What's New

July 1, 2006:  **The WBL and "Mad Seasons" will be featured on an upcoming National Public Radio's "Only a Game" with Bill Littlefield-- check your local PBS radio station**.  The book and the WBL were also featured recently on Sport2Sport radio network in Kansas.

May 18, 2006:  Added another Chicago Hustle photo page

April 9, 2006:  Added more pictures and info to the Donna Orender page; also corrected two transposed names on the WBL Roster.

March 5, 2006:  Added second season San Francisco Pioneers pics, and a picture of Gems owner Robert Milo (check out the glasses on the woman interviewing him -- don't you love the '70s?)

March 3, 2006:  Added recent news items for former WBL players (Jessie Kenlaw, Roberta Williams, Donna Orender, Sharon Beverly, Kaye Young, Molly Bolin, Ann Meyers, Linda Roberts, and coach Terry Kunze) to WBL in the News, and pictures of some 1979-80 Dallas Diamonds (Janice Baker, Cindy Bruton, Carolyn Bush-Roddy, Shena Cooper, Christy Earnhardt, Valerie Goodwin, Jerrianne John, Sharon McClannahan).  To see the pictures, go to the WBL Player Roster and click on the "Photo" link next to the name of the player.

**********************************************************************

May 31, 2005:  I'm happy (relieved) to announce that Mad Seasons:  A History of the first Women's Professional Basketball League (1978-81) will be in the University of Nebraska's next catalog.  Meanwhile, I have updated WBL In The News with the doings of some ex-WBLers, and, in response to inquiries, am adding a page with Donna Orender's WBL stats.

May 21-22, 2005:  Hallelujah!  Thanks to TechProNow, my computer problems are solved, and WBLMemories.com will now be updated on a regular basis, with new photos, stats, and updates.  If you have WBL-related news, pass it on!  What's New today is a long-overdue update of WBL In The News.  I have also updated the Player roster, thanks to a complete set of Official Scorer's reports for the 1979-80 and 1980-81 seasons that I just acquired, and added a few tidbits to the WBL History (2nd season) and WBL History (3rd season), and added some great 1980-81 photos to the Dallas Diamonds (1979-81) pages.

***********************************************

January 23, 2005:  Software problems continue.  Meanwhile, there's a small update to WBL In The News.

January 4, 2005:  I'm having a few software problems with my FrontPage; hence the sporadic updates.  I also know that some links are bad; I'll fix them as soon as I fix my access problem.  Meanwhile, I've updated WBL In The News with new items about former WBLers.  Note:  If you send e-mail to me at  karra.porter@chrisjen.com, please put "WBL" or "basketball" in the subject line, to increase the odds of making it through my firm's new heavy-duty spam filter.

October 16, 2004:  Updated WBL In The News with new items about former WBLers.  Now that some of my computer problems are fixed, I also made a few fixes of bad links on some of the team pages.  Also, although karra.porter@chrisjen.com is still my main contact address, for any who have communicated with me at home, please note that my home e-mail address has changed.  I won't post it here for fear of spammers, but feel free to e-mail me at the work address above, especially if your contact information has changed. 

On the book, the University of Nebraska is doing whatever it is they do with manuscripts pre-publication.  They are allowing up to 20 photos (their choice), so that will add flavor to the words.

**************************************

June 27, 2004:  I am off work this week and last to finish my publisher's requested edits on the WBL history, Mad Seasons.  The University of Nebraska has confirmed that the book will be in its Spring/Fall 2005 catalog (yea!).  Meanwhile, I've added some recent doings of former WBL personnel to WBL In The News.

Brenda Pitts' North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) conference on June 5 was a lot of fun, especially my co-speaker Beth Bass, CEO of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.

May 31, 2004:  This Saturday (June 5), I am speaking on the history of women's professional basketball at the North American Society for Sport Management (NASSM) conference in Atlanta.  The WBL will be coming up in the conversation . . . .

