Women

History

Basketball was one of two female varsity sports teams available to the first class of women at Davidson College. After students convinced the administration that there was enough interest to form a team, the women's basketball team played its first competitive season during the 1973-74 school year. The team, coached by Ann Holland and Joe Duncan, completed their first season with an outstanding record of 8-3. Led by Captain Dea Booth '75, the team included Katie Early '74, Ann Bode '75, Donna Sherrill, Nancy Matheny, Katherine Morton, Sally Bondurant, Becca Stimson, Nora McNeill, Laurie Dunn, Renee Hester, and Lynne Kenner '77. The young team confidently competed against teams with much more experienced players. During their second season, with a record of 10-7, the wildcats progressed to the semi-finals at the State "B" tournament in Wilmington, NC.

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Members

Sarah Womack Parham '80

Parham, Director of Psychosocial Club House, Catawba County Mental Health Services, set 18 school records in her four-year career fro 1977 through 1980 and she's the only female athlete whose jersey is retired. When she graduated in 1980, Womack's school records included most career points (1250) and rebounds (601). Still fourth in career points, she's the all-time leader in points per game (16.7) and field goals (556). She also holds the single game and season records for field goals. She received the Rebecca Stimson Award in 1980 as the college's most outstanding female athlete.

Elizabeth Ann Tanner '78

Beth Tanner was the 1978 recipient of the Rebecca Stimson Award for her accomplishments in women's basketball and field hockey. A standout guard on the basketball team, Tanner graduated in 1978 as the Wildcat's all-time leading scorer in women's basketball with 792 points. Tanner also held single-game (10 against Guilford) and season (67 in 1976) records in assists, and the season record holder for steals with 60. Tanner averaged 11.3 points per game in her career from 1974 through 1978. She also shares the single-game record for field goal percentage with .818 (9 for 11) against Catawba in 1974.

Pictures of Women's Basketball at Davidson College

The 1978-79 women's basketball team plays in Johnston Gym.

1974-75 Women's Basketball Team: Coaches Joe Duncan, Charlie Slagle and Ken Schmader; Katherine Morton, Renee Soos, Nancy Matheny, Donna Sherrill, Beth Tanner, Nora McNeill, Audrey Urbano, Bonnie Caulkins, Carol Folger, Becca Stimson, Dea Booth, Sally Bondurant, and Nancy Stanger. (not pictured: Ginny Newell)

Donna Sherrill '77 takes a shot over an opponent during the 1974-75 season.

Davidson College Archives
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Last modified on 2/13/2004 9:38:35 AM
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