Uncategorized – Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

How Dawn Staley Is Uplifting HBCU Women’s Hoops

In college basketball, HBCU teams are often ignored, receiving minimal opportunities to elevate their programs to the next level. Dawn Staley is trying to change that narrative with her legendary platform. Since being hired in 2008, she has built a powerhouse dynasty with the South Carolina Gamecocks. In 2012, Staley was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for her extensive accomplishments as a player.

Staley is persistent in her mission to increase the awareness of lesser-known women’s basketball programs. It is a rarity for national contenders to play on HBCU home courts, however, Staley understands how these games push women’s basketball forward. By scheduling games against HBCU programs, Staley helps ensure the national spotlight recognizes these teams.

For Dawn Staley, the view at the top is better with company. She is using her championship pedigree to empower the entire ecosystem of women’s basketball by intentionally directing attention to the talent embedded in HBCU programs that are commonly overlooked. Staley’s leadership and legacy extend far beyond her impressive win-loss record.

On January 18th, 2026, the Gamecocks traveled to Baltimore to face HBCU Coppin State. While Coppin State did not pull off an upset, the contest boosted their national exposure. The matchup drew in energized fans, with the arena nearly sold out at tipoff. Games like this improve HBCU visibility and encourage competitive balance across the NCAA. Iron sharpens iron, and competing against a team like South Carolina strengthens programs like Coppin State.

Dawn Staley is a true champion, advocating for an equitable and inclusive women’s basketball landscape. As the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame celebrates Black History Month, Staley is a remarkable example of Black excellence. Her legacy serves as a meaningful reminder that true trailblazers forge a path for everyone, not just for themselves.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Founded in 1999, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), located in Knoxville, Tennessee, honors the greatest players, coaches, contributors, and officials in women’s basketball history. The WBHOF is the only facility of its kind, recognizing excellence at all levels of the sport, from high school and collegiate competition to professional and international play. The Hall is home to more than 200 inductees and works to preserve the legacy of women’s basketball through its museum, educational programming, special events, and annual induction ceremony.

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

How Dawn Staley Is Uplifting HBCU Women’s Hoops Read More »

Hart to Retire as Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame President

Uncategorized

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Feb. 4, 2026 – Dana Hart, president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, has announced she is retiring from her full-time position and shift into a consultant role to assist with induction planning and programming while the Hall’s Board of Governors (BOG) initiates the process to select a new leader.

Hart, who has resided in Knoxville for 28 years, started working at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002 and was promoted to president in 2008.

“The Board of Governors of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the citizens of Knox County are proud of Dana’s contributions over more than two decades,” said Michael Strickland, BOG chair and CEO of Bandit Lites in Knoxville. “Her dedication to promoting and celebrating the best of the game is evidenced by the wonderful displays and exhibits that feature over 200 inductees and their achievements.”

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame eight inductees for the Saturday, June 27, 2026, ceremony at the Tennessee Theatre are Candace Parker (Tennessee and WNBA); Elena Delle Donne (Delaware and WNBA); Cheryl Reeve (four-time WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx head coach); Kim Muhl (nine-time NJCAA national champion coach of Kirkwood Community College); Isabelle Fijalkowski (Colorado and French national team); pro basketball television commentator Doris Burke; Amaya Valdemoro (Houston Comets, Spain Olympian); and Clemson’s Barbara Kennedy-Dixon (posthumous honoree).

The inductees will be presented at the 2026 NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four and community activities in Phoenix on April 3-5, 2026.

“It has been my honor to serve as president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and help fulfill the official mission of ‘Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Promote the Future,’ ” Hart said. “So many people have been dedicated to our sport, and its legendary players, coaches and leaders, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible institution for 23 years.

“While I am retiring as president of the Hall, I am staying involved for the Class of 2026 induction ceremony and will assist with the transition to new leadership. My service and dedication to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame have been an important part of my life, and I know the Hall will continue to thrive and shine a spotlight on everything that makes women’s basketball so special.”

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has nearly 30 exhibits, many of which are updated on a regular basis, including the permanent exhibit to honor the late Pat Summitt that opened in 2025.

Hart earned a bachelor’s degree in business with minors in women’s studies and fashion from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, the second-oldest women’s college in the country. Her community service has included active participation for Stephens College Circle of Mentors; Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association board; Knoxville Executive Women’s Association (EWA); Farragut/West Knox Chamber of Commerce; Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association; Knoxville Chapter of the Women Leaders Association; Alzheimer’s Association; and the International Sports Heritage Association, where she served as past president.

“On behalf of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, we thank Dana Hart for 23 years of hard, dedicated work to the Hall,” Chris Plonsky, Board of Trustee Chair, said. “Her stewardship efforts have served inductees, players, coaches, contributors, stakeholders and fans of the sport. Youngsters who tour the Hall visualize their dreams of emulating those who have been appropriately immortalized in the only Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. We appreciate Dana contributing as Hall leaders embark upon completing this staff transition. ”

About the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame

Media Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

Hart to Retire as Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame President Read More »

Unrivaled: A New Era of Off-Season Basketball

Uncategorized

Traveling overseas to play basketball during the offseason is nothing new for WNBA players. Rather than enjoying an off-season with loved ones and restoring their bodies, many players must travel to foreign countries to supplement their salaries. Even the league’s most accomplished players like Sue Bird and Sheryl Swoopes spent years playing in Europe, experiencing competition, fan engagement and higher pay opportunities that were unavailable in the United States.

