UNCASVILLE ? Lin Dunn had already made history Saturday by being a part of the first female tandem to coach an All-Star Game in WNBA history with Cheryl Reeve.
But her day was even more special than that.
Dunn, the coach of the Eastern Conference and defending champion Indiana Fever, was named to the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2014.
"This is my 43rd year coaching basketball," Dunn said. "I've coached college and professional and even before Title IX [was enacted]. It's a moment in my career to reflect and look back. I'm humbled to be going into a Hall of Fame that many of my friends already belong."
The class was announced Saturday during halftime of the WNBA All-Star Game. Joining Dunn is former WNBA star Yolanda Griffith. Former collegiate All-Americans Michelle Edwards and Jasmina Perazic also will be inductees.
The other honorees are former TV analyst Mimi Griffin and former coach/athletic director Charlotte West.
Status Quo
During a 15-minute pregame media session, WNBA President Laurel Richie said the league is more interested in building the health of its 12 teams than worrying about expansion.
"We want to make sure those teams are as strong as they can be," Ritchie said. "I would say expansion is in the future, but we have not assigned a number [of teams] or date on [the process]."
"We're no different than any other league. Our goal is to bring more fans to the arenas. We look at our attendance figures, which are heading in the right direction. We look at our [corporate] sponsorships, which are heading in the right trajectory. We want to keep heading in that direction."
Ritchie would not comment about the future of player compensation, currently capped at $107,000 a year. That's because the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Players' Association is up for renegotiation after the season.
Female World
Dunn and Cheryl Reeve became the first female tandem to coach the All-Star Game in league history. ? ABC hooked up official Lamont Simpson with "Ref Cam," which was attached to his right temple on an intricate headband. ? The players wore their team warmup jerseys in an effort to personalize the franchises they represented. ... By playing in Saturday's game, Seattle's Tina Thompson set a WNBA record with her ninth All-Star Game appearance. She is retiring after the season. Tamika Catchings played in her eighth game Saturday, tying her with the retired Lisa Leslie for second place. ? Former UConn star Maria Conlon-Rinaldi had a prime front-row seat across from the East bench. She is one of Diana Taurasi's close friends dating to their championship careers with the Huskies. Conlon-Rinaldi is one of the 11 dignitaries being inducted into the inaugural Seymour Sports Hall of Fame in November. ? Seattle's Sue Bird, not playing this season while recovering from hip surgery, was also in the stands. ? Candace Parker's MVP marked the fifth time in 11 All-Star games that a Los Angeles player won the award. Lisa Leslie won three and Nikki Teasley won one.
Taurasi Issues Challenge
Diana Taurasi made news a few years ago by posing nude for ESPN The Magazine's "Body Issue," which features athletes in various stages of undress. This year's issue featured her former UConn and Olympic teammate, Swin Cash.
Taurasi was asked who won the contest.
"I mean, we can go full frontal if [Cash] wants," Taurasi said, laughing.
'Four Of Five'
Dunn, coach of the defending WNBA champion Fever, had to hold herself back at the end of the game as the West was pulling away for the win. She said she forgot for a moment that she was coaching an all-star game.
"One thing about me, I like to win," Dunn said. "We had five goals going into the game ? showcase it, give everyone quality minutes, have fun, no injuries and win. We got four of five. But it was tremendously hard at the end of the game and my assistant had to remind me this was an all-star game. I had blocked it out."
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