In a monumental announcement that echoed through the annals of basketball history, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame revealed its awe-inspiring class of 2013. This extraordinary group, headlined by legendary coaches Gary Blair and Jim Foster alongside iconic player Jen Rizzotti, promises to etch their names in the eternal pantheon of the sport’s greatest luminaries.
Blair and Foster: Architects of Greatness
Gary Blair, the mastermind behind Texas A&M’s ascent to the pinnacle of women’s college basketball, stands as a titan among coaches. With over 620 career victories spanning an illustrious 27-year journey, Blair’s induction serves as a testament to his unrelenting pursuit of excellence. His crowning achievement came in 2011 when he guided the Aggies to their first-ever national championship, forever cementing his legacy in the annals of the sport.
Joining Blair in this prestigious class is none other than Jim Foster, a true innovator whose impact reverberates through the very fabric of the game. Foster’s remarkable résumé boasts an astounding 765 career wins, a feat made all the more impressive by his unparalleled ability to transform programs into perennial powerhouses. His tenures at Ohio State, Vanderbilt, and St. Joseph’s serve as shining examples of his coaching genius, solidifying his status as one of the most influential figures in women’s basketball history.
Rizzotti: The Heart of a Champion
No discussion of the 2013 Hall of Fame class would be complete without mentioning the incomparable Jen Rizzotti. As the driving force behind UConn’s first national championship in 1995, Rizzotti’s tenacity, skill, and leadership set the standard for generations to come. Her statistical accomplishments—1,540 points, 637 assists, and 349 steals—only begin to scratch the surface of her immeasurable impact on the sport.
“The intensity level and passion she played with is what I remember, she inspired more players, more kids to play basketball than you can even imagine—for that alone she deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.”
– Geno Auriemma, Rizzotti’s coach at UConn
A Trio of Trailblazers
Rounding out this remarkable class are three players whose contributions to the game know no bounds:
- Peggie Gillom-Granderson, the all-time leading scorer and rebounder at Ole Miss, whose induction alongside her sister Jennifer marks the first pair of siblings enshrined in the Hall of Fame
- Annette Smith-Knight, the driving force behind Texas’s perfect 34-0 season and national championship in 1984, who remains the Longhorns’ all-time leading scorer
- Sue Wicks, a dominant force at Rutgers who holds school records in points, scoring average, rebounds, and blocks, before embarking on a successful WNBA career with the New York Liberty
As the basketball world prepares to honor these six extraordinary individuals, one cannot help but reflect on the indelible mark they have left on the sport. Their legacies, now forever enshrined in the hallowed halls of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, will continue to inspire and guide generations of players and coaches to come, serving as a shining beacon of excellence, dedication, and unwavering passion for the game they love.