I have just received eight rolls of film taken by the WBL's official photographer during the first and second seasons.  As soon as I get a little break from work, I'll be scanning and posting them.

April 26, 2004:  Back among the land of the living.  On the one hand, having a thriving law practice is good.  On the other, it prevents one from fulfilling other, more enjoyable, obligations.  I will be updating this site on a more regular basis now, including newly located players, adding photographs, etc.  Also, we should have CDs available in the near future for people who are interested:  1) The tribute CD that we showed at the reunion, and 2) a CD of the reunion itself.

The book is done and to the publisher, except for the final version of the source notes and whatever additional changes they require.

*****************************************************

December 22, 2003:  Wow -- time flies when your caseload bites.  I've been putting out work fires for the past couple of months -- that's what happens when you take off three months to finish a book, then another month to put together a reunion, apparently -- but it's down to smoking embers now.  During the week between Christmas and New Year's, I will be concentrating on things I owe people (returned tapes, e-mail lists, etc.) -- I'm very sorry for the delays.

Thanks to everyone who sent me photos and etc. from the Reunion.  I actually will be getting them up.  Meanwhile, I have added some more photos to the Reunion page (links are at the bottom of the page).

I also added some WBL News, including exciting features on the  WNBA.com website and in Women's Basketball magazine.

October 14, 2003:  I have some follow-up to do on the Reunion, but I'm swamped with a couple of Utah Supreme Court deadlines until next week.  So, if I owe you a phone call or e-mail, my plan is to catch up with everything next week. 

September 28, 2003:  The Reunion is over -- wow, what a blast!  Some (but definitely not all) pictures have gone up, linked through the Reunion page.

September 10, 2003:  Updated the Reunion page (on nearly a daily basis now).  Please let me know if you're coming, even if you live in the Chicago area -- we have to get a head count for the dinner to the hotel in advance.

August 19, 2003:  Updated the Reunion page (on nearly a daily basis now, even if it's not reflect on this What's New page).  Another 7 in the past three days  -- join in!  Added lots of photos to these team pages:  San Francisco Pioneers; Pioneers (ii); and Pioneers (iii); also added photos to a new 1970-80 All-Star Game page.

August 16, 2003:  Added tons of great photos to these Milwaukee Does photo pages:  Milwaukee Does (i); Milwaukee Does (v); Milwaukee Does (vi); Milwaukee Does (vii); Milwaukee Does (viii); NewJersey Gems (iii); and Minnesota Fillies (v).  Also updated the new page with recent articles and news about WBL personnel, WBL In The News.

August 14, 2003:  Getting lots of confirmations -- 16 more in the past four days alone -- add your name to the list!  Aug. 6 - The Reunion page is being updated frequently, which may not always be mentioned on the What's New page -- keep checking back.  Added some exciting news to the Reunion page, along with an updated events calendar.  (By the way, please let me know if you have any problem with reservations; the hotel erroneously told someone today that all WBL rooms were taken.)  A new section called WBL In The News will help keep up with ex-WBLers.  I also added season ticket stuff to some of the Team pages (New York Stars, Iowa Cornets, Philadelphia Fox, Dallas Diamonds, and San Francisco Pioneers.)

August 4, 2003:  Added some new season-ticket brochures to Milwaukee Does, St. Louis Streak, and New Jersey Gems pages.  And check out this recent article describing Donna Murphy's (St. Louis Streak) stellar basketball record in Kentucky.

July 27, 2003: What's up with Queen Brumfield Nard (New Orleans Pride)?   Check out her college jersey retirement ceremony earlier this year.  Also, let me know if you're thinking of attending the Reunion; it'll help with planning.

July 16, 2003:  I've added hotel reservation info., etc., to the Reunion page.  Please keep checking back as we add more information.

