Dec. 23, 2005

DALLAS - The Dallas Morning News named Baylor women's basketball coach Kim Mulkey-Robertson as a finalist in its Texan of the Year 10-part series, which began running on Dec. 21. Editorials about each finalist will appear between Dec. 21 and Dec. 30, with the Texan of the Year winner announced on Jan. 1.

The editorial praised Mulkey-Robertson's astonishing performance in guiding Baylor University and the Lady Bears to their first national championship.

"The Lady Bears' remarkable 33-3 record last season closed with 17 consecutive victories and the national title," the editorial read. "And Ms. Mulkey-Robertson did it with players overlooked by big-time programs like Connecticut, Tennessee and even Texas."

Each fall, The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board selects a Texan (or Texans) who has had uncommon impact; who exemplifies Texas traits of trailblazing, independence and staring down adversity; and who has affected or influenced lives (positively or negatively). Karl Rove and George W. Bush were named Dallas Morning News Texan of the Year in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

The Editorial Board began soliciting nominations in early November and received nearly 200 suggestions this year from people across the state. The board selected the finalists and winner through a vote.

"We had so many wonderful, thought-provoking, surprising nominations this year, it was difficult to choose just 10 for our series," said Keven Ann Willey, editorial page editor of The Dallas Morning News. "We deliberated and debated a lot during the selection process, but ultimately I'm proud of the decisions we made."

An article featuring Mulkey-Robertson's selection appears in the December 23 issue of the Dallas Morning News in Section A, page 24. In addition, read all Dallas Morning News Texas of the Year Coverage at: www.DallasNews.com/extra