November 27, 2022- The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame announced the finalists to be inducted as the 24th WBHOF Induction Class on November 27, 2022.The members for the Class of 2023 are: Cathy Boswell (Veteran Player), Donna Lopiano (Contributor), Lisa Mattingly (Official), Carolyn Peck (Coach), and Lindsay Whalen (Player).

In addition to the announcement of the Class of 2023, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame announced its recipient for the Trailblazers of the Game Award and its recipient of the For the Love of the Game Award. The 2023 Trailblazer of the Game recipient is the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). The 2023 For the Love of the Game Award goes to the Dust Bowl Girls.

Below is the timeline for the Class of 2023 and two other WBHOF honors: the 2023 For the Love of the Game Award and the 2023 Trailblazers of the Game Award:

• November 27, 2022: Announce the Class of 2023 inductees and 2023 recipients of For the Love of the Game Award and the Trailblazers of the Game Award at halftime of ABC’s broadcast of the Phil Knight invitational championship game.
• March/April 2023: Introduce the induction class of 2023, the 2023 For the Love of the Game Award recipient and the 2023 Trailblazers of the Game Award recipient at media events conducted during the 2023 NCAA Women’s Final Four and Women’s Basketball Coaches Association National Convention (Dallas, Texas).
• April 29, 2023: Induction ceremony in Knoxville, TN for WBHOF Induction Class of 2023 and recognition of the 2023 For the Love the Game Award recipient and the 2023 Trailblazers of the Game Award recipient.

The 2023 Induction will mark the 24th Class of Inductees to be honored by the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999. The Class of 2023 will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving their coveted Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring, on April 29th, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets for the ceremony are on sale now on Ticketmaster.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees serves as the selection committee in determining the individuals to be inducted each year. Voting is based on minimum candidate requirements, which include a record of performance, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women’s basketball.

For more information on the 2023 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Weekend, please visit www.wbhof.com.

Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame – Class of 2023 Inductees

NOTE: The following bio capsules highlight a few major accomplishments and not the comprehensive contributions these individuals have made to women’s basketball.

CATHY BOSWELL (Veteran Player)
• Member of Team USA gold medalists at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles
• Two-time Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Kodak All-American and two-time Wade Trophy finalist
• Career standout at Illinois State University (1980-1983) finishing with 2,005 points and 1,054 rebounds

DONNA LOPIANO (Contributor)
• Chief Executive Officer of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 1992 to 2007…member of Fox Sports “The 10 Most Powerful Women in Sports” list
• Director of Women’s Athletics at The University of Texas from 1975-92…women’s teams won 18 national championships in six different sports, including 1985-86 first undefeated NCAA champion (34-0) in women’s basketball…school hosted the first sold-out NCAA women’s Final Four in 1987
• Member of Texas and Connecticut Women’s Halls of Fame

LISA MATTINGLY (Official)
• 38-year official…officiated in 10 NCAA Women’s Final Four championship games (2001-2007, 2009, 2011, 2014) and seven semifinals (1999, 2000, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018)
• Officiated the WNBA League Championship Series from 2000-07 and the WNBA League Finals from 2002-06
• Recipient of the 2002 Naismith Award as Outstanding Official

CAROLYN PECK (Coach)
• Head coach at Purdue University (1997-99), the Orlando Miracle (1999-01), and the University of Florida (2002-07)
• Purdue’s 1999 NCAA national championship still is the only Big Ten team to win a title in the sport
• Named 1998-99 USBWA Coach of the Year, WBCA Coach of the Year, AP College Basketball Coach of the Year and the Naismith College Coach of the Year

LINDSAY WHALEN (Player)
• In her four years, Minnesota compiled an 80-43 (.650) record, including 72-23 (.758) in her final three seasons (2002, 2003, 2004) … one of only three sophomores in conference history to earn Big Ten Player of the Year honors (2002)
• Four-time WNBA world championship team member (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) …All-WNBA First Team in 2008, 2011, and 2013…five-time WNBA All-Star (2006, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015)
• Two-time Team USA gold medalist in 2012, and 2016 Olympic Games… member of Team USA 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Champions…led Team USA to gold medals at the 2003 FIBA World Championship for Young Women (U21) and 2002 FIBA World Championship for Young Women Qualifying Tournament (U20)

“Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Promote the Future”