Trailblazing HBCU Squad Etched in Basketball Glory
The 1981-1982 Cheyney University women’s basketball team has etched its name in the annals of basketball history. This trailblazing squad from the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has been enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as the “Trailblazer of the Game.”
First HBCU to Reach NCAA Division 1 Championship
In 1982, Cheyney University’s women’s basketball team became the first and only HBCU to appear in an NCAA Division 1 national championship game.
Under the guidance of Hall of Famer C. Vivian Stringer, the team embarked on an impressive 20-game winning streak before defeating Auburn, North Carolina State, Kansas State, and Maryland en route to the championship bout against Louisiana Tech.
“We are very thankful, but 42 years? When you want to really understand and know about the history of women’s NCAA championships, you have to go back to the first year,” said Valerie Walker, a star player from the historic team.
Pioneering Coaching Staff of Black Women
As reported by the Knox News, Cheyney University’s coaching staff, led by Stringer, is believed to be the first composed entirely of Black women to compete in a women’s national championship game. This groundbreaking achievement further solidifies the team’s trailblazing legacy.
“We’re trailblazers because they told us that we couldn’t do it. You’ve got to always talk about the first,” Walker remarked, alluding to the exploding popularity of women’s basketball.
Overdue Recognition and Living Legends
Yolanda Laney, another star member of the 1982 team, expressed her gratitude for receiving recognition while still alive. “It is good to get your flowers while you’re still alive, because it’s been 40 years … long overdue,” said Laney, whose daughter, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, currently plays for the New York Liberty.
Laney also reflected on Stringer’s Hall of Fame career, noting, “Cheyney was first. Cheyney is where it all began. My teammates have told her (Stringer) and she said it herself: She’s Cheyney-made.”
Honoring a Pivotal Moment in Women’s Basketball
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley paid tribute to the historic Cheyney team during the 2023 women’s March Madness tournament. Staley wore Laney’s number 44 jersey, sparking conversations and shedding light on the pivotal moment in women’s basketball history.
“She brought a lot of light back to Cheyney’s history,” Laney said of Staley’s gesture, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and celebrating trailblazers.
