Women’s Professional Basketball League (1978-1981) Born: June 18, 1978 – WPBL founding franchise Folded: Postseason 1981 First Game: December 9, 1978 (W 92-87 @ Milwaukee Does) Last Game: April
The Dayton Rockettes were one of eight original franchises in the Women’s Professional Basketball League. The WBL, which debuted in December 1978, was the first professional basketball league for women, pre-dating the WNBA by nearly 20 years. Team owner Lou Deitelbaum stopped paying the bills by January, causing the league to re-possess the Dayton franchise on February 8th, 1979. The orphaned Rockettes struggled to finish out the final months of the 1978-79 season under league stewardship. The club disbanded after one season, finishing with a 12-22 record.
The Minnesota Fillies were one of eight founding franchises in the Women’s Professional Basketball League in 1978, which was the first pro hoops league for women in the United States. Minnesota was one of only three clubs, along with the Chicago Hustle and New Jersey Gems, that managed to survive for all three seasons of the WPBL’s existence from 1978 to 1981. The Fillies played their first two seasons at the Met Center before moving to Minneapolis Auditorium for their final campaign.
Women’s Basketball League All-Star Game February 9, 1981 Albuquerque Civic Auditorium Attendance: 3,378 Women’s Basketball League Programs 8 pages Background Very rare game program
Based out of Kiel Auditorium, the St. Louis Streak were a two-season entry in the Women’s Professional Basketball League, the first professional hoops league for female players. The Streak’s finest player was a 28-year old first-time pro from Canada named Liz Silcott. Silcott was viewed by many as an emotionally troubled, un-coachable player who loathed practice and had little interest in defense. She was also, without doubt, one of the most talented players of her era.
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