• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Subscribe
    • Become a print subscriber
    • Sign up for e-Newsletter
    • e-Editions
Thursday, June 8, 2023
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
  • News & Features
    • National
    • Local
    • Special Editions
      • MLK Legacy
      • Black History Month
      • The MSR Celebrates Women’s History Month
  • All Sections
    • Opinion
      • Mellaneous by Mel Reeves
      • Word on the Street
      • Reaching Out From Within
    • Health + Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • Minnesota Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Sports
      • Timberwolves/NBA
      • Lynx/WNBA
        • 20 in 20
      • Twins/MLB
      • MN Wild/NHL
      • Vikings/NFL
    • Business
      • Small Business Month Celebration
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
    • Arts + Culture
    • Photo Galleries
    • MSR Forefront Digital Roundtable Series
      • MSR Forefront Highlights
    • Go Green
    • Education
    • Bulletin
    • Jobs & Notices
      • Legals
      • Announcements
  • Events
    • Submit an event!
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • e-Editions
No Result
View All Result
Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder
No Result
View All Result

Sisters lead among WNBA’s greatest

by Charles Hallman
June 30, 2016
15
SHARES
291
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

WBNA 20in20nobylineFor 20 weeks, to commemorate the WNBA’s 20th season (the MSR having covered each season), the MSR sports section will feature a column or article on the W in our “20 in 20” series. This week: Sisters rule

Black women have been uniquely instrumental in almost every aspect of the WNBA from its beginning through today.

The WNBA last week honored the 20 greatest and most influential players in league history in celebration of its landmark 20th season. Of the 60 nominees, 47 were either Black or other females of color, as were 14 of the WNBA’s Top 20@20 finalists.

Renee Brown
Renee Brown

Renee Brown has been with the league since the beginning as a second-in-charge executive. Her first responsibility was to sign players; Sheryl Swoopes was her first signee.

Penny Toler, then playing for the Los Angeles Sparks, shot and made the W’s first-ever basket on June 21, 1997 in Los Angeles. She moved to the front office and as GM was instrumental in the Sparks’ first two championships in 2001 and 2002.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“Scoring the first basket is significant to me,” she told the MSR during a media conference call earlier this month. “As I get older, I will cherish it as I do now.”

Swin Cash, one of the historic 20, was a member of the league’s first heralded draft class in 2002 when she and three UConn teammates were selected in the first six picks. “Personally the downside was [that] when the WNBA first started there were certain stigmas, the discrimination I felt in different areas,” recalls Cash. “I am a professional athlete. I am a WNBA player.”

Teresa Weatherspoon
Teresa Weatherspoon

Her 20@20 teammate Teresa Weatherspoon is forever known for “The Shot” in 1999. She also played in that first game as a New York Liberty guard. She’s now on the team’s coaching staff and will be in town Wednesday, June 29 to play Minnesota.

“We were somewhat nervous before the ball went up,” she remembers. “We understood the magnitude and responsibility not just to play but perform real well.”

SOE.Cash.49“I think a lot of women have contributed to the game,” adds Tonya Edwards, the Minnesota Lynx’s first All-Star (1999).

- ADVERTISEMENT -

These women of color, whether recognized rightfully or not, impacted the league and in turn this country’s sports landscape for the better.

“I don’t think we just want to say ‘women of color,’” notes Weatherspoon. “The WNBA gave all [women] the opportunity and the power to play our sport. What we tried to do was empower all women with the sport we love and grew up playing in a sport where we were told we couldn’t be aggressive.”

Penny Tolar
Penny Tolar

“I never really looked at the game as far as color,” admits Toler. “The importance and significance of having a league that has women play basketball I think as a whole, it was great that the WNBA was born, as well as the ABL and all the other leagues. I don’t think of race as significant.”

Two decades later, Toler and Cash agree that no resting on laurels should take place now. “It’s amazing that the WNBA has outlasted all the other leagues. I think it is important to understand that it was great athletes and great people [involved],” says Toler.

Cash, now in her 15th season but planning to retire after this season, advises, “Don’t be afraid to speak on the WNBA.”

- ADVERTISEMENT -

“When we began,” concludes Weatherspoon, “we were told we wouldn’t last five years. Here we are. Twenty years have passed.”

Teresa Weatherspoon and Tonya Edwards and their respective historic achievements will be featured in a future “20 in 20” article.

 

Charles Hallman welcomes reader responses to challman@spokesman-recorder.com.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Support Black local news

Help amplify Black voices by donating to the MSR. Your contribution enables critical coverage of issues affecting the community and empowers authentic storytelling.

Donate Now!

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Cartoon of the Week

Next Post

B.L.A.C.K. class a success

Charles Hallman

Charles Hallman is a contributing reporter and award-winning sports columnist at the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

You Might Also Like

Zahui B. finds happiness with Washington
Lynx/WNBA

Zahui B. finds happiness with Washington

Welcome to the new wild west of sports
Sports

Toronto shows some love for the WNBA

Knoxville hosts Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Lynx/WNBA

Knoxville hosts Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2023

WNBA 2023 draft preview
Lynx/WNBA

WNBA 2023 draft preview

WNBA needs business advocates for women’s sports
Lynx/WNBA

WNBA needs business advocates for women’s sports

Athletes Unlimited’s second season comes to a close
Sports

Athletes Unlimited’s second season comes to a close

Next Post
B.L.A.C.K. class a success

B.L.A.C.K. class a success

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
ADVERTISEMENT

The Latest News

Holloman giving back 

Holloman giving back 

‘Flintstones’ Lynx legend thrives on high expectations

‘Flintstones’ Lynx legend thrives on high expectations

Summer Guide: June 1-7 events

2023 Summer Guide: June 8-14

Outspoken public defender faces ‘star chamber’ reappointment (updated)

The case for juvenile justice reform 

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival

A Night With The River marks the end of annual all-night arts festival

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 

7 ways to celebrate Prince’s enduring legacy 

Minneapolis
◉
63°
Partly Cloudy
5:26 am8:57 pm CDT
FriSatSunMonTue
84/64°F
79/55°F
72/54°F
73/59°F
84/63°F
Weather forecast Minneapolis, Minnesota ▸
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Upcoming Events

Apr 13
April 13 @ 7:30 pm-June 10 @ 9:00 pm Recurring

Wit by Margaret Edson

Apr 14
April 14 @ 9:00 am-August 12 @ 5:00 pm

Paper Is People: Decolonizing Global Paper Cultures

Jun 8
10:00 am-4:00 pm Recurring

Preserving Nature Photos by Walter Griffin: REFLECTIONS

Jun 8
2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Juneteenth Business Forum

View Calendar

Read our latest e-Edition!

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Subscribe

  • Home/Office Delivery
  • Weekly e-newsletter
  • e-Editions

Support

  • Donate
  • Subscribe
  • MSR Newsstand Locations

Connect

  • About
    • MSR Staff
  • Contact
  • Send a news tip
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

No Result
View All Result
  • News & Features
    • Local
    • National
  • All Sections
    • Arts & Culture
    • Health & Wellness
      • Parenting Today
      • MN Cancer Alliance Breast Cancer Gaps Project
    • Business
      • Black Business Spotlight
      • Finances FYI
      • Small Business Month Celebration
    • Opinion
    • Sports
  • Events
  • Obits
  • Sister Spokesman
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

© 2023 Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

 

Loading Comments...