August 7, 2006• Colorado Springs, Colorado

During the national team's barnstorm of college's the team found time for a big fan, Preident Bill Clinton. Following a meet and greet, the team joined the Pres. for a jog.

Few athletes can stake a claim of being part of a history altering moment.

However, that was exactly the opportunity 11 American women were given in 1995- the opportunity to help change the landscape of women's basketball in the United States.

The 11 selected were among America's very best. Included were USA and international veterans Teresa Edwards, a three-time Olympian who would go on to become a five-time Olympian, and Katrina McClain, who capped off her third Olympics in 1996 with gold. Also on the team were Jennifer Azzi, part of 1994 and 1998 USA World Championship teams; Ruthie Bolton, who would also win Olympic gold in 2000; Lisa Leslie, who is now a three-time Olympic gold medalist and still a member of the USA National Team; Rebecca Lobo, who won an NCAA national Championship prior to joining the USA National Team; Nikki McCray, who also competed and won Olympic gold in 2000; Carla Mcghee, who recently was named the WNBA Director of Player Personnel; Dawn Staley, who is now a three-time Olympian and an assistant coach for the USA National Team; Katy Steding, who won her only Olympic gold in 1996; and Sheryl Swoopes, who has won three Olympic gold medals and still a part on the USA National Team.

Head Coach of the 1995-96 USA National Team was Tara VanDerveer of Stanford University, she was assisted by Renee Brown of Kansas and Nell Fortner of Louisiana Tech. Every player and coach on the team agreed to put their current lives on hold for almost a full year as the USA Team trained and traveled together, playing games, promoting the USA team, and doing whatever it took to add positive views of their sport.

Pre-1995 women's basketball in America was looked at by the general population as an amateur sport, nothing more. Attempts to improve American female basketball had failed in the late seventies when the Women's Professional Basketball League folded in 1981, after just three years.

The WPBL lacked support from fans and corporateAmerica, which equated to no money for owners or players. Leagues overseas offered far more money and advantages than anything offered in the States. So the players, facing a lack of viable options, took the money and enjoyed the fame they received in the international leagues, but still represented their country through USA Basketball when possible.

The USA women won gold at the 1984 and ‘88 Olympics, as well as the 1986 and ‘90 World Championships, but in 1992 the women took bronze. They followed that performance with another bronze at the 1994 World Championship. With no Americans playing regularly in the States for well over a decade, and coming off of consecutive bronze medals at major world tournaments, a change had to be made.

"When we were playing in other countries it never felt like home, even though we were treated very well," McGhee said. "This team was started because everyone got sick of losing, and we knew if we had a team, not just a group of players that hadn't played together before, but an actual team, then we knew we were going to make a huge statement.

I just don't think any of us realized that the change USA Basketball made would be this significant now."

The decision to establish the USA Women's Senior National Team was made primarily to improve USA Basketball's results in international basketball. But it also had a huge side effect, that being to improve women's basketball in America on an all-around level.

Head coach Tara VanDerveer speeks in fromt of national leaders in Washington, as members of congress and the National Team stand behind her. Interacting with political leaders was one way of exposing the entire nation to U.S. women's basketball. (Photo: Mark Finkenstaedt, NBA Photos)

The USA Senior National Team featured a one-year commitment from 11 athletes who were asked to assist America in realizing the positives in women's basketball. In accepting the invite to join the USA Senior National Team, the ladies gave up more money, they worked harder and accepted the challenge and responsibility USA Basketball had offered them.

The decision they made helped change the landscape of women's professional basketball throughout the world.

"I like to think this team was a catalyst that helped expose what's great about women's basketball, and how great the American women are," VanDerveer said. "I think the process had begun somewhat to increase the popularity of the game, but this team helped to accelerate the process."

From October 1995 through July 1996 the USA National Team played all over the United States and the world in exhibition games that helped them prepare for the 1996 Olympics, and which also promoted their sport and the movement itself.

Not only did the athletes prove they could play at a high level over a demanding schedule, going 60-0 throughout the year and taking gold at the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996, but they also proved they could sell their lifestyle.

