Steve Nash (photo. Complex Magazine)

Dime: Can you tell us a few of the great stories you have witnessed or the great personalities around the NBA that hoops fans might not be aware of?
TC: Steve Nash is essentially a local around here in the Summer. Just another New Yorker, chilling out downtown, playing in soccer leagues. There was a great story about Steve in the Wall Street Journal recently about him just being “another dude.” And what I’ve witnessed for three straight summers is his “Showdown in Chinatown” soccer game fundraiser for his foundation. He brings huge NBA names and world class soccer or futbol players from around the world out to NYC in the summer to play in this game on a grass slab downtown. It’s a scene out of Europe or South America with passionate soccer fans climbing the fences and trees to watch a soccer game – Jason Kidd, Baron Davis, Leandro Barbosa, Grant Hill, Tony Parker, Chris Bosh, Brandon Jennings, the list goes on for the NBA guys – then there’s the international sensations from soccer: Thierry Henry, Claudio Reyna, Adrian Mutu, Ivan Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Ryan Babel, and his brother Martin Nash.

Dime: You get to work with some of the biggest names in broadcasting. Are there things you learn from people like Mike Breen or Clyde Frazier?
TC: I learn everyday from Mike and Clyde. Mike has always told me when I do a report, focus on one point, the most important point of the story, because the fans will remember what you reported, instead of going through a list of things and trying to cram it in 15 seconds. Clyde has taught me so much about the game, especially defense. Sometimes I sit next to him on the plane and I ask him questions about the game we just saw, and how to look for things when I’m watching. He explained to me things about help defense and how the ball finds the weakest link on the opponent’s team.

Dime: You have covered sports on every level. Do you have a favorite memory or game from high school, college or the NBA?
TC: It all started when I went to see the Rose Bowl in 1986. I was 11 years old and that was it. I wanted to work in sports after that day. Iowa beat UCLA. We went simply because my dad was a huge college football fan and he wanted the family to experience the granddaddy of them all! The fans, the game, the players, the cheerleaders, the bands, the pageantry – it was an atmosphere I wanted to be in, everyday.

Dime: You are a big proponent of education as well. Are there specific things you try and do or groups you work with to engage female fans?
TC: I’ve started a speaking series that targets women who want to be savvy when they talk sports. It’s called “Tina’s Tips, a gal’s guide to …” and then I fill in the topic: the NBA Playoffs, the Knicks, football, soccer, the Red Bulls. It’s part class, part networking, very social. The draw is my special guests. Ronny Turiaf and Roger Mason Jr. came out to an event this past season, answered questions from the crowd and took pictures. Some of the women are still talking about it. The events are held at restaurants or bars in New York and we always have a signature drink. I think one was a “Basket-tini” and it was orange with blueberries.

Dime: Tell us about your charity work, and what it has been like working with ACS and the coaches in Coaches vs. Cancer lately?
TC: The Garden of Dreams Foundation, Madison Square Garden’s non-profit charity that makes “dreams come true for kids facing obstacles” is very rewarding. Just this week I was the emcee of the wrap part for MSG Networks’ involvement in the foundation called “MSG Classroom”. It’s an eight week course designed to teach high school students about career opportunities available within the television industry. Throughout the course, students attain skills necessary to create their very own sports and entertainment program. During one Knicks game, the students shadow each of us on the Knicks crew. So I had a little shadow for a game. At the conclusion of the program, students present their original piece to MSG executives and employees during this special wrap party. It’s so rewarding to see MY SHADOW host the show and do so well. In addition, I have recently started working with American Cancer Society (ACS) and the “Coaches vs. Cancer” division. My husband is currently battling colon cancer and we want to get the word out to those UNDER 50 years old, that if you are sensing even the slightest sympton, even if you are 26 years old, get a colonosopy. By raising awarness of Coaches vs. Cancer and helping them raise funds (my husband, Kevin McKearney and I participated in their “Trading Day at NASDAQ” on May 12th), we can get the word out. I have a voice in the New York sports community so why not use it? Especially because the demographic we are targeting is my husband’s demographic, males 25-45.

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