2002 Greater Flint Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: MULTIPLE SPORTS
Parent: Barbara Allen (Mother)
Denise grew up on Mary Street on Flint’s north side. She attended Kennedy and Dort Elementary Schools. Whittier and Lowell Middle Schools and graduated from Flint Northwestern High School.
Denise played on three consecutive city championship teams at Flint Northwestern. She was named to the Saginaw Valley All Valley Team. She missed by two points of being a unanimous selection.
A three year starter for Flint Northwestern, she was the leading scorer with a 14 point average. Playing against Flint Northern, Denise pulled down 105 rebounds, 13 assists, 32 steals and scored 26 points. Against Flint Central she scored 24 points. She was Northwestern’s best free throw shooter and her leadership ability helped Northwestern hand Saginaw its only regular season loss.
In volleyball, Denise was the most outstanding volleyball player in 1974,1975, 1976 and 1977.
At Eastern Michigan University, Denise teamed up with Laurie Byrd (a Hall of Fame Inductee), to beat University of Michigan. The follow up shot by Denise gave Eastern Michigan University the lead over University of Michigan. She scored 17 points against Northern Michigan for a team high and was known for a scrappy defense.
In 1982, Denise was named Eastern Michigan University’s Most Valuable Leader and made the All Mac. Team. In 1979 and 1980, she was voted the Best Athlete of the Year.
Denise is employed by the State of Michigan as a Probation Officer and lives in Flint.