The plan worked in every way possible. For the first time since the early 1980s professional women's basketball leagues were established in America, endorsement deals were now possible for women's basketball players, and most of all Olympic gold was back in America. For the players and coaches involved it was more than a time of just winning games.

"The biggest thing that I remember about that year is the bond that we had," Staley said. "We had an incredible bond. We'd go out and eat dinner and have positive experiences and thoughts. We genuinely enjoyed each other's company and that helped to build team chemistry and to be as successful as we were."

The 60 games the team played included a barnstorm of the top college teams in the nation, as well as some international trips, which stretched from Russia to Australia. The barnstorm of the colleges was used to help get the word out about the team, to build a foundation of support and awareness, and to set the table for what would come in the years ahead.

"Those girls worked that year, they really got things going for women's basketball, it was a great time," said Katie Smith, two-time Olympic gold medalist, and member of the 1996 WBCA College All-Star Team that played the Senior National Team. "Just watching what they did, the way they led by example and showed all of us what is needed to be successful. They did so much by helping establish leagues (in America), and also with their marketing to get themselves more known."

While in the midst of their tour the athletes were able to land endorsement deals most had never imagined would be possible for a woman in America. Rebecca Lobo, the youngest player on the team inked the first shoe deal ever, with Reebok, for a women's basketball player, playing in America. Her signing was shortly followed by Nike signing now three-time Olympic gold medalist Sheryl Swoopes to a deal, which included Swoopes having her own shoe, Air Swoopes. Edwards also carried a Converse shoe deal, but played overseas.

Other main stream brands such as Sears and modeling agencies, such as Wilhelmina modeling, which signed Lisa Leslie, were additional major sponsors that chose to put their money towards the USA National Team. There are many current WNBA players who now have endorsement deals that may not have been possible without the pioneering of the 1995-96 USA National Team.

More than any shoe contract or modeling deal, the biggest impact the 1995-96 USA National Team had was on the game itself.

In 1996 the American Basketball League (ABL) was established. It was hoped that this would become the first women's basketball league that would actually stick in America. But when the National Basketball Association realized the new popularity of the sport it didn't take long for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) to begin.

While the ABL folded after two and a half seasons, the WNBA is currently in its 10th season, and currently has 14 teams throughout the nation. Without the pioneering of the 1995-96 USA National Team, many believe the WNBA would never have become successful as it has been.

"I truly think that without the (1995-96 USA National Team) the WNBA, and just basketball in general, would not be where it is today," McGhee said. "Not only is basketball different in America with the WNBA, but it's different all over the world. Now the best players in the world want to come here to play, because they know America is the best place for basketball. We just keep improving, and the rest of the world has just continued to chase the USA since that team."

Another reason the USA has continued success in international basketball can be contributed to the type of basketball coach VanDerveer and her staff implored the 1995-96 USA National Team team to play.

Along with Lisa Leslie and Dawn Staley, Sheryl Swoopes has been a part of USA Basketball since the 95-96 National Team. They each have three Olympic gold medals and will look to lead the USA to gold at the World Championship next month, Staley as an assistant coach, Leslie and Swoopes as a player. (Photo: Sam Forencich, NBA Photos)

"We showed people what the pure sense of basketball looks like," VanDerveer said. "During that year I got letters from coach (John) Wooden and coach (Bobby) Knight telling me that the way we played is how basketball is supposed to be played. We trained so well that year, and we shot well, it was just an outstanding team in every way."

Since 1995-96 the USA Women's Senior National Team has not lost a major world tournament, winning three Olympic gold medals and two World Championship gold medals. Even more impressive, the U.S. has gone a perfect 42-0 during that time in the Olympics and World Championships.

With the 2006 FIBA World Championship beginning September 12 in Sao Paolo, Brazil, the women, including two 1995-96 USA National Team members in Leslie and Swoopes, will attempt to make it six straight. Also part of the 2006 National Team is Staley, who is now an assistant coach for USA Basketball.

"We can't rest on our laurels, we have to continue to dominate," Smith said, a member of the 2006 USA Senior National Team. "USA Basketball and the (1995-96 USA National Team) taught us how to win, now 10 years later we're still on top. We've got to continue to teach the young players how to win at this level, it's fun, but it's also a responsibility we now have."