KNOXVILLE - On November 27, 2022, Illinois State legend Cathy Boswell found out that she would officially be a member of the 2023 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame class. However, she would have to wait just a little over six months for the day to come where she would join the prestigious the 24th class of inductees by the WBHOF.
With the Class of 2023, the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame now holds 192 Hall of Fame inductees, including Redbird legend Jill Hutchison, a women's basketball innovator, who coached Boswell at Illinois State. The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999.
The first celebration of the year came in early April at the 2023 NCAA Women's Final Four and Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Convention in Dallas, Texas. The class of 2023 inductees were honored with a mid-court recognition during halftime of the Final Four matchup between LSU and Virginia Tech.
After Final Four weekend concluded, the Class of 2023 returned to their respective homes before convening back down in Knoxville on April 28 to start the 2023 Hall of Fame weekend.
The weekend began on Friday with an Inductee Private Tour of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor before taking part in the Baron Rings Class of 2023 and Basketball Presentation.
Shortly after, the media would have a chance to talk to the Class of 2023 in a media session before the inductees would join past inductees and WBHOF Board members in a private reception to end the day.
Then, came the day everyone had been waiting nearly half a year for, April 29.
Early that morning, Boswell joined the rest of the induction class of 2023 for a public autograph session prior to the evening's festivities. The evening began for the honorees with a VIP reception before the night shifted its attention to the Tennessee Theatre for the 2023 Induction ceremony.
With the room filled with women's basketball's finest and introductions were complete, emcee Debbie Antonelli (HOF class of 2022) took to the podium. To began the festivities, the 2023 Trailblazer of the Game Award was bestowed upon the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) as 2023 Love of the Game Award was received by the Dust Bowl Girls. After both awards were given out, it was officially time to induct the 2023 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame class.
As the night came to an end and the awards ceremony came to a close, those in attendance took one more opportunity to congratulate the newest members of the Hall of Fame before the night ended back at the WBHOF building with a post induction ceremony.
For Boswell, it was a time to be thankful for all the game of basketball has done for her, from the Joilet West Tigers to the 1984 Olympics, and the lasting memories she gained while being a Redbird and representing the University.
In a career filled with numerous accolades and honors, this was surely the crowning achievement for Boswell career that can be described as legendary.
