Smith Inducted into Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ? University of Oregon women’s basketball coach Bev Smith was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame along with six others who contributed to the game’s advancement.
Smith was enshrined into the sixth class along with Sylvia Hatchell, Lurlyne Greer Rogers, Amy Ruly, William L. Wall and Marian Washington. Smith, who holds eight school records from her four-year Oregon career, also is a member of the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.
"The University of Oregon is extremely proud to see Bev Smith inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame," Director of Athletics Bill Moos said. "Bev was one of Oregon’s premier athletes and continues to serve as an outstanding ambassador for the University as its head women’s basketball coach. I speak for all of her many fans in extending our congratulations on receiving this prestigious honor."
The members of the Class of 2004 are:
SYLVIA HATCHELL
University of North Carolina coach, who has compiled a 654-262 mark in 29 seasons and has guided both Francis Marion and UNC to national championships and is the only women’s basketball coach to have won national titles in the AIAW, NAIA, and NCAA
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 who has registered a 605-158 record in 25 seasons, leading the Bison to five NCAA Division II national championships, 20 national playoff appearances, and 10 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, Smith coaches at Oregon 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
Recently retired after 31 years at the helm of the University of Kansas women’s basketball program with a 560-363 ledger that included seven conference titles and 16 postseason appearances in national tourneys.
With the addition of the Class of 2004, the list of Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductees increases 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.
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.
More information about the 2004 inductees is available online at by clicking here.
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