The Cheyney University women’s basketball team achieved a remarkable feat in 1982 by becoming the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) team to reach the Final Four. Under the guidance of the esteemed coach C. Vivian Stringer, Cheyney made history by winning 23 consecutive games en route to the national semifinals. This impressive winning streak included victories over Auburn, NC State, and Kansas, propelling them into the Final Four alongside Maryland, Tennessee, and Louisiana Tech.
In the crucial Final Four matchup, Cheyney triumphed over Maryland with a score of 76-66 before ultimately facing defeat at the hands of Louisiana Tech in the inaugural NCAA women’s national championship game. Despite falling short of the title, their outstanding performance on the court solidified their place in history.
Fast forward more than 40 years, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame has bestowed upon the team the prestigious 2024 Trailblazer of the Game Award. Debra Walker, a former Cheyney forward, remarked, “With the popularity of women’s basketball and the attention it’s getting right now, there’s no better time to remind everyone of the history they made at the first women’s NCAA Final Four. You can’t talk about the NCAA Final Four unless you talk about Cheyney. Had they talked about us sooner, we might be forgotten right now. We’re trailblazers because they told us that we couldn’t do it.”
The team’s surviving members expressed their gratitude for the recognition of their historic 28-3 season. Star forward Yolanda Laney voiced her appreciation, stating, “It is good to get your flowers while you’re still alive because it’s been 40 years … long overdue.”
It is undeniable that the Cheyney University women’s basketball team blazed the trail for future generations of female athletes and demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill in the face of adversity. Their induction into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame serves as a testament to the enduring impact of their historic achievements and the significant contribution they have made to the sport of basketball.
As we celebrate the well-deserved recognition bestowed upon these pioneering athletes, let us also reflect on the invaluable lessons that their journey has imparted. Their unwavering determination and unyielding spirit continue to inspire and empower aspiring athletes, transcending the boundaries of time and leaving an indelible mark on the world of women’s basketball.