Legends Ball Event Founder
The Multifaceted Journey of Rita “Noodie” Esannason
Rita “Noodie” Esannason – a name that resonates with greatness. A force to be reckoned with in the world of sports, she has worn many hats throughout her illustrious career. From being a prominent figure in the Jamaican National Women’s Team as a coach and player to thriving as an entrepreneur and basketball official, Rita’s accomplishments are as diverse as her titles. But there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Rita’s passion for basketball took root during her high school and college years, where she shined as a standout player. Her love for the game and her competitive spirit have endured, propelling her towards her hoop dreams. These dreams have led her to Santiago, Cuba, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, where she showcased her coaching prowess in the 2006 Pan American Games, striving to secure a spot in the 2008 Olympics. “My goals are twofold,” Rita explained. “To impart new knowledge to individuals, exposing them to unexplored territories, and ultimately, to help shape not only better basketball players but also better human beings.”
At the tender age of 15, Rita embarked on her coaching journey by mentoring boys aged 9 and 10, a heartfelt gesture to give back to her community and the sport she adored. From honing the skills of future basketball legends like Ronald Mathis, famously known as “The Terminator,” to guiding WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw, Rita has left her mark on athletes of all ages and abilities. Simultaneously, she ventured into the world of officiating, refereeing high school and college basketball games. In a historic feat, Rita became the first African-American female to officiate a high school girls’ basketball championship game at the iconic Madison Square Garden.
In 1986, Rita co-founded Women With A Future™, a non-profit women’s organization that organized an annual female All-Star tournament for former college players with some professional experience. The league attracted notable players like Carol Blazejowski, the General Manager of the New York Liberty (WNBA), Lynette Woodard, a former Globetrotter, and Nancy Lieberman, now an ESPN broadcaster.
In 1995, Rita and a group of dedicated colleagues embarked on a mission to elevate women’s basketball in the United States. However, they faced a significant hurdle: securing sponsorships for women’s basketball proved to be a daunting task. Undeterred, Rita reached out to an old friend for assistance – none other than Queen Latifah. “Queen Latifah was a basketball player long before she became a star,” Rita recalled. “She always assured me that whenever I needed support, she would be there.” Thus, HoopHeads was born, a non-profit organization devoted to sponsoring national women’s basketball tournaments held in New York, Atlanta, Washington, DC, and California. Thanks to the Queen’s influence, sponsors flocked in, and female players from all corners of the country flocked to participate in these extraordinary weekend extravaganzas.
In 2008, Rita hosted her inaugural Bi-Annual Noodie’s Legends Ball Reunion in New York City, a grand event where illustrious figures like Rhonda Windham (former GM of the LA Sparks), Dana Owens (Queen Latifah), Nicole McCrimmon (two-time champion with the LA Sparks), and Michelle Edwards (former WNBA player) were honored, among many others.
While Rita’s playing career has taken a backseat, her love for the game has only grown stronger over time.
The Legends Ball Beginning
It all began in October 2007 when Noodie had a casual conversation with Fay Miles and Lynn Mayo. Little did she know that this conversation would ignite a passion within her to reconnect with former players and friends. The inaugural Legends Ball took place on August 16, 2008, honoring ten exceptional women of basketball. Since then, Noodie’s Legends Ball has grown into a bi-annual celebration, wholeheartedly supported by the community, dedicated to honoring our basketball legends.
None of this would have been possible without the invaluable support, hard work, and dedication of five remarkable individuals. Noodie extends her heartfelt gratitude to Eloise Feinberg, Traci Fuller-Toon, Tiffany Stubbs, Lisa Craig Smith, and Sharia Walker for their contributions to the success of this event.
Join us at Noodie’s Legends Ball as we come together to celebrate the bonds formed on the basketball court, honor outstanding players, and pay tribute to those who have made a difference both on and off the court.
