate or professional team whose dedication and work ethic resulted in a consistently high level of achievement or a championship.
The Dream earned the award on the strength of a third Eastern Conference Championship and trip to the WNBA Finals in four seasons. After defeating Washington in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Dream swept defending WNBA champion Indiana in the conference finals to reach the WNBA Finals.
The Dream reached the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year in 2013, and set a franchise record with a 13-4 home record. Atlanta opened the season with a 10-1 record, becoming just the sixth team in WNBA history to win at least 10 of its first 11 games.
It marks the second time the Dream has won the Team of the Year award at the Atlanta Sports Awards. The Dream also claimed the award in 2012 after reaching the 2011 WNBA Finals.
Other finalists for the Team of the Year award were the Norcross High School football team and the University of Georgia women's swimming and diving team.
Also at the Atlanta Sports Awards, Dream guard/forward Angel McCoughtry was one of three finalists for the Professional Athlete of the Year award, which was awarded to the Atlanta Braves' Craig Kimbrel.
The three-time Eastern Conference Champion Atlanta Dream tips off its seventh season in the Women�s National Basketball Association (WNBA) on May 16 against the San Antonio Stars in Philips Arena. The Dream has qualified for the playoffs in each of the past five seasons, including conference titles in 2013, 2011 and 2010. Season tickets for the 2014 season are now available and can be purchased by calling (877) 977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net.