Former IJC women's basketball star to be honored at Women's Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony

Former IJC women's basketball star to be honored at Women's Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony

FULTON, Miss. – Former Itawamba Junior College (IJC) women's basketball standout and ICC Athletic Hall of Famer Jeanie Lloyd Dale of Aberdeen will participate in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony honoring the Women's Professional Basketball League (WBL) on June 9 in Knoxville, Tenn. 

Dale was the starting forward for the Lady Indians basketball team that went undefeated in conference play during the 1975-76 season. She also started the following season before transferring to the University of Mississippi. During her time at IJC, Dale was selected All-State, All-Region and team MVP. Her honors included Miss IJC, Most Athletic, vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, Who's Who and the Hall of Fame.

After two stellar seasons at Ole Miss, Dale was selected in the third round of the WBL Draft and averaged double figures as a rookie for the St. Louis Streak.

The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame will recognize the WBL for its contributions to the game with a display at the Hall of Fame entitled "Trailblazers of the Game." The WBL was the first professional women's basketball league in the United States, playing three seasons from 1978 to 1981. The league was represented by teams in Chicago, Houston, Iowa, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New Jersey, New York City and Washington D.C. in its inaugural season. New franchises were awarded to Dallas, New Orleans, San Francisco and St. Louis in the league's second season. 

Dale will be joined by several of her Streak teammates and other WBL legends at the ceremony, including Peggie Gillom-Granderson, Muffett McGraw, Lusia Harris Stewart, Nancy Lieberman and Holly Warlick.

The WBL will join eight other teams and organizations that have been recognized as "Trailblazers of the Game," which is a special recognition to groups that have added to the rich history of women's basketball - an honor that was given to the 1975-77 Delta State Women's basketball teams. 

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