Sports
Players from the first all-black women’s basketball team reflect on making history in 1984
The 12 months 1984 was stuffed with many firsts in women’s basketball. It was a 12 months in which we got a glimpse into the way forward for the game’s evolution, a 12 months stuffed with special recognition.
West Virginia Center Georgeann Wells became the first woman to dunk a basketball in a school game, in which Bertha Teague, Margaret Wade and Senda Berenson Abbott became the first women inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. The U.S. women’s Olympic team won its first gold medal. A rule change in the NCAA reduced the diameter of the basketball by one inch (to twenty-eight.5–29 inches) and made it two ounces lighter than the previous ball and 1 to 1.5 inches smaller than the ball utilized by men.
More than a decade before the WNBA, the United States Women’s Basketball Association debuted in 1996, but it surely was short-lived, like many other skilled women’s basketball leagues. The USC women’s team became the first team to win a second straight NCAA championship.
But the face – or faces – of women’s college basketball also modified 40 years ago when the Kodak All-America team was announced. For the first time since Women’s Basketball Coaches Association began selection in 1975, all 10 players on the 1984 squad were black. An all-Black team from across America wouldn’t be repeated for 22 years. This only happened 4 times (1984, 2006, 2007, 2008).
Five women from the 1984 team were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and one was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Three players won gold medals for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics, and one All-American played at a historically black university.
Here’s an oral history of the women who were a part of this All-American women’s basketball team’s historic moment.
Kyle Grantham for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Cheryl Miller, sophomore forward, USC
At the time, this topic (about the racial makeup of the team) never got here up. The one thing that basically stands out is how much we had in common outside of basketball and we were not adversaries. It gave us a probability to bond and develop some type of friendship with one another.
It’s shocking to know that we were the first because I can consider several other situations where this might have happened. However, I’m astonished to learn of a 22-year hiatus before one other all-Black American team. It’s amazing because when you consider all the great black women who’ve played, like Sheryl Swoopes, Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker. . . I just think the difference could be closer. And there isn’t a disrespect to the white players who were drafted. I’m just surprised it took one other 22 years the second time around.
Pam McGee, senior, center/forward, USC
This signifies that we were pioneers and strived to interrupt down barriers. This was necessary because we were amongst the first women and African-Americans to receive full-ride scholarships under Title IX. It was one other example of what I really like about sports and the way it transcends race. If you are a ballista, you are a ballista. It’s about who can put it between those black lines. . . That’s why we didn’t get sucked into being an all-Black team. We just knew we had settled in as an All-American.
UNC athletics
Tresa Brown, senior, forward, North Carolina
We first noticed (the band was all black) once we all gathered for a bunch photo. I used to be like, hey, wait a minute, we’re all black women. But we didn’t meet and sit down and speak about it. It might need been the era we were in at the time, so we didn’t really speak about it, but possibly we didn’t speak about it because the whole lot that was happening that week was latest and exciting.
I wish we could have gotten together so we could all spend time catching up and higher understanding the history we created during that point. Janice Lawrence was my roommate this week and I actually have kept in touch along with her over the past 12 months. . . It’s hard to imagine it has been 40 years already.
Photo by Bob Bryant/AP
Janet Harris, junior, forward, Georgia
I actually have a photograph of the team on my phone and I have a look at it from time to time. This team, wow. We had an amazing time this week in Los Angeles. When we modified and took photos, we said, OK, because we noticed that the entire team was black, but we didn’t realize the scale of it or realize that we were the first. I actually didn’t know we were the first all-black team in America until (Georgia teammate Teresa Edwards) told me just a few days ago.
It was one in all the best teams in America. We had three Olympians (Cheryl Miller, Pam McGee and Janice Lawrence). Unlike many modern players, everyone was tall and will play multiple positions. Everyone was versatile. We played. We would maintain it.
Annette Smith, junior, center, Texas
It was a tremendous team and I remember talking to Annette about how I used to be the smallest player in the group. But in terms of making the All-America team, it was significant because I suppose not everyone picking the team was black, and for them to say that these were the best players no matter race might have been a really difficult decision. The second thing I assumed was that it was obvious that the team needed to be all Black. I’d prefer to think it was a good shake and these were the best players.
Becky Jackson, senior, center, Auburn
I remember how all of us got along and had a number of fun that week. It was full of events and time spent at the amusement park. Some of the players I already knew, but a few of the other players were great to fulfill for the first time. We’ve all noticed with regards to the makeup of the team. We thought, “Girl, look at us, we’re all black.” I used to be proud after I saw our photo in a magazine. Being the first all-Black All-American team meant that we were appreciated as players and it felt good to be on this All-American team with all Black women.
