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When the doors of Delta State opened in 1925, a group of enthusiastic girls approached Miss Julia Dale and Mr. A. L. Young with the hopes of establishing a girl's basketball team. After a fair first season, the teams second year proved to be better. In their third year, not only did the girls receive their new gymnasium, but they were also given the title "The Rabbit Foot Squad". As the legend goes, a spectator merely mentioned that the girls were on such a winning streak that they must have their "rabbit's foot". Even though those early enthusiastic crowds overwhelmed the newly constructed gymnasium, the team and the catchy new title lasted only until 1932. It seems that the philosophy of the early institution was that intercollegiate basketball for women could not be maintained. Forty years later, Delta State would again offer the women of campus the opportunity to play basketball. Ms. Margaret Wade initiated this second coming in 1972, and the seasons that followed brought the Lady Statesmen and Delta State into the national spotlight. | |
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| A graduate of Delta State Teacher's College, Margaret Wade was confirmed as an assistant professor of health, physical education, and recreation in September of 1959. Ms. Wade had played on one of the earlier teams when she was a student at Delta Teacher's College before the sport was removed from the campus.. When it was agreed that women's basketball should be reinstated, Dr. Lucas with assistance from Dr. Wyatt and Mr. Forest Wyatt, approached Ms. Wade with the proposition of heading the new team. Her success with her Cleveland High School teams had become almost legendary. Certainly the same could be said of her leadership of the Lady Statesmen. |
 Ms. Margaret Wade | |
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| For three years, 1975, 1976, and 1977, the Lady Statesmen lead the nation as champions in basketball. Perhaps the most impressive team consisted of five particular players: Debbie Brock, Ramona Von Boeckman, Wanda Hairston, Cornelia Ward, and Lusia Harris. Even though these five athletes found national attention, it was the play of the entire team each of the three years that allowed the Lady Statesmen to have such success.. In Ms. Wade's honor is named the Wade Trophy. It is the equivalent to the men's Heisman Trophy for football and is awarded to the most outstanding women's basketball player in the country. Women's basketball has continued exist as a thriving sport, bringing many spectators to campus. |
"M" Club Sweater circa 1929
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| Athletics has been a significant part of Delta State from its beginning. Before fraternities and sororities appeared on campus in the mid-sixties, a "fraternal" group of another type formed and included athletes who lettered in their respective sports. This prestigious group named themselves the "M" Club and was originally formed n the late twenties. The organization chose "M" as its emblem because, at the time, the name of the college was formally Mississippi Delta State Teacher's College. Throughout the years, the M Club has supported athletic achievements and outstanding athletes. The club is referred to today as the Athletic Club. |
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