A history of women’s basketball
Editor's note: Expectations are high for the UO Women’s Basketball team. With the start of the 2021-22 season, the women dominated the court in their first exhibition match against Saint Martins. The Lady Ducks brought home a win at Matthew Knight Arena with a final score of 93 – 26.
Gaining even more momentum, it was recently announced that four players from the Ducks impressive roster—sophomore guard Te-Hina Paopao, junior guard Endyia Rogers, and junior forwards Nyara Sabally and Sedona Prince—were selected for Pac-12's preseason all-conference team.
As fans across the country are looking at the Lady Ducks, we take a moment to look at the history of women’s basketball at the UO – and how it all started almost 130 years ago.
This article was originally published in Unbound, a blog featuring news and updates about collections, discoveries, exhibitions, and public programs of the University of Oregon Special Collections & University Archives.
1894
The history of UO women’s basketball extends back to the 1894-1895 school year, when students competed infrequently on interclass teams.
Sophomore class team, 1894-1895 [UO Athletics Photographs, A_ATHBBW_1890_1910_0002jc]
1900s–1920s
The formation of the Women’s Athletic Association in 1913 provided organized opportunities for students to engage in athletic competitions at the interclass, inter-sorority, intramural and varsity levels. For example, in 1920, there was an interclass basketball game to fundraise for Gerlinger Hall, a building to be dedicated space for women’s physical education.
The 1922 Oregana recounts when the varsity team met the team from OAC (Oregon State University), and won with a score of 27-19. Charlotte Howells, a junior, played forward in the game. Her yearbook profile states that “when it comes to running up basketball scores — she is the despair of opposing teams.” (p. 106).
In the interclass championship of the same year, the seniors beat the juniors in overtime and earned their name engraved on the Hayward Cup. Despite the loss, junior Helen McCormick’s skill did not go unnoticed. The yearbook staff said McCormick “flings a wicked shoulder when it comes to basketball.” (p. 115).
Class of 1923 Team [UO Athletics Photographs, A_ATHBBW_1920s_0004jc]
1950s–1970s
The Women’s Recreation Association (WRA), created in 1951, served as the successor of the Women’s Athletic Association. In 1966, the Northwest College Women’s Extramural Association (NCWEA) provided standardization for women’s regional intercollegiate contests, and the 1971 formation of the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) created framework for national championships. Women’s basketball games were held in Gerlinger Gymnasium and in Gerlinger Annex.
After the passage of Title IX in 1972, the opportunities for women’s athletic grew under the leadership of Becky Sisley (Women’s Athletic Director). In 1973, the Women’s Intercollegiate Association (WIA) was formed as a separate entity from the WRA. Beginning with Jane Spearing, seven coaches progressively led the team to conference, regional and national successes.
The program took flight with players such as Bev Smith, Debbie Adams, Alison Lang, and Jenny Mowe. During that time span, women’s basketball moved to McArthur Court.
Game at Gerlinger, 1970s [UA Ref 3, University Archives Photographs, UARef3_b010_f005_075]
1980s–1990s
The women’s basketball team found success, qualifying for the NCAA Championship Tournament six out of 10 years. The basketball team was also won the Pac-10 Championship two seasons in a row (1998–1999; 1999–2000).
Bev Smith (#24) and Alison Lang (#52), 1981
[Brent Wohjahn, UO Athletics Photographs, A_ATHBBW_1980s_1990s_0020jc]
2000's
Bridging the gap between tradition and evolution, the early 2000s kicked off with the return of Oregon’s legendary basketball star Bev Smith, this time as the women’s head coach. Smith helped guide the team to the 2002 WNIT Championship and to the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Flowing with talent, the teams had numerous individual stars including five WNBA draftees: Catherine Kraayeveld (2005), Shaquala Williams (2003), Edniesha Curry (2002), Jenny Mowe (2001), and Angelina Wolvert (2001). Additional WNBA picks included Amanda Johnson (2012), Jillian Alleyne (2016), and Maite Cazorla (2019).
As the second half of the decade begins, the women’s basketball team continues to undergo change, building upon the rich tradition of the past in pursuit of a leading presence in the national arena for the future. In 2020, star players Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally and Ruthy Hebard were WNBA first round draft picks, continuing the strong legacy of Ducks moving into professional sports.
Color photo of University of Oregon basketball player Ruthy hebard (#24) putting up a shot in the paint during a game against Oregon State on January 24, 2020 at Matthew Knight Arena. The Ducks won the game 76-64.Credit: Harvey, Paul W., IV
- By UO Special Collections and University Archives staff
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