University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Lady Vol Great Holly Warlick To Be Enshrined
November 13, 2000 | Women's Basketball
The University of Tennessee received the outstanding news that former Lady Vol basketball Olympian and All-American Holly Warlick will be enshrined in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in the Class of 2001. Warlick, a Lady Vol assistant coach entering her 16th season, will join nine of the world's greatest players and coaches in the history of women's basketball in the Class of 2001.
Joining Warlick in the Hall of Fame are coaches Van Chancellor, Theresa Grentz, C. Vivian Stringer, Linda Sharp, Phyllis Holmes and players LaTaunya Pollard, Rosie Walker, Vanya Voinova and Hazel Walker. These legendary greats will be honored June 8-9, 2001 at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2001 Induction Ceremony in Knoxville, Tenn.
According to Women's Basketball Hall of Fame officials, selections for the Class of 2001 were made based on moral character, integrity, sportsmanship, record of performance, ability, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women's basketball. Each person was also evaluated on the significance of their accomplishments to women's basketball. Criteria for selection also met the following pre-requisites:
- Players shall be retired, from their highest level of play, for at least five years.
- Coaches shall have coached the women's game at least 20 years.
- Referees shall have officiated the women's game at least 10 years.
- Contributors shall have significantly impacted the game of women's basketball.
Warlick, a standout Lady Vol point guard from 1976-80, was a backcourt whiz whose playmaking prowess earned her recognition as "the best player in the South" during her career as a Tennessee Lady Vol. Ironically, she joined the Lady Vol basketball squad as a walk-on as a scholarship 400-meter track athlete and ultimately became the first player in the history of University of Tennessee athletics (men or women) to have her jersey retired at the end of her career in 1980.
As a player, she helped the Lady Vols reach the Final Four three times altogether, including their first appearance in 1977, a third place finish in 1979 and a national runner-up finish in 1980. Warlick earned Kodak All-America honors as a senior in 1980 and was named as a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team. She previously held UT records for most assists (14) and steals (9) in a game, most assists in a season (225), and most games in a career (141).
Her other international experience also included berths on U.S. teams that participated in the Jones Cup, Pan American Games, and World Championships. She concluded her career playing professionally with the Nebraska Wranglers in the Women's Professional Basketball League in 1981 and was a WPBL All-Star as the Wranglers captured a league title.
After coaching stints at Virginia Tech and Nebraska, Warlick returned to her alma mater in 1985 as an assistant coach where she has helped Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt bring home NCAA titles in 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1997 and 1998. Warlick's inclusion in the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame brings the number of Lady Vols in the Hall to four. Warlick joins Summitt and former Lady Vol teammates Cindy Noble-Hauserman and Trish Roberts as inductees.
For more information about the Class of 2001, visit the Hall of Fame's website at www.WBHOF.com. If you are interested in attending the Class of 2001 Induction Ceremony, please call the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame at 865-633-9000. Three ticket packages are being offered: Induction Patron, $195; Table Sponsor, $1,500; and Host Committee, $2,500.