Cheney University Athletics
Yolanda Laney, senior, point guard/shooter, Cheyney State
The first thing I assumed was that this team was all Black, after which I assumed it was a very tough All-American class, especially since Janice Lawrence was on the team. I watched the video and was very impressed along with her because she was a troublesome competitor and hit the ball off the backboard like my favorite player George Gervin.
I also knew it was a historic moment since it was the first time being all-black. The funny thing is, even once we were sitting at dinner or eating lunch, it didn’t dawn on me until we took this photo. While they were taking photos, I turned to Marilyn (Stephens) and asked if she realized the band was all Black. Everyone began looking around and nodding, saying, “You’re right.”
The right players were picked for his or her collected talent and it was something where politics didn’t play a job like in other times when politics can play an unpleasant part in something. Looking at each player’s stats and accomplishments individually and what they did for his or her schools this 12 months, it meant we were fully deserving of being named an All-American.
Janice Lawrence, center, senior, Louisiana Tech
Tresa (Brown) and I actually have been friends without end. We talked recently about (the 1984 All-American team) and the way we didn’t take into consideration the history or that it was an enormous deal. I remember bits and pieces of the experience, but I do not remember the details like she does. When I have a look at this photo, I’m glad to be an element of it because all these girls were superstars. To have this collective group of ladies who didn’t even know they were making history but were an element of it’s an amazing thing.
It could be improbable if we could all get back together. I played with Janet Harris and Becky Jackson in Italy. It could be great fun to fulfill all of us. If we could get ourselves and all the other Black All-America teams together, that will be improbable.
temple athletics
Marilyn Stephens, forward, senior, Temple
. Stephens is a member of the Big Five Hall of Fame and the Temple Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2013, she was also named an inaugural A-10 Women’s Basketball Legend.
When all of us arrived at the hotel lobby and gathered in our uniforms for the photo session, all of us just checked out one another. We all had the same look of pleasure and said, “I can’t believe it.” We had 10 of the best players in the country and we’re all black girls. And we were all 6 feet and taller. We were an enormous team.
The All-America team means it wasn’t a racial issue for voters. It was about talent and I’m glad we’re all considered pioneers because we’re the first.
Being a member of this All-American team was special because I sat right next to my friend Yolanda and we represented Philadelphia. The indisputable fact that we were all African American was also special.
I teach highschool, and our All-America photo was on display for Black History Month.
LSU athletics
Joyce Walker, guard, senior, LSU
I immediately noticed that everybody looked similar to me. We were all women of color and that struck me, at the same time as a young woman. My previous memories of the All-American team were of a combination of white and black athletes, but this time we were all the same color.
It wasn’t until later that I spotted the significance of it, but then I assumed, “wow, has something like this ever happened?” And I didn’t give it some thought again until someone brought it to my attention years later and jogged my memory that it had never happened before.
As I met various members of this team over the years, we talked about how competitive the team was. We felt we did thoroughly. . . But I didn’t realize what an impact it could have until a few years later when people began sending me photos and through Black History month, certain things began popping up that I had posted somewhere, and that is after I said, “Yes, it has some significance.”
Featured
Tyreek Hill breaks silence after disturbing footage shows him attacked by Miami police ahead of explosive season opener
On Sunday, Sept. 8, just hours after being aggressively detained by Miami-Dade police, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill scored his first points of the 2024 NFL season, catching an 80-yard touchdown within the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
After running 54 yards after the catch, what ESPN reports that it’s the longest point scored in his NFL profession, Hill’s touchdown pass caused as much confusion because the career-defining rating. After the play, Hill, with the assistance of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, stood in the long run zone along with his hands behind his back, allowing Waddle to carry them back as if Hill was “under arrest.”
@TheBestCelly the report called the moment “probably the best celebration I’ve ever seen,” One said user He said, “He will definitely be fined for that.”
One X user supported Hill’s big “FU” towards the police.
Hill’s eventful day began earlier that morning when he was stopped by Miami-Dade police as he headed to Hard Rock Stadium hours before the sport.
Footage circulated on social media showing the NFL star being forcibly placed face down on the sidewalk and aggressively handcuffed by members of the Miami-Dade Police Department near the stadium. One officer was seen along with his knee in Hill’s back, angering many fans who watched the disturbing clip.
Another photo shows officers punching Hill before he falls to the curb.
“This officer apparently hit a handcuffed (and compliant) Tyreek Hill multiple times. On a busy Miami street in the middle of the day. Unacceptable. Fire this idiot,” user X wrote, sharing the video clip.
“This is absolutely DISGUSTING behavior by @MiamiPD” he said one other fan. “This cop decides to KICK and HURT #Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill while he was cooperating and just sitting on the ground.”
USA today reported that the daddy of 10 was initially detained in reference to a “road accident.” Later, ESPN Jeff Darlington posted on X, stating that his sources cited dangerous driving as the explanation police pulled Hill over. Hill then got right into a verbal altercation with police, was handcuffed and beaten before he was eventually released with a ticket.
