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Off the Backboard
The Official eNewsletter of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame |
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The summer is always an exciting time for the Hall as we meet women's basketball fans from all over the country. We hear the stories of the past and meet rising stars making an impact in their local AAU leagues and school teams. These stories remind of us of our mission and the importance of honoring the past, celebrating the present, and promoting the future of women's basketball. Aside from our museum visitors, the WBHOF hosted over 700 kids who participated in our Time-Out Camps and over 1,700 other guests with special events, group tours, and birthday parties. What a great summer it has been!
Now, as we look forward to fall, the Hall is busy preparing for the State Farm Tip-Off Classic on November 15th and already working on Induction 2012. We hope to see you at these events and hope you visit the Hall of Fame soon!
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Introducing the Class of 2012
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame announced its 14th group of inductees, the Class of 2012, on ABC during the WNBA All-Star Game in San Antonio, TX on July 23rd.
The six members of the Class of 2012 are: Nancy Fahey (coach), Nikki McCray (player), Pam McGee (player), Inge Nissen (player), Robin Roberts (contributor) and Dawn Staley (player).
With the addition of the Class of 2012, the list of individuals who have been recognized as Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will increase to 127.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted each year. Voting is based on various factors, which may include moral character, integrity, sportsmanship, record of performance, ability, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women's basketball.
Read the full press release about the Class of 2012 here.
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2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic
The 2011-12 women's collegiate basketball season will be tipped off in style as the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame teams up with State Farm, Intersport and ESPN to host the 2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic on November 15. This year's Tip-Off Classic will feature the University of Tennessee versus the University of Miami in Knoxville, TN (6 p.m., ESPN2).
The 2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic marks the 19th anniversary of the event, which has become synonymous with the start of the collegiate women's basketball season. Once again, this year's match-up will feature some of the best players, coaches and programs in the country. Led by Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, Tennessee is looking to turn things around this year and make a run at the 2012 Final Four. Miami, a young team with all their players back from last year and the nation's #7 overall recruit, Suriya McGuire, are looking to make their mark. Miami's coach, Katie Meier lead the team to its first ever ACC Regular Season Championship earning a three seed in the 2010-11 NCAA tournament.
This year will mark Tennessee's eighth appearance in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic posting a 5-2 record in the Tip- Off Classic. It will be the first appearance for Miami in the State Farm Tip-Off Classic and their first ever meeting against Tennessee. This will be the fifth time Knoxville, TN has hosted the event. During this year's game, there will be three Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees sitting on the bench for Tennessee (Pat Summitt, Holly Warlick, and Daedra Charles-Furlow).
During halftime, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2012 will be introduced to the arena and the national television audience.
Tune in on November 15th at 6 p.m. on ESPN2.
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The Mighty Macs
It's 1971. Cathy Rush is a woman ahead of her time, and she's about to embark on an adventure for the ages.
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Cathy Rush and the Mighty Macs |
As the coach of tiny Immaculata College, Cathy's challenges are as imposing as the big-school teams her Macs will face. While it appears they don't have a prayer, all hope is not lost.
Will this pioneer buck cultural norms and spur her rag-tag team to unexpected heights? Or will her hard-driving ways create a wedge between the coach and everyone around her?
Get ready to cheer on a true Cinderella team when THE MIGHTY MACS opens in theaters on October 21.
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Carla Gugino as Cathy Rush. |
With three inductees from Immaculta College (Cathy Rush, Class of 2000, Theresa Grentz, Class of 2001, and Marianne Crawford Stanley, Class of 2002), the WBHOF is thrilled to see this story come to life on the big screen. The staff at the Hall of Fame had the opportunity to see The Mighty Macs at a screening in Knoxville, TN, and even though we have all heard the story of the Mighty Macs before, we still found ourselves cheering on the team. It is a wonderful movie for basketball enthusiast and anyone who has ever dared to dream. The movie open on October 21st, but there are plenty of ways to get involved now.
Don't miss the chance to see one of the best women's basketball stories ever told!
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2011 Induction Weekend
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Muffet's Crew at the 4Kay Run/Walk |
The 2011 Induction was held in June, and like the years before, was filled with memories, laughter, and the stories of six remarkable basketball greats.
The weekend kicked off on Friday June 10th with the Class of 2011 exhibit unveiling, dinner, and storytelling with the inductees, their friends and family.
Saturday started bright and early as Induction guests, the basketball community, and the city of Knoxville laced up their shoes to participate in the Hall of Fame's third annual 4Kay Run/Walk. In the three years the Hall of Fame has hosted a 4Kay Run/Walk, we have been able to donate over $8,000 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, and have been able to raise awareness for the foundation.
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The Class of 2011 |
Later that evening the Bijou Theatre was filled with fans from around the country as the Class of 2011 was officially inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Each inductee received the coveted Eastman Trophy, shared their personal stories and said thank-you to a crowd of over 700. Following the ceremony, inductees and guests celebrated at the Hall of Fame during the after-party.
The staff at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame would like to thank our inductees, Board of Directors, sponsors, and guests for a great Induction weekend!
