Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball

by Pamela Grundy, Susan Shackelford

Overview

American women’s basketball has reached new peaks of interest and popularity, thanks to spellbinding athletes, exhilarating games, and a vibrant, empowered vision of womanhood. Shattering the Glass stands as the definitive history of the sport. Combining extensive historical research with dozens of oral history interviews, Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford bring life and depth to stories of the many generations of female athletes who have fought for liberation on and off the court.

In this new and substantially expanded edition, Grundy and Shackelford provide a fresh view of the sport that extends to the present. They chart the expanding visibility of college programs, the growing dynamism of the WNBA, and players' courageous leadership on social issues such as sexuality and race, drawing on the actions and reflections of stars such as Seimone Augustus, Kim Mulkey, Brittney Griner, Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Breanna Stewart, Dawn Staley, and Caitlin Clark. The result is a compelling story of women’s empowerment through sport over the past century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781469674780
Publisher:	The University of North Carolina Press
Publication date:	02/18/2025
Edition description:	Revised Edition
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Pamela Grundy is a historian and author who lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her previous books include Teaching U.S. History through Sport and Color and Character: West Charlotte High and the American Struggle over Educational Equity.

Susan Shackelford runs her own writing and editing business and is the author of Hoops and Heroes: The Inspiring History of Army West Point Women’s Basketball. She is a former sportswriter at the Miami Herald and the Charlotte Observer. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Note on Citation     ix
Introduction     1
Origins, 1892-1920
College Ladies on the Court     9
Grassroots Rise and Decline, 1920-1960
High School Girls Spur the Sport     37
Black Women Embrace the Game     61
Crowning National Champions     85
A Man's Game     109
Title IX and College Competition, 1960-1993
Keeping the Flame Alive     127
The Fight for Title IX     145
Growing Pains     171
Dazzling Moves, Spinning Wheels     193
The Big Time? 1993-2004
Marshaling Momentum     215
Conclusion: Shattering the Glass     247
Acknowledgments     259
National Champions     263
Notes     267
Bibliography     281
Index     291

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A remarkable look at the diversity and richness of this beautiful game.”—Dawn Staley, three-time Olympic gold medalist

“Filled with vivid characters and heart-stopping moments.”—Jacqueline Dowd Hall, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

“This nonstop romp through hoops history is not only lively storytelling but a fascinating window on race, gender, and class on and off the court.”—Robert Lipsyte, novelist and former New York Times columnist

Editorial Reviews

“[An] accessible historical review of women’s basketball. . . . A particularly important contribution is the racial history of the game and the resulting cultural impact, which also highlights the struggles of other groups, such as LGBTQ+. . . . Highly recommended.”—CHOICE

“A must-read for anyone who loves the game. Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford introduce us to the women who opened the gymnasium doors for generations to come.”—Rebecca Lobo

“When it comes to women’s sports, people don’t know enough about us. Now doors are opening. People are able to see us, they're able to hear us. We're about to move light years ahead. We need to bring our history with us.” —Seimone Augustus, four-time WNBA champion

“Deeply researched and deftly written, Shattering the Glass lovingly preserves the history of the women who fought for their place on the court. Covering the game from its infancy to the current moment of ascendance, this seminal work is filled with stories you won’t soon forget. A must-read.”—Kate Fagan, sports journalist and coauthor of Hoop Muses

"A fascinating read about the history of women’s basketball, including the many challenges girls and women have overcome to play a game they love. As I read I kept saying to myself, 'That sure feels familiar.' Thank you to the authors for chronicling this incredible journey.”—Coach Tara VanDerveer, three-time national champion, Stanford University

“This highly entertaining work takes us on a journey from our humble beginnings in bloomers to the heights we are finally achieving. It tells a story of relentless determination and pioneering players and coaches who blazed the trail for us to follow.”—Coach Muffet McGraw, two-time national champion, Notre Dame

“My journey in women’s basketball has shown me that the greatest victories aren’t won just on the court but in the hearts and minds of those who believe in the power of women’s sports. 'Shattering the glass' means you have done something no one else has done, and opened up all the possibilities for our future.”—Nancy Lieberman, two-time Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer

“Shattering the Glass is the definitive work on women’s basketball history.... All readers will benefit from considering the links the book draws between sports and changing visions of womanhood, race, class, region, and sexuality.”—Brad Austin, coeditor of Teaching U.S. History Through Sports

From the Publisher