Cue Unrivaled. An innovative 3 v. 3 league based in Miami that was designed by athletes for athletes. With a player-focused structure, Unrivaled provides WNBA players with a domestic alternative to sharpen their game and sustain financial security during the offseason. Backed by high profile investors such as Giannis Antetokounmpo, Steph Curry, Alex Morgan and Dawn Staley, the league offers its players average salaries of $222,000. Each athlete also receives equity in Unrivaled.

Playing abroad takes a toll on athlete's wellbeing with the international and WNBA seasons often overlapping. There is no downtime to rest or experience life beyond basketball. Addressing this concern head-on, the Unrivaled season spans for just eight weeks. Having a shorter season gives players dedicated time to spend on rest, recovery, and family. Co-founders Naphessa Collier and Breanna Stewart have emphasized a player-centered approach, highlighted by access to state-of-the-art amenities, including recovery rooms, and childcare options.

Unrivaled could change the landscape of women’s basketball forever. With the second season underway, the league has recruited top talent like Paige Bueckers, Chelsea Gray and Kelsey Plum. Teresa Weatherspoon, head coach of Vinyl BC, is an accomplished former player. Her remarkable career earned her an induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2010. The league has an elite competitive foundation for players seeking an alternative to the traditional overseas pipeline. The league is halfway through their second season now, and Unrivaled continues to signal an exciting new era of professional women’s basketball.

Photo Credits to Unrivaled.

About the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

Contact

Zadie Fiveash, Communications Manager

zadie@wbhof.com

865-633-9000 ext 236

Unrivaled: A New Era of Off-Season Basketball Read More »

WBHOF mourns the passing of Uljana Semjonova, Class of 1999.

Uncategorized

Uljana Semojonova, Class of 1999, passed away on January 8, 2026 at the age of 73. A Latvian basketball legend, Semjonova leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in the history of the game.

At 6’9’’, Semjonova kept a dominant presence on the floor. She spent 18 years competing for the Soviet Union national team and never suffered a loss during her international career. She helped lead the Soviet Union to Olympic gold medals in 1976 and 1980 and won the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship ten consecutive times. Across her international and club career, Semjonova is widely regarded as the winningest player in women’s basketball history.

Semjonova’s impact extended far beyond her on-court achievements. She was named Latvia’s most popular athlete 12 times between 1970 and 1985, reflecting her profound influence and admiration at home and abroad. She was also a member of the inaugural class of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999.

To honor her life and legacy, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame will place a memorial wreath at her photo in the Hall of Honor for the next month as we mourn the loss of a truly great player and inductee.

WBHOF mourns the passing of Uljana Semjonova, Class of 1999. Read More »

Mel Greenberg, Class of 2007, Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Women’s Basketball Poll

Uncategorized

Copy of Mel Greenberg Celebrates 50th Anniversary Website (1)

Fifty years ago, a young Mel Greenberg was approached by his boss to start a women’s basketball poll. Then, women’s games were almost never televised on the national platform, and the internet was but a twinkle in Robert Kahn and Vinton Cerf’s eye, making scores and statistics challenging to gather.

Greenberg found a way and is celebrating his 50th anniversary of women’s basketball sports-writing which has led to the current rise in interest in women's basketball that we have seen in the past five years.

In 1976, Mel sought support for the poll. He knew that he needed the greenlight from the Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, a precursor to the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) which would take over in 1982. The blessing did not come right away.

The AIAW sent Greenberg a position paper with a line that stated: “Women should not get involved in newspaper games and things like polls because it will lead to the evils of men’s athletics.”

After some time, Greenberg circled back to the AIAW after talking to coaches. The organization would go on to say that they “were encouraged by what he was doing.”

That was all Mel needed to get the poll up and running. He would set up a network of coaches across the country who would call in their votes every Sunday night.

After the success of his poll, Mel became known as the ‘Guru’ of women’s basketball.

For his contributions in women’s basketball, Mel Greenberg was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as a Contributor in 2007. Greenberg was the first writer to be Inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.

For more information about Mel Greenberg or the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, visit www.wbhof.com.

Mel Greenberg, Class of 2007, Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Women’s Basketball Poll Read More »

Announcement of WBHOF Class of 2026

Uncategorized

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE 2026 INDUCTEES

Four Players, Three Coaches, and One Contributor Highlight 2026 Class

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), the sole institution dedicated to women’s basketball, has officially announced its Class of 2026. This organization honors both national and international contributors to the women’s game.

“We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport,” said WBHOF President Dana Hart. “They exemplify the highest standards in women’s basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game’s historical trajectory.”

The class includes four players:

Delaware and Washington Mystics legend, Elena Delle Donne;
University of Tennessee and WNBA great, Candace Parker; international players, Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro.
Longtime WNBA and Team USA coach, Cheryl Reeve;
36-year Kirkwood Community College head coach and NJCAA Hall of Famer, Kim Muhl.
The class is completed with Doris Burke, a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women’s basketball and a multi-year First-team All-ACC recipient, and Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, a posthumous Veteran honoree.

The Tennessee Theatre will host the induction ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Each Inductee is awarded the Berenson Trophy, sponsored by Smith College, and named in honor of notable Smith College coach Senda Berenson, who is recognized as the “Mother of Women’s Basketball.” Each Inductee will also be presented with a WBHOF Ring, presented by Baron Championship Rings.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the sport’s history, celebrate current achievements, and promote future advancements in the game of women’s basketball.

WBHOF Communications Manager
Zadie Fiveash
1-865-633-9000 ext.236
zadie@wbhof.com

WBHOF President
Dana Hart
1-865-633-9000 ext.225
dhart@wbhof.com

Announcement of WBHOF Class of 2026 Read More »