Editor's letter

Dear Readers,

This issue marks the beginning of year five for Women's Basketball magazine.

Shortly after we published our first issue, in July 1999, I heard from an acquaintance at the WNBA that she had seen the magazine on a colleague's desk in their office. That individual made the comment, "Nice, but let's see them put out a second issue." Well, we put out a second issue, and a 10th, and a 20th. In 2001, we went from a quarterly to a bimonthly.

In the past four years, we have introduced readers to talented high school and college players, tackled issues in the sport, such as officiating and the rise in college transferring, and provided a forum for news.

We have established ourselves as a fixture in the world of women's basketball. In some ways, I think we mirror the WNBA. Those who know us like us, but we are constantly looking to grow.

As the WNBA still endeavors to establish a greater mass-media presence, we have become the place to be seen for many in the game. I smile when I think of Teresa Weatherspoon saying to me with appreciation, "It is the first time I have ever been on the cover of a magazine."

I remember walking into the gym at Columbia University for a practice session for the Inaugural WNBA All-Star Game in 1999. Since that day we have written about many amazing women and girls, all of whom share a passion for the game of basketball.

That passion is richly defined in this issue - from the reunion of the teams from Wayland College and Nashville Business College, which took place during induction weekend at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, to a look at college standouts Seimone Augustus and Shawntinice Polk, both of whom will be representing the United States in international play this summer. We look at the University of Montana-Western Lady Bulldogs, a team that excels both athletically and academically, but plays in relative anonymity in the world of the NAIA.

There are players who play on some of the most famous teams in the country - UConn, Purdue and Oklahoma - who are not there because coaches Geno Auriemma, Kristy Curry and Sherri Coale came courting with offers of a scholarship. These players paid their own tuitions and tried out. We are pleased to present a feature about walk-ons.

I also had the privilege of interviewing the new owner of the Charlotte Sting, Robert Johnson. A successful entrepreneur who founded Black Entertainment Television, he promises to put his media and marketing savvy behind this team and the WNBA.

Our cover subject, Stacey Dales-Schuman, has had a passion for basketball since she took up the game. She is always ready to share her talent and intensity with her teammates and hopefully help elevate their games in the process.

The best part of the last four years has been bringing our readers something new about the game you love. Please let us know who or what you want to read more about. Write me a letter or send me an e-mail at letters@WBmagazine.com.

Copyright Ashton International Media, Inc. Aug 2003
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved