Nov. 16, 2003
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.-The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame will announce its sixth group of inductees, the Class of 2004, on Sunday, November 16.
The six members of the Class of 2004 are:
SYLVIA HATCHELL: University of North Carolina coach carries a 630-255 record into her 29th season in the collegiate ranks, including an NCAA championship with the Tar Heels in 1994 as well as an AIAW title in 1982 and an NAIA crown in 1986 with Francis Marion
LURLYNE GREER ROGERS: An eight-time AAU All-American and three-time MVP of the national tournament, playing with Cook's Goldblumes and Hanes Hosiery, was also captain of the USA's first Pan American team, which claimed a gold medal in 1955
AMY RULEY: North Dakota State University coach enters her 25th season as the Bison leader with a 581-151 ledger that includes five NCAA Division II national championships, 19 national playoff appearances, and nine North Central Conference titles
BEV SMITH: A member of three Olympic teams, representing Canada as a player in 1984 and 1996 and as a coach in 2000, now coaches at the University of Oregon, her alma mater, where she was a two-time Kodak All-American
WILLIAM L. "BILL" WALL: First executive director of USA Basketball (formerly ABAUSA) was a driving force behind the USA's success in Olympics and other international competitions during his 18-year tenure (1975-1992) with the national governing body
MARIAN E. WASHINGTON: Coaching veteran begins her 31st year at the helm of the University of Kansas women's basketball program with a 551-347 worksheet that includes seven conference titles and 16 postseason appearances in national tourneys.
"This is another distinguished class of inductees into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame," said Jody Conradt, University of Texas women's basketball coach, president of the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors, and herself a Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductee in 1999. "This is a great mix of people who have been so integral to the growth of women's basketball at all levels-in the AAU ranks, in Division I and Division II basketball, and in USA Basketball and international competition."
In what has become essentially a tradition, the Class of 2004 will be announced in conjunction with the State Farm Women's Tip-Off Classic, an event, which directly benefits the Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame's inaugural class of inductees were announced during the 1998 Tip-Off Classic at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and this year's Tip-Off Classic will also be played at Purdue. This year's Tip-Off Classic field features Duke and Texas in the first game with Kansas State taking on Purdue in the second game of the doubleheader. Both games will be televised by ESPN2 with tipoffs set for 2:30 p.m. and approximately 5:00 p.m. EST, respectively. The announcement of the Class of 2004 is scheduled for center court at Purdue's Mackey Arena at halftime of the second game (approximately 6:00 p.m.).
The individuals in the Class of 2004 will be formally enshrined as members of the Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies scheduled to be held Friday and Saturday, June 11-12, 2004, in Knoxville.
With the addition of the Class of 2004, the list of Women's Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will increase to 79.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. 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.
In order to be considered for selection for induction, an individual must meet the following prerequisites:
* Player: Must be retired from the highest level of play for at least five years.
* Coach: Must have coached the women's game at least 20 years.
* Referee: Must have officiated the women's game at least 10 years.
* Contributor: Must have significantly impacted the game of women's basketball.
The mission of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, which opened in June 1999, is to "honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future" of women's basketball.
MARIAN E. WASHINGTON BIO
* Enters her 31st season as the women's basketball coach at the University of Kansas with a career record of 551-347.
* Has guided Kansas to 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet 16 twice, as well as two WNIT showings and three AIAW Sectional finishes while reaching the 20-win plateau 17 times and claiming seven league titles and six conference tournament championships.
* Served as an assistant coach for the USA's gold medal-winning Olympic team in 1996, becoming the first African-American to coach on a U.S. Olympic women's basketball staff.
* Became the first African-American woman to coach a U.S. team in international competition when she guided the U.S. Select Team to a 7-1 record and a silver medal at the R. William Jones Cup in Taiwan in 1982.
* Named conference coach of the year three times, receiving Big Eight Coach of the Year recognition in 1992 and 1996 and Big 12 Coach of the Year honors in 1997.
* Received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Black Coaches Association in 2003.
* Was the first female to serve as president of the Black Coaches Association as well as the first individual to serve consecutive terms as president of the organization.
* Played collegiately at West Chester State University, helping lead her team to the first-ever national title for women's college basketball.
* Was also a two-time AAU All-American.
* Was the first of two African-American women to compete internationally, representing the United States at the 1971 World Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
* Served as the first and only Athletics Director for Women's Athletics at the University of Kansas (1974-79).
* Currently serves on the board of directors of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.