Many other athletes and celebrities also expressed their support via social media.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III shared his thoughts on the situation. “Tyreek Hill should not have been forcibly taken to the ground, handcuffed and treated so aggressively for a minor traffic violation before entering the stadium before the game. Period.”
Sports Analyst and Host Stephen A. Smith called the aggressive force on Hill in comparison with what happened to golfer Scottie Scheffler during his arrest in May. “Check it out for yourself. It’s bullshit. It’s completely unnecessary. And by the way… I know the Scottie Scheffler incident happened in Georgia — not Florida — and he was arrested, detained, booked. And I know we don’t know all the details, blah… blah… blah! But he wasn’t lying face down in handcuffs? And then he was forcibly placed in the seat by the officers a second time. No! This story won’t go away — and it doesn’t have to go away.”
During a post-game press conference, Hill shared his recollection of the events. When asked what led as much as the incident, Hill told the press, “I really don’t know. I’m still trying to piece it all together right now.”
He added: “I wasn’t naughty because my mom didn’t raise me that way, she didn’t swear, she didn’t do anything like that. Like I said, I’m still trying to figure it out.”
According to Hill, it was necessary to make use of his platform to make clear the horrific incident because not everyone seems to be as fortunate. “I want to use my platform to say, what if I wasn’t Tyreek Hill? Worst-case scenario,” he said, before calling the officers who beat him “black sheep.”
Miami defensive end Calais Campbell, who was also on the scene, revealed that he was detained while attempting to deescalate the situation between police and Hill.
“I saw Tyreek in handcuffs. Excessive force. The officer felt the need to put handcuffs on me. They said I disobeyed a direct order,” Campbell told the Palm Beach Post Joe Schad.
Campbell told NFL Network that he was just as confused as Hill when the incident occurred. “They handcuffed me too, and I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ I didn’t understand what was going on,” he said. “The fact that he handcuffed me made me feel weird.”
CNN reports that the Miami-Dade police officer who stopped Hill has since been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation into the matter. Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said an investigation has been opened into the matter
“Following the incident involving Tyreek Hill, I initiated an internal affairs investigation to ensure a thorough investigation. One of the officers involved in the incident has been placed in an administrative position while the investigation continues,” Miami-Dade Police Department Director Stephanie V. Daniels said in an announcement Sunday. “I am committed to transparency and accountability to the community in every situation involving my officers.”
Sports
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams opens NFL career with victory and support from Lincoln Riley
Star black quarterbacks are not any longer the exception, they’re the rule. Throughout the football season, this series will explore the importance and influence of black quarterbacks from the grassroots level to the NFL.
CHICAGO – USC coach Lincoln Riley once more took time through the first week of the NFL season to observe the primary game of a rookie quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in college and was drafted first overall.
Riley, who has mentored three quarterbacks who’ve won the honors, enjoys rooting for his guys.
On Sunday afternoon, Riley watched his newest protégé begin a brand new journey, watching quarterback Caleb Williams lead the Chicago Bears to 24-17 victory over the Tennessee Titans at Soldier Field.
Williams, Chicago’s first-round select of USC in April’s NFL draft, didn’t have an ideal debut statistically. In fact, he accomplished just 14 passes on 29 attempts for 93 yards passing — a median of a paltry 3.2 yards per attempt — and no touchdowns. Williams, a productive college runner, had just 15 rushing yards.
“Obviously, we didn’t play the way we wanted to (offensively). We want to be the most efficient team, and so do I. We didn’t play the way I wanted to,” Williams said. “I missed a couple of passes that I don’t normally miss. … I have to be better. I’ll be better.”
Above all, though, point guards are judged on the success of their group. Despite Williams’ rough opening performance, his teammates lifted him up, rallying from a 17-point deficit within the second quarter.
Chicago returned a blocked punt for a touchdown and an interception for a touchdown. The Bears combined for 3 turnovers within the fourth quarter because the Titans faltered, allowing the Bears to go away the sector satisfied despite struggles on offense as Williams tried to search out his way.
“I don’t care about the stats. I feel great (about the win),” Williams said. “The stats aren’t where I want them to be. I want to go out there and play my best. I didn’t do that today. We’re going to be better.”
No matter what additional challenges Williams will face as a rookie – and there will probably be more – he is not going to quit, Riley said.
“With all the attention and everything that’s on him, being the first pick, and being in the city of Chicago, you want someone who’s not going to be afraid of that,” Riley told Andscape. “He definitely won’t do that.”
Quinn Harris/Getty Images
With Williams on the helm, Riley is confident the Bears can have many great days ahead. And few know Williams higher than the person who coached him for all three of his college seasons.
