Headline News
2012 Induction Weekend
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame will host its 14th annual Induction Weekend June 8-9 in Knoxville, TN. The Class of 2012 will include Nancy Fahey, Nikki McCray, Pamela McGee, Igne Nissen, Robin Roberts, and Dawn Staley. They will join an already prestigious group of inductees to be recognized by the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Click Here for more information about the 2012 Induction Weekend
Click here to view the full Class of 2012 Press Release.
2012 4Kay® Run/Walk
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame is teaming up with the Kay Yow Cancer Fund® and the Knoxville Track Club to host the fourth annual 4Kay® Run/Walk in Knoxville, TN. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame has raised over $10,000 for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund®.
Click Here for more information about the 2012 4Kay® Run/Walk
Remembering Bill Tipps
Bill Tipps of Huntsville, AL passed away Sunday, October 23 at the age of 83. Mr. Tipps was a member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors. He was a longtime volunteer for AAU Girls Basketball and had been Chairman of AAU Girls Basketball for many years. He also served on the Olympic Selection Committee for Women's Basketball. He is survived by one son Randy Tipps, of Winchester, TN, and one daughter, Gail Tipps, of Huntsville, AL; and two brothers and two sisters. Click here to view Bill Tipps' obitiuary in the Tullhoma News.
Pat Summitt diagnosed with early-onset dementia
In a statement from Summitt (Class of 1999) released by the University of Tennessee on Tuesday, August 23, said she visited with doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., after the end of the 2010-11 basketball season and was diagnosed with early-onset dementia.
Coach Summitt, a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and SMI Board and a major influence in the development of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, will have the full support from her Hall of Fame family as she handles this diagnosis.
Quotes for Pat Summitt
“Extremely saddened to know one of the icons in the women’s game struggling with this health issue. We all wish her well. Our thoughts and prayers are with her.” - Muffet McGraw (Class of 2011)
“I was shocked and saddened to hear about the news regarding Pat Summitt’s diagnosis. You don’t necessarily associate dementia with people our age so this announcement really put things in perspective. Pat has great support from her family, friends and staff and I know they will help her immensely. There is no doubt in my mind that Pat will take on this challenge as she has all others during her Hall of Fame career head on. I wish her all the best.” – Geno Auriemma (Class of 2005)
“I’m glad to hear she is going to continue coaching, but it is also time now for her to take care of herself. I know what this will be like and it will not be easy. By the same token, I know Pat well and I know she will attack this like she has attacked everything else in her life. Finding a way to make this a positive is how she will approach it.” – Debbie Ryan (Class of 2008)
“Completely stunned. I’m floored. I’m kind of heartsick about it. I might be one of the few people who live up here in Connecticut who really have a fondness for Pat Summitt. I like her a lot. She’s been nothing but phenomenal with me and I really am heartsick about the news.” – Rebecca Lobo (Class of 2010)
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame venue will be featured in the upcoming book, The New York Times, 36 Hours: 150 Weekends in the USA and Canada. The book will be in stores this fall. The 740-page book includes the Times' top 150 travel destinations, from cities and towns to natural wonders across America. Click here to order your own personal copy.
State Farm Tip-Off Classic
The 2011-12 women's collegiate basketball season was tipped off in style as the Tennessee Lady Vols take defeated Miami Hurricanes 92-76 in the 2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic.
Click here for more information on the State Farm Tip-Off Classic
Click here to view the 2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic Press Release.
Names in the News
Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt (Class of 1999) was inducted into the Tennessee Women's Hall of Fame on June 17, 2011. Summitt was included for induction because of her unparalled contributions to the lives of women and girls throughout the state of Tennessee.
Teresa Edwards
Teresa Edwards (Class of 2010) is the 2010 recipient of the Bill Hartman Award. The Hartman Award is one of the highest honors given to former University of Georgia student-athletes. Edwards will be presented the award at the UGA vs Tennessee football game on 10/9/10.
