Andrella Gray - 2001 

Andrella Gray helped to usher in a new era of women?s sports in the Alabama Junior College Conference.  She was perhaps the first women?s All-American in women?s basketball in the junior college level in Alabama. 

A native of Town Creek, Gray played on the boys? team at Hazelwood High School before being recruited to play for the Lady Warhawks by Coach Myra King.  Gray helped to lead the Lady Warhawks to two National Junior College Athletic Association Region XXII championships and two trips to the National Tournament in Overland Park, Kansas. 

Named as the Most Valuable Player in the state as a sophomore and All-American in 1978, Gray set a new standard in virtually every scoring and rebounding statistic for the Lady Warhawks.  Her record for the most field goals in a game (17) remains in the record boo, although Linda Burgess tied it more than ten years later. 

Signed by the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Gray was hit by the ?homesick? bug and returned home.  She then was offered a scholarship at Delta State University and accepted.  She was twice named as the Most Valuable Player on the team and earned All-Region honors. 

Gray had thoughts of thoughts of playing professional basketball with Milwaukee Does, but the league was doomed by financial difficulties.  Needing a semester to graduate from Delta State, she went back on a softball scholarship.  She was again named as the team?s Most Valuable Player and to the All-Region team.  She was graduated from Delta State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and minors in psychology and sociology.  

After working as an Activity Therapist for six years, Gray joined the metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Police Force in 1988.  She was selected to be a member of the Crime Suppression Unit in 1994. 

Gray continues to be active in parks and recreation leagues in the Atlanta area.  She has attained several awards and plaques while employed with MARTA.  Honors received:

• Police Officer of the Year ? 1997, Marta Police Dept.
• Life Saving Medal ? 1997, Marta Police Dept.
• Exceptional Performance ? 1996, Marta Police Dept.
• Medal of Valor ? 1997, Atlanta Police Dept.
• Police Officer of the Year ? 1997, Dekalb County Bar Association, Inc.
• Resolution Commending Plaque ? 1997, Marta Police Dept.

 

Currently she serves as SWAT Team Alternate Hostage Negotiator and Supervisor, Sergeant in the North Precinct for Marta police Department.