July 4, 2003:  The book manuscript is (finally) done and gone!  It's the University of Nebraska's problem now, other than a couple of interview loose ends I will be incorporating later.  Now it's time for the reunion.  NOTE:  WBLMemories.com is having server problems -- my former server went bankrupt, so there might occasionally be a glitch during transition.  If so, please check back again.

Hey, you ex-Minnesota Fillies, here's a familiar face:   Terry Kunze today

And, for you ex-Milwaukee Does, an update on Diane Morales

For both Does and Fillies, here's the latest on Kathy DeBoer

If you're in the Des Moines area, you can listen to Rhonda Penquite (Iowa Cornets) of Just In Time Ministries on Praise940AM from 2:30-2:45 Monday through Friday.

June 11, 2003:  Still finalizing the manuscript for the book; just about done except for a few loose ends.  Then it's back to work on the Reunion, etc.  If I have some of your materials, I'll get them back as soon as I get this manuscript in the mail to the University of Nebraska.  Thanks!

May 10, 2003:  I'm neglecting the website temporarily while I try to meet my book publisher's deadline.  I have updated the Player roster to reflect three recently located WBL players.  (We don't have them all, yet, but we're getting there!)  I've also gotten some more thumbs up for the reunion -- spread the word!

April 19, 2003:  I've been a bit swamped on a case, so the only thing I've updated is the Player roster to reflect newly located players.  Meanwhile, I've received some more confirmations as to the Reunion -- keep 'em coming!

April 4, 2003:  Updated the Reunion page with the location and other new info.  Thanks to Anita Ortega (San Francisco Pioneers, Minnesota Fillies) for the fantastic candid photos, including some pretty hilarious ones, and to Lynda Gehrke Phillip (Milwaukee Does) for the excellent photos and scrapbook.

March 8, 2003:  Added tons of great photos to Minnesota Fillies plus four more Fillies pages (linked through the main page), thanks to ex-Fillies Cindy Lundberg.  Thanks also to Kaye Young Cowher (New York Stars, New Jersey Gems), Charlotte Lewis (Iowa Cornets, Nebraska Wranglers), and Pat Colasurdo Mayo (San Francisco Pioneers) for sharing their WBL memories.  I am trying to approach the finish line on the book manuscript, so if we've talked about an interview (or even if we haven't) and I haven't been in touch yet, please e-mail me ASAP.

March 6, 2003:   Thanks to Ed Reisdorf (owner, New York Stars) for sharing his memories and saying he'll see us at the Reunion.  Anita Ortega (San Francisco Pioneers, Minnesota Fillies) was recently inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame - check out the article.

March 2, 2003:  Updated the Reunion page with more info.

February 21, 2003:  Added lots of photos to the Milwaukee Does (and two other pages linked there), thanks to Cindy Lundberg.

February 19, 2003:  Thanks to Faye Young Miller (New York Stars, New Jersey Gems) and Mara Melbourne Willis (New York Stars, California Dreams) for sharing their memories.  Page updates: added candid photos from the Inaugural Game to a new page; added photos to the Milwaukee Does page; added a photo to the New Jersey Gems page.

February 16, 2003:  I've added a Reunion page about the 25th Anniversary WBL reunion tentatively scheduled for Sept. 2003 in Chicago.  Players, owners, friends, family, fans -- come one, come all!  It ought to be great fun!

February 3, 2003:  Check out a recent article about Pearl "the Earl" Moore (New York Stars, St. Louis Streak).

Thanks to Charlie McCabe, formerly Director of Marketing for Manufacturers Hanover (later Chase Manhattan) for sharing his memories of the WBL and his pioneering efforts in the sponsorship of women's basketball.  Thanks also for the photos, which I've added to a new page for the 1st All-Star Game and a new page of WBL related photos (Carol Blazejowski, Nancy Lieberman, Ann Meyers, Inge Nissen, Donna Simms).

Thanks also to Cindy (now Detective) Lundberg (Milwaukee Does, Minnesota Fillies) for the cool candids.  I hope to scan and post them by this weekend.

