Western Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame
Brenda Johnson Hamilton (Women’s Basketball, 1974-77)
Recognized as the first African-American women’s basketball player at Western Carolina, she is also among the first female student-athletes of color at WCU. Finished her career with 1,343 points and a school-record 1,018 career rebounds – the only player to date to surpass 1,000 in both career categories. Holds the top two single-season rebounding totals including the record of 323 in 1976-77. Was credited with 20 or more rebounds in a game four times – the only player to accomplish the feat more than once – which included a school record 26 against Mars Hill in January 1977. Was a two-time All-State selection in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW), the predecessor of the NCAA for women’s athletics, and was named to the US Collegiate Women’s All-Star team in 1975.
