Our Dream...Our Game... Our World, embracing the game, one woman at a time.  This is the theme behind the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's 2008 Induction.

            The Hall has been celebrating the game of women's basketball since it opened its doors in 1999.The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's mission statement to "honor the past, celebrate the present, and promote the future" rings true as the hall prepares for the 10^th anniversary and annual induction ceremony.

"The mission statement and the induction ceremony is our way of honoring the game of women's basketball and a great class of inductees each year," said Dana Hart, Vice President and General Manager.

This year's induction will take place on June 14. The schedule of events includes an open to the public autograph session at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame from 1-2 p.m., the Gala event at 6 p.m., and the climatic induction ceremony at the Bijou Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets to the gala are $100 and anyone can take part in history and join the inductees and honored guest. The gala consists of a live and silent auction, food, and entertainment. The induction ceremony is a prestigious black-tie event at which the inductees will receive the coveted Eastman Award.

            Each year the board of directors, which includes Lady Vols coach Pat Summit, selects six inductee representing three different categories: player, coach, or contributor.

            The class of 2008 includes Patty Broderick, Lin L. Laursen, Debbie Ryan, Jill Rankin Schneider, Suzie McConnell-Serio, and Michele Timms. The class includes one contributor, two coaches and three players. 

Broderick, an official with over 30 years of experience, became the second woman to ever work an Olympic Games in 1988.  Laursen, head coach of Central Arizona College, and Ryan, head coach of the Virginia women's basketball program, have helped build their respective programs into national powerhouses, combining to win four national coach of the year honors and advance to 13 Final Four appearances. Rankin Schneider, received Kodak All America status at two different universities (Wayland Baptist, 1979 and The University of Tennessee, 1980) and was captain of the 1980 Olympic Team. McConnell-Serio was named the best 5-foot 4-inch basketball player, male or female, of all time by Sports Illustrated and set NCAA records for assists during her career at Penn State. Timms, a three-time Olympian, led the Australian National Team to its first Olympic medals, and currently is an assistant coach for the Chinese Olympic team.

 "The class of 2008 consists of six women who are the epitome of our mission statement because they are being honored for their past, are still involved presently, and are helping to impact the future," The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Director of Basketball Relations, Karen Tucker explained. "It has been a pleasure getting to know this class of inductees and we are proud to be adding them to an already prestigious group of individuals."

            Inaugural inductee Pat Summitt also amplifies the Hall's mission statement. Honoring the past through her dedication and hard work that got her to where she is today, celebrating the present in her excellent coaching of the Lady Vols, which recently lead them to their 8^th NCAA Women's National Championship, and promotes the future by aiding her players, such as Candace Parker and Alexis Hornbuckle, in their skills and future careers.

"Pat Summit is a tremendous asset to the sport of women's basketball and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame," said Hart, "she has rightfully earned her place as an inductee and as a contributor of the Hall and its programs."

Anyone who loves the game of women's basketball is encouraged to attend this event and become a part of history as the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors the induction class of 2008.