Inge Nissen to be inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame


FIU women’s basketball Associate Head Coach Inge Nissen has been named to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2012, as announced during the WNBA All-Star Game in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, July 23.

The six members of the Class of 2012 are Nancy Fahey (coach), Nikki McCray (player), Pam McGee (player), Inge Nissen (player), Robin Roberts (contributor) and Dawn Staley (player).

Nissen, who enters her 23rd season with the Panthers, has been essential to Head Coach Cindy Russo in recruiting and building a nationally-recognized women’s basketball program at FIU.

After joining the staff as an assistant coach in 1989, Nissen was promoted to associate head coach prior to the 1992 season. Since then, Nissen and Russo have compiled an impressive 357-206 (.634) record, and have guided the Panthers to six NCAA Tournaments and five appearances in the Women’s NIT, most recently in 2005-06.

Prior to joining the coaching staff at FIU, Nissen had an astounding playing career both collegiately and professionally. A native of Denmark, Nissen was one of the top amateur players in Europe in the early 1970s. During that time, she played an important role on five national championship teams with Denmark (1972), Norway (1973) and France (1974, 1975 and 1985). In 1976, Russo – a former assistant coach at Old Dominion University – recruited Nissen to ODU.

Nissen helped the Lady Monarchs to a top-15 national ranking all four years. She led Old Dominion to the WNIT Championship in 1978 as the team finished the season No. 12 in the final national rankings by the Associated Press. She then capped her collegiate career by leading the Lady Monarchs to AIAW National Championships in 1979 and 1980. From 1976-80, Kodak, WNIT and the National Scouting Association honored Nissen as an All-American. She was the team’s MVP during the 1978, 1979 and 1980 seasons as well as the Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year in 1980.

Nissen finished her career as the school’s all-time leader in points (2,647) and rebounds (1,459) — marks that rank second in the ODU record book today. Her single-game career high of 28 rebounds remains a school record as does her 148 free throws made in a single season and her 518 career free throws. Twice, she scored more than 40 points in a game, and her 20 field goals during the WNIT remains a tournament record. Eight times as a collegian, Nissen scored 32 points or more in a game — five of those times coming in the postseason.

Nissen was inducted into the Old Dominion Hall of Fame in 1985 and her jersey, No. 42, is one of only five numbers to be retired by ODU. She was selected to ODU’s All-Time Lady Monarch squad, as voted by fans on the University’s athletic website, in 2006. Nissen was also honored as one of ESPN.com’s top-25 players of the pre-NCAA era for her accomplishments with the Lady Monarchs.

Nissen received her bachelor’s degree in French Literature from Old Dominion in 1990. Nissen and her husband, Lance Bennett, live in Perrine, Fla.

The Class of 2012 will be formally introduced at the 2011 State Farm Tip-Off Classic. Details for the 2011 SFTOC and the 2012 WBHOF Induction will be announced at a later date.

With the addition of the Class of 2012, the list of individuals who have been recognized as Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductees will increase to 127.

The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors serves as the selection committee in determining which individuals will be inducted each year. Voting is based on various factors, which may include moral character, integrity, sportsmanship, record of performance, ability, national or international recognition, and contributions to the game of women’s basketball.

In order to be considered for selection for induction, an individual must meet the following prerequisites:

Player: Must be retired from the highest level of play for at least five years

  • Coach: Must have coached the women’s game at least 20 years
  • Referee: Must have officiated the women’s game at least 10 years
  • Contributor: Must have significantly impacted the game of women’s basketball

For information regarding the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the State Farm Tip-Off Classic, and the 2012 Induction Ceremony please visit www.wbhof.com.

— Courtesy of FIUSports.com

 

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