LIZ LEDGER
Liz Galloway-McQuitter has always been a trailblazer in whatever she was involved in.
Now all her efforts will be validated on a larger level.
The Women’s Basketball League is the 2018 recipient of the Trailblazer Award and will be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tennessee on June 9.
Galloway-McQuitter was part of a league that was the first in wom-
High school—Graduated from RHS in 1973.
College—Attended Temple Junior College and UNLV.
As a player—Was a two-time All-State selection for the Tigerettes after leading them to state tournament twice. Led Temple Junior College to a national championship. Played for Chicago Hustle of the WBL.
As a coach—Coached collegiately at Dartmouth, DePaul, Lamar, Northern Illinois and Texas A&M. Returned to RHS and led the Lady Tigers to the state tournament for the first time in 43 years—when she was a player.
en’s professional basketball, playing for the Chicago Hustle.
“I was thinking personally to myself that I came from this small town — many of us did—and we became part of women’s basketball history,” Galloway-McQuitter said. “It was a blessing infused with timing, preparation, and seizing a moment that was done not only out of love for a sport, but the desire to make sure others that followed were afforded the same opportunity we were.
“We WBL members paid it forward and continue to do so to keep girls and women’s basketball growing and thriving.”
Galloway-McQuitter is a 1973 graduate of RHS and was a two-time All-State selection while leading the Tigerettes to the state tournament twice.
Galloway-McQuitter then led Temple Junior College to a national championship and went on to play for UNLV.
After the WBL and several college coaching stops, Galloway-McQuitter returned to RHS and led the Lady Tigers to a state tournament appearance in 2015—43 years after she played in the tournament.
Galloway-McQuitter played in the very first WBL game as the Hustle traveled to Milwaukee to face the Does and came away with a win.
There was a crowd of 7,824 in attendance.
Chicago was the midwest division champion.
Dallas and Houston were home to two of the eight WBL franchises. Houston was the league champion in that inaugural season.
Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman was the league’s highest profi le player.
Galloway-McQuitter was asked by her fellow inductees to compose a press release as a history of the seminal league.
According to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, these women made a conscious effort to lay the template that would eventually launch other fledgling leagues, the ABL, and current WNBA.
The WBL—which existed from 1978 thru 1981— was a product of many who came before them.
Many young women played on AAU teams, traveling exhibition teams, club teams, and in any forum that allowed them to showcase their skills.
After Title IX in 1972, girls were afforded athletic scholarships and opportunities to play in college.
They took full advantage of this new legislation and the race was on.
Girls’ sports grew exponentially and no longer remained in the shadows.
It was also the 1976 Olympic basketball team that helped shine a spotlight on the women’s game, and the stage was set for a professional league.
The WBL contributions are numerous, and while the league and each individual player may not be household names, their legacy is cemented in the history of women’s basketball.
The work and accomplishments of these pioneers have a direct influence on today’s game, and they are the epitome of the mandate for the Trailblazer Award.
The induction will be streamed on ESPN June 9.
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