• Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Release/Induction Information
Sally Bell, OVC Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials, is among six members to be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
Bell spent 33 years as a women's basketball official which included 15 NCAA Division I Women's Final Fours, including 13 consecutive from 1992 through 2004, as well as the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She was also named the 1991 Naismith Women's Basketball Official of the Year.
She has served as the OVC's Coordinator of Women's Basketball Officials since March 2011. She also works with the Atlantic Sun, Southeastern, Southland, Southwestern Athletic and Sun Belt Conferences.
The Dublin, Georgia native received a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in 1975 and a master's degree from North Georgia College in 1981. Her international officiating experience includes the 2000 Olympic Exhibition in Honolulu, Hawaii; 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia; 1993 World University Games in Buffalo, New York; and 1990 World Championships in Malaysia. She also served as a member of the U.S. Olympic Selection Committee for officials from 1996-2004.
The Class of 2017, who also includes Christine Grant (contributor), Rick Insell (coach), Louise O'Neal (veteran), Sheryl Swoopes (player), and Kara Wolters (player), will be inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, receiving their coveted Eastman Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring, on June 10, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. With the induction of the Class of 2017, the Hall of Fame has honored 157 inductees.
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted each year and which groups will be honored as "Trailblazers of the Game." Voting is based on minimum candidate requirements, which include record of performance, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women's basketball.