January 11, 2003:  Thanks to Lynda Gehrke Phillip and Cindy Lundberg (both of the Milwaukee Does) for sharing their memories, and to Kim Blacklock (Minnesota Fillies) for updating my information on her.  I've also updated the Roster to note recently located players, and Books to include the latest from Mariah Burton Nelson (New Jersey Gems) plus a link to the thought-provoking documentary about Liz Silcott (St. Louis Streak, San Francisco Pioneers), since I've had some requests about how to get copies of it.  Producer Sylvia Sweeney, a teammate of Silcott's in Canada, suggests that mental illness in athletes is often ignored or excused as eccentricity, with tragic results.

January 5, 2003:  Thanks to Joy Holman (Dayton Rockettes), Ann Platte (St. Louis Streak), and Elsie Ohm Slinger (Minnesota Fillies) for sharing their WBL  memories with me.  I have also updated the Roster, fixing some booboos and purpling names of some more players newly located, and added a page on the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's WBL material (or lack thereof).

January 1 & 4, 2003:  Added more player photos, linked thru the Roster.  Also, a big thank you to Bill Himmelman of Sports Nostalgia Research for his excellent information that is helping to finalize the Roster and to track down remaining players.  What impressive records!

December 23, 2002:  I've started posting individual player photos, linked through the Roster page -- too many to list here, with more coming.  Thank you to women's basketball guru Mel Greenberg (Philadelphia Inquirer) for entertaining me at the BYU-GW game earlier this month when I was in D.C. for a Supreme Court case.  I've now resumed working hard to meet the publisher's target date for the book.  Speaking of which, I've added to Books some new works involving former WBL players.

November 17, 2002: Thanks to Karen Aulenbacher Heintz and Belinda Jones (both of the Houston Angels) for being interviewed about their WBL experiences.

November 16, 2002:  Thanks to Mel Greenberg of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Paula Mayo (Houston Angels, Chicago Hustle), and Iowa Cornets General Manager Rod Lein for sharing their memories of the WBL and women's basketball.

November 11, 2002:  Tara Heiss (New Jersey Gems) has been named to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2004.  Check out her bio on the WBHOF inductee site.

November 10, 2002:  I'm back . . . I just finished two major U. S. Supreme Court and Utah Supreme Court projects that took up most of two months.  (If anyone's curious, our case is being heard by the U. S. Supreme Court on December 11.  The case is usually known as Campbell v. State Farm, and our side (the Campells) will be argued by Laurence Tribe of Harvard.)  I will now be taking several weeks off in Nov./Dec. to finish - finally - the book.

I've posted info on the New Orleans Pride's two seasons.  I'll also be adding  some photos of WBL players from their college and Redhead days for fun.  Meanwhile thanks to several people, including:  Clifton Juan for his Pride photos; Paul Gatten for letting me know about his incredible WBL collection; Eric Cialona for writing an article on the Pride (sorry for the delay with the data); Houston sportswriter Michael Murphy for the fantastic info on the Houston Angels, and Barb Hostert (Milwaukee Does) for keeping an eye on eBay WBL stuff for me.

September 7, 2002:  Thanks to George Nissen (owner, Iowa Cornets) Mo Eckroth (Cornets) and Maria Gross Hogan (New York Stars) for sharing their WBL memories, and to Jill Hutchison (former president, Women's Basketball Coaches Assn. and chair, U. S. Girls and Women's Basketball Rules Committee) for being willing to dig up her file on the adoption of the smaller ball, which was first used in the WBL.

September 1, 2002: Sorry for the infrequent updates, but most of my spare time is being put toward finishing the book.  I've colored in three newly located players on the Roster to be interviewed shortly:  Suzanne Washington (San Francisco Pioneers); Rosie Thompson (St. Louis Streak); Maria Gross (New York Stars).  Also thanks to Rick Mock of Columbus Street Creative for telling me the interesting story behind designing the WBL logo.

