Associate Athletic Director Charlotte West remembers watching how a little point guard ran the offense for Memphis State University in 1975.

West, then SIUC women’s basketball coach, was impressed by the leadership skills of the player. The guard running the show for the Tigers was Cindy Scott.

She was a little floor general, West said. She caught my eye because she led the team in an efficient way.

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The first impression was everlasting, so much so that when West stepped down as coach the following year, she offered Scott a graduate assistant position with the Salukis.

Remembering the first impression again, West named a young, inexperienced Scott as head coach. Scott replaced Maureen Weiss in 1977.

That was a difficult decision, but I thought she had a lot of ability and lot of potential, said West of putting the program in the hands of a 23-year old.

Now 21 seasons and 613 games later, including four NCAA tournament appearances and eight 20-win seasons, Scott has proven West’s gamble to be a sure bet. Scott retired Thursday after finishing 10-18 last year.

I also want to thank Charlotte West for having faith in a 23-year old rookie, Scott said. Charlotte has been my mentor and one of my very, very personal friends.

West may have been a role model to Scott, but in the eyes of freshman guard Courtney Smith, her coach was a hero. Smith, who showed up for the press conference to support Scott despite being on crutches, had gone to Scott’s basketball camp since grade school.

She made a big impact on me, and I think that’s why her leaving has been so hard for all us, Smith said. She’s a terrific person and treats her players with a lot of respect.

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I think the program is going to miss her. I know us players are going to. I think right now everybody is in shock.

For senior center Branda Anderson, the Scott’s retirement was like losing a best friend. Anderson had one of the better relationships with Scott on and off the court and learned the news at a team meeting earlier that morning.

She taught me a lot about things beyond basketball like what it takes to be effective outside of the arena, Anderson said. She respected me and I really respected her.

Fittingly enough, Scott closes out her career the same year as the person who gave her the opportunity to coach. West will leave her post June 30.

Scott said it was just a coincidence and that she needed to get away from basketball and Southern Illinois. But wherever she lands, the treasures of her experiences in the Saluki program will be right behind.

I’m not going to remain in the Carbondale, Scott said. I am going to pursue other opportunities in other places.

I hope I can find somewhere that I can feel good about sharing my 21 years of experiences. So, just say a small prayer that that will happen.