WBL Basketball Pioneers: Michelle McKenzie Q&A
This week, WNBA.com checks in with Michelle McKenzie, who played for the Dayton Rockettes and California Dreams in the WBL.
Up next: Ann Meyers Previously: Mariah Burton Nelson | Molly Bolin
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"In 1978, the night of our first game in Dayton, Ohio, I had mixed emotions. I was very excited that my dream of playing on a professional level had come true. I felt we had a lot of talent and that the city of Dayton wanted us there. I new we would be able to hold our own when playing against the other professional teams, with a good possibility of winning our games."
When did you start playing basketball and what were the opportunities?
"I started playing pick-up basketball in 1970 with my brother and the kids in the neighborhood on the weekends when we had privileges to visit with my Mom, who lived in an Apartment complex in the SE part of DC. I was still going to McKinley Tech High School, which was located in the NE part of town since we lived with my dad during the week. One day, I was just shooting around in the gym when one of the PE teachers came up to me and asked me if I was interested in playing girls intramural basketball for the school. She also wanted to know if I was a member of the G.A.A. (Girls Athletic Association). I told her no, because my family could not afford to pay the GAA membership, which was required to participate in extracurricular activities.
"A couple of days went by, and she called me into her office and told me that my membership was waived and asked if I would like to play for the school. The rest is history, because the next year DC offered games against the other high schools in the city and our team ended up playing in the Championship City Tournament, taking second place. I was awarded the Most Valuable Player award and my basketball career was off in a direction that, at the time, I was without vision or insight as to the potential or ultimate outcome. Playing basketball for a college, making the Olympic team, or being able to travel and see parts of the USA, I was very clueless. At that time I had no knowledge about Title IX, but I guess living in a big city such as Washington, DC, the development and implementation of the law was quick and easy to incorporate into DC school systems."
If you were playing in the WNBA now, which player would be the biggest challenge for you to match up against?
"If I were their age, with the opportunities they had to improve their skills to get to this level, scholarships, summer camps, etc., I would say maybe Lisa Leslie would be my biggest challenge. I wouldn�t hesitate to block her shot either."
Who is your favorite WNBA player to watch and why?
"I would say Sheryl Swoopes because of the fire in her eye, that determination look. I would bet she could fire up a team, no matter what the situation of circumstances."
Who were your basketball role models growing up?
"There were no female role models who played basketball while I was growing up. I admired, watched and cheered for the Capitol Bullets. Once I became a professional player, I studied the style of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Julius Irving and Magic Johnson. However, Althea Gibson, Billy Jean King and Wilma Rudolph�s athletic abilities helped me to look at my skills and talents and helped me to redefine my determination and drive to be one of the best."
Do you see yourself as a pioneer in the game?
"In my opinion, a pioneer is one who makes the first discovery or who has the first experience to set the pace and lay the groundwork for others to follow. In 1969, girls started to play the sport with less restrictive rules. We developed the mindset that said it was okay to be competitive, to want to win. By 1971, some colleges across the country were developing women�s athletic programs, but had yet to really start to give sports scholarships to young women. I worked my way through undergraduate school to get my first degree in teaching Physical Education. I carried a full load of classes and worked 20 hours per week in and outside of the school system to become successful in reaching that goal. Becoming a teacher was basically what my heritage did to contribute and recognized that profession as a �top of the line� career. Professional basketball for women became a reality in 1978 and until then, there were professional sports for women, but only in the arena of individual sports, not really with team sports."
What is the message you would like to give young girls who aspire to be basketball players?
"The message I give to young girls and boys who are hit with the passion of becoming a basketball player or any other type of athlete is to get a higher level of education that you can depend on once your basketball playing days are over. While you participate in sports, especially team sports, always play honest and clean, being true to yourself and your team members. Try not to quit a sport in the middle of a season. The things you learn during this time period in your life will stay with you forever and are the things in life which contribute to the foundation of who you really are from then on."
Where do you think the women's game will be in 25 years?
"I hope that it will continue to develop and grow into a dynasty like the NBA is today. Some of the variables might be women owners, playing above the rim and some form of virtual reality to bring the spectator into the game even more."