Class of 2004 – Women's Basketball Hall of Fame

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Marian E. Washington

Posted a 560-363 ledger in 31 seasons as the women’s basketball coach at the University of Kansas
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 as well as being tabbed as Coach of the Year by the BCA in both 1992 and 1996
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)

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William L. Wall

Named as the first executive director of the Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America in 1975
Served as executive director of USA Basketball (formerly ABAUSA) for 18 years (1975-1992) and was a driving force behind the USA’s success in Olympics and other international competitions, taking an active role in the organization and preparation of U.S. teams
USA won numerous medals and titles during his tenure, including two Olympic gold medals, three World Championship titles, and three Pan American Game gold medals in women’s basketball as well as three gold medals in both the Olympics and the Pan American Games in men’s basketball
Headed the host organization for numerous competitions held in the United States, including the first COPABA Junior Women’s Tourney in 1977 and the first FIBA World Championship for Junior Women in 1985 as well as the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, and the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle
Served on the U.S. Olympic Committee Executive Committee (1984-88), the COPABA (Pan American Basketball Confederation) Executive Committee (1983-91), and the FIBA Eligibility Committee (1984-91)
Received the Edward S. Steitz Award for his contributions to international officiating and rules making and an Outstanding Contribution Award from the Atlanta Tip-Off Club as well as the FIBA Order of Merit

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Bev Smith

A two-time Canadian Olympian (1984 in Los Angeles and 1996 in Atlanta)
Played on Canadian National Teams, beginning with the junior national squad in 1977, until her retirement in 1996
Named to the FIBA All-World Team after helping the Canadian Team claim the bronze medal at the 1979 World Championship in Seoul, Korea
Also garnered a bronze medal at the 1986 World Championship in Moscow, Russia
Coached the 2000 Canadian Olympic Team to a 10th-place finish in Sydney after guiding the Canadian National Team to its best-ever showing at the 1999 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, where they earned a silver medal
Played and coached internationally in Italy for 15 years for teams from Vicenza and Ferrara
A two-time Kodak All-American and GTE Academic All-American during her collegiate career at the University of Oregon
Currently serves as the head women’s basketball coach at her alma mater, the University of Oregon

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Amy Ruley

Has posted a 605-158 worksheet in 25 seasons as the head coach at North Dakota State University
Has directed the Bison to five NCAA Division II national championships, including four straight (1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, and 1996)
Has led NDSU to 20 national playoff appearances, including nine berths in the NCAA Final Four
Under her direction, Bison have won or shared 10 North Central Conference championships
Has received Coach of the Year accolades 28 times on the state, regional, or national level from eight different media, coaching, or national organizations
Accolades include being named as the first recipient of the C. Vivian Stringer Women’s Coaching Award from the United States Sports Academy and as the NCAA Division II Coach of the Year by the American Women’s Sports Federation in 1986 and 1991 and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association in 1993
Was the head coach of the gold medalist South squad at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival and an assistant coach for the USA squad that claimed the silver medal at the R. William Jones Cup in Taiwan in 1995
Has served on USA Basketball’s Select Team Committee, the NCAA Basketball Rules Committee, and the WBCA Board of Directors
Played collegiately at Purdue University where she was the starting point guard on the Boilermakers’ first intercollegiate team in 1975-76

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Lurlyne Greer Rogers

An eight-time AAU All-American (1947-1954)
Selected as Most Valuable Player at AAU National Championships three times (1952, 1953, 1954)
Played on national championship teams with both Cook’s Goldblumes (1948 and 1949) and Hanes Hosiery (1952 and 1953)
Captain of USA squad that captured gold medal at 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City, marking the first time that women’s basketball was included in that event
Averaged 18.3 ppg in the Pan American Games and set USA records for most points in a single game (30) and tournament (128)
Also established marks for free throws made (13), free throws attempted (23), and free throw percentage (9-9 for 1.000) in a single game in the Pan American Games
Received the Lewis E. Teague Award as the most outstanding amateur athlete in the Carolinas in 1952
Played professionally with Hazel Walker’s Arkansas Travelers upon the conclusion of her amateur career

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Sylvia Hatchell

Has compiled a career record of 654-262 in 29 seasons as a collegiate head coach
Overall record includes a 382-182 worksheet in 18 seasons at the University of North Carolina and a 272-80 ledger in 11 seasons at Francis Marion
Guided North Carolina to an NCAA National Championship in 1994
Also directed Francis Marion to a pair of national championships—an AIAW small college championship in 1982 and an NAIA championship in 1986—making her the only women’s basketball coach to lead teams to AIAW, NAIA, and NCAA titles
Has led the Tar Heels to 12 NCAA Tournament appearances and four Atlantic Coast Conference championships
Has extensive international coaching experience, leading the USA to a gold medal in the R. William Jones Cup in 1994 and a silver medal at the World University Games in 1995
Also served as an assistant coach for USA teams that claimed gold medals at the 1988 Olympics, the 1986 Goodwill Games and World Championships, and the 1983 World University Games as well as a silver medal at the 1985 World University Games
Coached the South Team to the gold medal at the 1982 U.S. Olympic Festival
Served as president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) during the 1996-97 academic year

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