August 10, 2002: The book is still progressing, slowly but surely.  Meanwhile, thanks to Linnell "Nurse J" / "Magic" Jones McKenney (St. Louis Streak); Margaret English Jones (San Francisco Pioneers), Anita Ortega (Pioneers; Minnesota Fillies) and Kathy Andrykowski (New Orleans Pride) for interviews; to Barb Hostert (Milwaukee Does) and Ione Shadduck (Des Moines attorney) for the goodies; and to Jimmy Damon (Chicago entertainer), who not only remembered writing and singing the "Chicago Hustle" jingle, but was able to lay his hands on a copy.  "Hustlin' that basketball around . . ."

I have also updated the Player Roster by reclassifying some newly located players.

July 27, 2002:  Thanks to Larry Gillman (coach, St. Louis Streak) for sharing his memories with me, and to Rita Easterling (Chicago Hustle) and Brenda Chapman Strickler (Milwaukee Does, Minnesota Fillies) for agreeing to be interviewed.

July 25, 2002:  Thanks to Glenda Holleyman (Houston Angels) and Sybil Blalock (New Orleans Pride) for allowing me to interview them.

July 21, 2002:  Thanks very much to Dennis Slusher, formerly with Central Missouri State, for enabling me to add or correct information on several players in the Player Roster.  Meanwhile, I'm still scrambling to meet the publisher's deadline on the WBL book, so if you have any info for me, now's the time...

July 9, 2002:  Still sequestered trying to finish the book manuscript.  Thanks, meanwhile, to Gordon Nevers (owner, Minnesota Fillies) and Rosie Walker Kellum (Nebraska Wranglers and 1980-81 MVP) for sharing their memories, and to Doug Bruno (coach, Chicago Hustle) and Jud Phillips (owner, Dallas Diamonds) for agreeing to be interviewed.  I've also updated the Player Roster with some new information.  If you know the location of anyone listed in black on the roster, or of any changes, PLEASE let me know ASAP.

June 27, 2002:  There won't be much new added in the next couple of weeks, as I sequester myself to work full-time on finishing the book manuscript. In the meantime, my thanks to Craig Kunzmann (brother of Connie Kunzmann, Iowa Cornets and Nebraska Wranglers) for sharing his recollections, and to Donna Geils Orender (New York Stars, New Jersey Gems, Chicago Hustle) for agreeing to an interview.

Incidentally, Donna was a panelist last weekend on ESPN's Town Hall Meeting that discussed Title IX issues. Another ex-WBLer, Mariah Burton Nelson (New Jersey Gems), was a featured member of the audience on a recent CSPAN-2 Book Event discussing a controversial new book about Title IX called "Tilting the Playing Field."

June 19, 2002:  Thanks to Don Knodel (head coach, Houston Angels), Holly Warlick (Nebraska Wranglers) and Cindy Brogdon (New Orleans Pride) for agreeing to be interviewed; Lynda Gehrke (Milwaukee Does):  Please contact me; your e-mail address bounced back on me.

June 13, 2002:  Added a photo from the 1980-81 draft to the Dallas Diamonds page, updated the books page with publication information about the upcoming WBL book, and added an image and quote to the WBL History (The Beginning) page.

June 4, 2002: Nothing glamorous, just updated the Player Roster with some corrections, new information, and a previously unknown player.

May 31, 2002:  Not much new -- spare time has been spent working on the book -- but I did update the Player Roster with a newly located player (Kathy Swilley (New Orleans Pride)).  I also had the pleasure of reuniting four former players with each other after a 20-year gap.

May 19, 2002: Just added: Photos from the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony weekend in Knoxville, April 26-27, 2002.  Click here to see a WBL fan's version of events. (Any resemblance to actual persons or events is purely coincidental...)

