The 1983-84 Women’s Basketball team spearheaded women’s sports at Rhodes College. Prior to the NCAA assuming sanctioning authority for sports championships, the women were under the AIAW (Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women).
Small colleges had open competition at the national level. Like Rhodes, most Division III schools only had men’s conferences under the NCAA authority. The 1983-84 team approached Coach Hatgas and asked, “Can we have our own conference, with the ability to have conference play and season-ending championships?” Coach Hatgas and several area college coaches spent one fall weekend in Kentucky developing a proposal to be presented to the athletic directors and college presidents. Subsequently, a constitution was developed and submitted to the AIAW. The Women’s Collegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) was accepted and the 1983-84 team competed and won the first WIAC Conference Championship! Their final record during this memorable season was 18-4.
The 1983-84 roster, led by head coach Sarah Hatgas and assistant coaches Mike Jones and Doc Browning (who also served as the head trainer), included Mary Ann Fesmire, Tracey Hill, Linda Odom, Julie Brown, Darlene Jordan, Michelle Henkel, Ann Webb Betty, Stephanie Russell, Trish Barron, and Melissa Hayes.
The members of the 1983-84 Women’s Basketball team were truly trailblazers who set the stage for the success of our women’s athletic programs today! In recognition of their outstanding season, and for what they have meant to women’s athletics at the college, Rhodes is honored to induct the 1983-84 Women’s Basketball team into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame on this 2nd day of November, 2024.
