Linda Cunningham

Year:
Freshman
Hometown:
Brantford, Ontario
Position:
G
Height:
5-8

JUNIOR YEAR (1984-85)
All-Big Ten candidate Linda Cunningham has started in 81 of 86 games during her collegiate career, evidence of the many court responsibilities she has assumed. The versatile Cunningham has played usually at the offf-guard spot where she is best, but occasionally from the point and this season could see some small forward duty as well. Although last season's point production was uncharacteristically inconsistent, Linda was the Hoosiers' third leading scorer for the third straight year averaging 9.6 ppg. She is also a strong rebounder, defensive specialist and floor leader. Cunningham needs only 48 assists to become Indiana's career assist leader and her three-year free throw percentage of .769 is only one-thousandth short of Cindy Bumgarner's one-year record performance. Linda scored a 1984-85 season high 20 points in IU's overtime loss to South Carolina and led the Hoosiers on the boards in four games, gathering 12 rebounds against Illinois to tie her career high. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 1983 and during her sophomore season was chosen conference Player of the Week for her 38-point, 10-rebound and 11 assist weekend in wins over Iowa and Northwestern. From Brantford, Ontario, Cunningham spent two summers playing for the Canadian National Team on tours of Taiwan. A 1982 Junior National Team member, she also played in 1981, 1982, and 1983 for the Ontario provincial teams which won the Canadian National Championship and was voted MVP in the 1983 tournament.

SOPHOMORE YEAR (1983-84)
An All-Big Ten candidate this season, junior Linda Cunningham has started 55 of 58 games in her collegiate career, usually at the off-guard spot where she is best but occasionally from point, as well. She is the teams only returning fulltime starter. The Hoosiers' third leading sorer last year behind now graduated duo of Rachelle Bostic and Denise Jackson, Linda produced 8.6 points per game, shooting .446 (88-189) from the field and a team-leading .805 (66-82) at the line. Last Season Cunningham's game high was 23 points against Northwestern where she was 11 for 12 at the free throw line, a .920 performance which gives her the Indiana record for best free throw percentage (in nine or more attempts) in a single game. Linda also shows up in the IU assists category taking only two years to accumulate 225, a figure good enough to establish her at fourth on the school's career list. In the Big Ten record book she is second in 1984 free throw shooting with a league accuracy of .823 (51-62). In 1983, Linda was recognized a Big Ten Freshman-of-the-Year and last season was honored as conference Player-of-the-Week for her 38 point, 10 rebound, and 11 assist weekend in wins over Iowa and Northwestern. Hailing from Brantford, Ontario, Cunningham has spent the last two summers playing for the Canadian National Team on tours of Taiwan. a 1982 Junior National Team member, she also played in 1981, 1982, and 1983 for the Ontario provincial teams that won the Canadian national championship and was voted MVP in that tournament in 1983. Counted on for consistency and floor leadership, Linda's extensive leadership will be indispensable in this year of Hoosier youth.

FRESHMAN YEAR (1982-83)
A starter in all 30 of last season's contest, sophomore Linda Cunningham logged more time than any other Hoosier. Hailing from Brantford, Ontario, Cunningham spent the summer playing on the Canadian National Team as it toured Taiwan. A 1982 Junior National Team member, she also played in 1981 and 1983 for the Ontario provincial team that won the Canadian national championship and was voted MVP in that tournament this past summer. The Hoosiers' third leading scorer, Cunningham averaged 11.0 points [er game and 3.5 rebounds her rookie year. Last season her game high was 22 points against Kentucky in the NCAA First Round. In the Big Ten record book, Cunningham was fourth in assists per game behind three seniors and was further recognized by being voted BIg Ten "Rookie-of-the-Year" by conference coaches. A young veteran of the game, Linda will be looked to for consistency at the guard position this year, especially after playing competitively for her country all summer.

PREP
Hailing from Brantford, Ontario, Linda Cunningham adds international flavor to the Hoosier scene. Linda was a member of the Ontario Provincial team in 1980 and played for the 1981 provincial squad which won the national championship. This past summer she was selected to the Canadian Junior National Team for ages 19 and under and played with the squad in international competition. Because students in Canada attend high school through grade 13, Linda has the honor of earning five MVP awards while a prepster. As a senior she averaged 17 points per game. An excellent outside shooter, Cunningham possesses a fine court awareness both attributes which will pay off in a probable starting role this season. Coached by Mildred Kennedy and Ralph Esbaugh at St. John's College High School, Linda is a four-time recipient of St. John's Athlete-of-the-year award.