KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Women's Basketball League (WBL) earned recognition from the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame on June 9 at the Hall of Fame's 2018 induction ceremony. The WBL was added to the Hall of Fame's "Trailblazers of the Game" display as gratitude for its contributions to the game.
Two former Flames, Lisa Thomas (1975-79) and Toni (Stachon) Paolini (1977-78), participated in the WBL as members of the Chicago Hustle. The WBL was the first professional women's basketball league in the United States, playing three seasons from 1978 to 1981. Both Thomas and Paolini were inductees to UIC's Hall of Fame in 1991.
Toni (Stachon) Paolini was a member of the 1977-1978 women's baskeball team that went 16-6. As team captain in her final season, Paolini led the squad in assists with 105 and averaged 14.6 points per game. Paolini finished her career with 1,071 points and 633 rebounds.
During her sophomore year, Paolini recorded 390 points and 262 rebounds and was invited to tryout for the 1976 U.S. Olympic team. After UIC, Paolini continued her basketball career with the Chicago Hustle and the Minnesota Fillies of the Women's Professional Basketball League.
Thomas recorded 1,065 rebounds during her four-year campaign at UIC. Thomas had UIC's second best single season rebound mark at the time with 363 during 1976-77. Thomas was named co-captain her junior year and captain her senior year.
Thomas amassed 1,211 career points and 403 field goals in her Flames career. After her time at UIC, Thomas went on to play for the Chicago Hustle of the Women's Professional Basketball League for more than two years.
The WBL joined eight other teams and organizations that have been recognized as "Trailblazers of the Game."
Click on the video below to view an interview with Thomas on being one of the League's trailblazers.