May 18, 2002 - At last!  Recent technical difficulties have been resolved; I can now update the page again, and hope to add more stuff soon.  In the meantime, thanks go to recent interviewees Tom Davis (and for the great stuff!) (Houston Angels; Dallas Diamonds); Steve Brown (New Orleans Pride); and Sandra Smallwood (Pride)

April 23, 2002 - Sad news:  Harriet Novarr (New York Stars) passed away last Friday.  Harriet was a Syracuse grad, and played during the WBL's inaugural season.  Her nephew says that Harriet remained a fan of basketball throughout her life, and attended the women's Final Four in San Antonio three weeks ago.

April 14, 2002 - Good news on the book front:  Mad Seasons has received an encouraging response from publishers, and a contract announcement should be posted within the next few weeks.  Meanwhile, thank you to recent interviewees Bill Byrne (WBL founder / president), Molly Bolin (Iowa Cornets; San Francisco Pioneers), John Katzler (referee), Michelle McKenzie (Dayton Rockettes; California Dreams), Kathy DeBoer (Milwaukee Does; Minnesota Fillies), Tanya Crevier (Cornets; Pioneers), Marshall Geller (Pioneers); to Tom Davis (Dallas Diamonds) for helpful corrections, and of course to everyone who has previously talked with me.  On the website, I've added pictures to the league Photos III and Photos IV, and updated the Player Roster with a couple more players located.

April 6, 2002 - Added an image to the WBL History (1st Season) courtesy of former WBL official John Katzler; also added several pictures to team pages.

March 22, 2002 - Added new photos to too many pages to list (mostly on Teams, Photos and History pages) -- more to come.  Also updated the Player Roster with two previously unknown players and another player tracked down.

March 16, 2002 - Added new photos to the WBL Photos, WBL History (3rd season) and most team pages, courtesy of Patti Bucklew, Michelle McKenzie, and Sherwin Fischer; and moved most pix from the main photo page to individual team pages.

March 9, 2002 - Updated the Player Roster, thanks to two new players who found this website; added the Third Season All-Pro Team, MVP, Coach of the Year, and Owner of the Year information and quotes from Greg Williams and "Wicked" Wanda Szeremeta to the WBL History (3rd season) page.

February 26, 2002 - Updated the Player Roster to reflect new players located and a correction from Cardie Hicks.  Coming soon:  Tons of new pictures and etc. courtesy of former WBL commissioner Sherwin Fischer, (who redefines the concept of "pack rat," and who let me spend three times as long as he expected going through old league records earlier this month).

February 9, 2002 - Updated the Player Roster, thanks to info from Musiette McKinney and Gail Marquis.

February 5, 2002 - Added a (third season) team photo to the Chicago Hustle section, courtesy of Ethel "Poco" White, and the team jingle to the New Jersey Gems page, courtesy of songwriter Jeff Sorg.

January 26, 2002 - Added some information and images to all of the WBL History pages and to New York and Memorabilia, courtesy of ex-WBLers Patti Bucklew, Michelle McKenzie, and Doris Draving.  (More to be added later).

January 8, 2002 - "Slipping Through the Hoops," a disturbing documentary about Liz "the Whiz" Silcott of the '79-80 St. Louis Streak / San Francisco Pioneers, aired recently on WTSN (Canada's all-women's sports station).  The video is available through Elitha Peterson Productions in Toronto.

January 5, 2002 - Added logos for most of the remaining teams.

January 1, 2002 - Updated the roster with some recently located players; added some pictures to a new photos page and to the Chicago Hustle section.  We could use some help identifying players; let me know if you can add or correct names.

        Larry Costello, coach of the Milwaukee Does in the 1979-80 season (and also of the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls) died December 12, 2001, at the age of 70.

December 18, 2001 - The website is still under construction, but we've added some pics to the Photos section, more information and images to the History sections (all three seasons), some items to the Memorabilia section, and a list of books written by ex-WBL players.  We also corrected an error on the roster pointed out by a player (oops).