For more pictures from the 2011 Induction, visit our Facebook page. |
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2011 Induction Commemorative Package
Looking for a way to remember the 2011 Induction? Didn't get to make it, but still want to take part? The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is currently selling a commemorative package that includes a 2011 Induction postcard, collectible pin, autographed basketball, and Induction DVDs. The Induction 2-Disc set includes the full ceremony and interviews with the inductees.
$99.95 + tax & shipping
Order your 2011 Induction package by calling the Hall of Fame at 865-633-9000 ext. 223. |
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In-Service Day
On March 6th, 2012 the WBHOF will host its second In-Service Day for Knox County 1st - 5th grade students. Parents can drop their children off on their way to work or can stay at the Hall of Fame and participate in the activities as well. Students will have a guided tour of the museum, work on their basketball skills, play games, participate in educational programming, watch a movie, and have a pizza party for lunch.
For more information and to register your child visit our website or call us at (865) 633-9000 ext. 233.
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Hanes Hosiery Reunion
By Steve Mann
Maybe they were in no shape to run up and down the court, but nine players from the famed Hanes Hosiery women's basketball teams had plenty of stamina to celebrate the 60th anniversary of their 1951 national AAU championship.
There were plenty of laughs Sept. 10 at 4 Way Restaurant and a few tears as they renewed their friendships, swapped stories and even celebrated a former teammate's birthday for almost four hours.
"We developed lasting friendships," said Lounelle "Tex" Selle, 82, who organized what she said is at least the group's 20th reunion. "We learned to care for one another. We grew up together, we matured together. We were part of each other's families."
Selle pointed out that Jackie Swaim Fagg's sons and grandchildren attend Selle's church. Hazel Starrett Phillips, a retired schoolteacher, taught at least three of her former teammates' children. And Emily Williams, the daughter of the late Jimmie Vaughn Williams, provided the decorations for the event, including 17 floral arrangements in honor of her mother's jersey number with Hanes.
The 1951 title was the first of three straight for Hanes and came as part of a then-record 102-game winning streak. Evelyn "Eckie" Jordan, a five-time All-American, and the late Eunies "Eunie" Futch were the only two to play in each of the 102 games.
"Hanes was a wonderful place to work and play," said Jordan, who was given a cake and serenaded with "Happy Birthday" to celebrate her 86th birthday. "I enjoyed everything I ever did with Hanes. It was a wonderful group of girls."
Among the more than 32 in attendance that included husbands, relatives and friends was Molly Weeks Johnson, the daughter of Jim Weeks, who was the president of Hanes for 40 years and started the women's athletic program in 1945.
"You were 'his girls,'" Johnson told the players. "He would have followed you to the end of the world. He loved all of you."
Fagg, an All-American in 1949 and 1951 who left Hanes after the first AAU title to start her family, told Johnson that her father "gave us all the tools we needed to be champions." Fagg was honored by the nearby town of Kernersville with "Jackie Swaim Fagg Day" on the same day as the reunion.
The other players at the reunion were Ruth Phelps Bingham, Reda Jurney, Jennie Morris Pegram, Cornelia Lineberry Vaughn and Martha Mason Brown, who played just the 1947-48 season. "I had something on my shoulder called Cupid," Brown joked.
In addition, Jean Joyce, who was a teammate with several of the basketball players on the Hanes softball team in 1954, attended.
Among the special guests was Copey Hanes, 93, the wife of the late James Gordon Hanes Jr., whose grandfather John W. Hanes started Hanes Hosiery.
After a group picture was taken and the final hugs given, it was time to look ahead. After all, there was a burning question on the players' minds: "When will the reunion be held next year, Tex?" |
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Inductee News
Congratulations to Tara VanDerveer (Class of 2002) for receiving the Phyllis Bailey Career Achievement Award from Ohio State's Varsity "O" Women's Alumnae Society as part of the school's Hall of Fame Induction Weekend.
Debbie Ryan (Class of 2008) has been chosen as one of this year's recipients for the Lapchick Character Award. She will join Pat Summitt, Jody Conradt, and Kay Yow as former Hall of Fame inductees to receive this award.
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Fall 2011 Interns
 Interns at the WBHOF are a major contributor to our daily operations. They assist in all areas from archives to special events, while gaining real-world experience.
We would like to welcome our new interns for the fall semester, Emily Canady and Will Parsons, both seniors at the University of Tennessee. Emily, from Nashville, TN, is studying management and entrepreneurship collateral. Will is earning his degree in advertising, and is from Collierville, TN.
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Full Court Pressure
Debbie Antonelli's Full-Court Pressure is now available at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame! The trivia game is a must have for any women's basketball enthusiast. Proceeds benefit the WBHOF and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
Think you have what it takes? Order your copy on our website or visit Trophies, the official gift shop of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. |
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KTown Adventure Pass
 Live in the Knoxville area or coming to visit? Don't miss the opportunity to see four of Knoxville's best attractions with the KTown Adventure Pass. The pass gives you access to the Tennessee Riverboat, Zuma Fun Center, Circle G Ranch, and the WBHOF.
You can purchase your pass for $28.00, a 60% discount on standard admission rates! Order your pass on our website or visit Trophies, the official gift shop of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. |
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