Cheryl Miller and George Killian
The 2010 FIBA Hall of Fame Class includes two former Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, Cheryl Miller (Class of 1999) and George Killian (Class of 2000). Miller led USC to a 112-20 record and back-to-back NCAA titles in 1983 and 1984. While at USC she amassed 3,018 points and 1,534 rebounds (23.6 ppg, 12.0 rpg). In addition, she guided the United States to gold medals in the 1984 Olympic Games, 1983 Pan American Games, and 1986 Goodwill Games. Killian served as president of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) between 1990-98. He was instrumental in overseeing the birth of the first collegiate women's division in 1975.
Jennifer Azzi
The WBHOF would like to congratulate Jennifer Azzi (Class of 2009) on being named head coach of the University of San Francisco women's basketball team.
Teresa Weatherspoon
Teresa Weatherspoon (Class of 2010) is the recipient of the 2010 Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year Award. In her first season as head coach, Weatherspoon led Louisiana Tech to a 23-9 mark (11-5 in the Western Athletic Conference) and won the WAC Tournament Championship title. Click here to read more about Weatherspoon's honor!
Anne Donovan
On March, 29, it was announced that Anne Donovan (Class of 1999) will be leaving the New York Liberty after the upcoming WNBA season to become the women's basketball coach at Seton Hall. Click here to read more about Donovan's next move!
Geno Auriemma
Geno Auriemma was named the 2009 Naismith Women's College Basketball Coach of the Year and 2009 WBCA National Coach of the Year after leading the Huskies to the National Championship and a perfect 39-0 season.
Auriemma has also recently been named the head coach of the 2012 Olympic Women's Basketball Team.
Jody Conradt
The Jody Conradt Endowed Excellence Fund, named for legendary coach Jody Conradt (Class of 1999), has been established at The University of Texas of Austin to inspire and instruct students on the importance of leadership and equity and to promote faculty research in that area.
Nancy Lieberman
Nancy Lieberman (Class of 1999) will receive the Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award for her charitable work and trailblazing efforts for women’s athletics. She is the first woman to receive the award, which will be given out as part of the third annual Sports, Business and Philanthropy Luncheon on Tuesday, December 8 in NYC.
Bill Wall
Bill Wall (Class of 2004) was recently inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in Kansas City.
Kay Yow
Kay Yow (Class of 2000), was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame's Class of 2009 in Poland last month.
Pat Summitt
Pat Summitt (Class of 1999, WBHOF Board member) made history when the Lady Vols beat Georgia 73-43 on Feb. 5 at Thompson Boling Arena. The win, marked No. 1,000 for Summitt's career, making her the first college coach, in men's or women's basketball, to reach the milestone.
The WBHOF unveiled a special exhibit in the Hall of Honor, "From the Sidelines to the Summitt," to recognized Summitt's 1000th victory. The display contains the outfit that Summitt was wearing in the win (suit, orange blouse and shoes), the game ball, autographed clipboard/newspapers, streamers from the celebration and various other memorabilia from the historical event.
Summitt was named recipient of the 2009 WNBA Inspiring Coach Award, an award that honors coaches who have positively influenced athletes across numerous levels and whose achievements leave an indelible mark on sports as a whole.
Andy Landers/Sylvia Hatchell
Gergia Coach Andy Landers (Class of 2007) and North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell (Class of 2004) both collected their 800th career victories in the month of January. Landers' 800th win came on Jan. 15 when Georgia beat Savannah State 74-28. Hatchell's milestone victory came on Jan. 11 when North Carolina defeated NC State 75-66 (OT). Congratulations to both members of the WBHOF family!
Lurlyne Greer Rogers
Lurlyne Greer Rogers (Class of 2004 inductee) was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 13, 2009 in North Little Rock.
Carolyn Bush Roddy
Carolyn Bush Roddy (WBHOF Board member) was inducted into the Wayland Baptist College Hall of Fame on February 22. Click here for the full release.