While Riley was coaching at Oklahoma, he convinced Williams, a former standout at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C., to sign with the Sooners. After Riley unexpectedly left Oklahoma to take the identical position at USC in 2022, Williams soon joined the Trojans.
Under Riley’s tutelage, Williams won the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. The Bears entered the 2024 NFL Draft with Williams as the highest pick. Now, Williams continues to meet his dream of becoming an NFL superstar and a Super Bowl champion.
Riley is admittedly biased. He has established that, he is definite Williams is headed where he desires to be. How quickly Williams gets there, Riley said, will rely on how quickly he adapts to the trials of playing a very powerful position in top-level football.
“He definitely made progress (from his freshman to his third season), he worked hard and it showed,” said Riley, who leads the nation’s Thirteenth-ranked team.
“And he’d be the primary to let you know that he’s just going to need to proceed to grow, especially as he adjusts to the NFL, and he continues to grow as a player and face different challenges. I mean, teams played him somewhat in a different way last yr than they did the primary few years. You know that is going to proceed to occur. People are all the time going to attempt to evolve the best way they attack.
“They’re not going to just sit there and let you beat them up, game by game, and not try new things. You better be ready to adapt. That’s going to be part of his development. But it’s not going to be a surprise to him. He definitely sees it. And he’s still a student of the game. He’s studying the game and learning. He knows that’s going to be a big part of it. He knows that’s definitely going to be a critical factor in his success. He knows he’s got to continue to be able to move the ball and win games.”
Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
Among college coaches, Riley is unrivaled in his ability to provide star quarterbacks in American football.
While at Oklahoma, he mentored Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, who each won Heisman Trophies and were the highest picks of their draft classes. Additionally, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was a Heisman Trophy finalist while playing for Oklahoma after transferring from Alabama.
In the NFL, Mayfield finished second in AP Rookie of the Year voting. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the primary time last season. AP voters selected Murray because the offensive rookie of the yr, and he’s a two-time Pro Bowl player. Hurts led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl appearance and finished second in AP Rookie of the Year voting.
At first glance, Williams has loads in common with the opposite members of Riley’s quarterback club. But upon closer inspection, Williams is entering the NFL a bit in a different way than his predecessors, who were conductors in Riley’s system.
“One thing is he just played a lot less football than the other guys,” Riley said. “Those guys were older at the tip of their (college) careers. All those guys could have played full highschool careers. Caleb missed his senior yr due to COVID.
“These guys were a little further along. They’ve just seen more, experienced a little more, played a little more. And when you play the ball a little more, you see more from a talent perspective. But he’s right up there with any of them in terms of his ability. He’s a really special talent.”
While he’s not one to make specific predictions about how Williams will fare within the league, Riley is confident the Bears will proceed to get one of the best out of Williams every day.
“He keeps asking himself what can I do better to be better next time. Then he puts in the work to be better,” Riley said. “If they (Bears) can put the right players around him and really get him settled, he’ll start to improve.”
And Riley would love to search out some TV time to observe it.
The Ebony Ladies Golf League is devoted to its mission of growing and diversifying the sport of golf. President Tracy Raoul recently he said CBS News reported that their goal is to proceed welcoming recent members to this inspiring community.
The organization celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in March, marking one other 12 months of encouraging women of color to play golf. Raoul, who has been president since 2021, said that while golf can seem intimidating to newcomers, their Chicago-based group is concentrated on breaking down those barriers and helping more women tackle golf with confidence.
She explained: “Golf is a great sport. It’s great physically. It’s a mental game. You have to know how to let go of that bad shot and move on to the next one.”
Raoul proudly told the website about the recent increase in recent members of the Ebony Ladies Golf League from 2022 – from 46 ladies to 81 members in total.
“A lot of them have never picked up a golf club. I want to grow the game and see more African-American women playing the game.”
Back in the early twentieth century, there was an amazing demand for women of color in the game of golf.
“African Americans were not allowed to play the game back then,” Raoul said. She continued: “They could be caddies, and if they did play, unfortunately they had to play with poor materials and equipment.”
She added: “Walter Speedy and his three gentlemen sued the Park District because they couldn’t play on the public golf course, Jackson Park. So they sued and won. In 1910, these gentlemen started playing.”
It took an extended time for women to have a spot on the golf course, and it took even longer for women of color to play. Fortunately, Raoul said she sees a trend of more young golfers bringing in black girls and boys, which she is optimistic will help diversify way forward for the game.
The Ebony Ladies Golf League approached CBS about accepting more members and provided some advice to its founders and members.
Member Eleanor Fox said: “If you want to play golf, play golf. You can do anything our colleagues can do, and sometimes we can do it better.”
Another member, Kathy Davis, added, “I’ll say, ‘Yes you can, and we (Ebony Ladies Golf League) are here to help you.'”
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