Retha Swindell facts for kids

Retha Swindell is a famous American athlete who used to play basketball. She made history as the first Black woman to join the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team. She was also one of the first two players from the UT women's basketball program to be named an All-American. During her time playing, she scored an amazing 1,795 points and grabbed 1,759 rebounds!

Growing Up and High School Sports

Retha Swindell was born and grew up in Texas. She went to Center High School. In high school, she was great at both track and basketball.

Amazing Track and Field Records

In 1973, Retha set a national record in track and field. She jumped 37 feet, 10 inches in a special event. The next year, she won first place in several other jumps. She won the high jump (4 feet, 10 inches). She also won the long jump (16 feet, 4 inches). And she won the triple jump (35 feet, 10 inches).

Basketball Star in High School

Besides track, Retha also played basketball. She played as a center for her high school team. She was named "all-district" for three years in a row. This means she was one of the best players in her local area. She was also named "all-state" for two years. This means she was one of the best players in the whole state! Because she was such a talented athlete, coach Rod Page asked her to join the Texas Longhorns women's basketball team. She even got academic scholarships to go to college.

College and Professional Career

After a new law called Title IX was passed, women's sports got more support. The Texas Longhorns women's basketball team became a varsity sport. This meant it was a main college sport, not just a club.

Playing for the Texas Longhorns

When Retha joined the team, she changed her position. She learned how to shoot the ball better. As a freshman, she almost made the 1976 Montreal Olympic women's basketball team. She made it to the very last tryout cuts!

In her junior year, Retha scored about 11 points in each game. In one game, she scored 19 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. After that season, she got to play on the United States international touring team. In her senior year, she was a team leader. She averaged 9.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She also led the team in blocked shots. Because of her great play, she was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the second time. Retha finished her college career with 1,795 points and 1,759 rebounds.

Playing Professionally

In June 1979, Retha was chosen to play professionally. She was drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Hustle team. This was part of the Women's Professional Basketball League.

After college, Retha played for the United States Select women's basketball team. She also played for two years in the Women's Professional Basketball League. She played one season with the Chicago Hustle. Then she was traded to the Milwaukee Express. After that team closed, she joined the Dallas Diamonds. She helped them reach the championship game.

Coaching and Recognition

In 1986, Retha became a head coach. She coached the girls' varsity basketball team at Robert E. Lee High School. In 2001, Retha was honored for her amazing college career. She was inducted into the University of Texas' Women's Athletics Hall of Honor. This means her achievements are remembered and celebrated.