9 Things The UConn Women’s Team Never Had To Deal With

The Huskies are an irrepressible force. But before they could become a dynasty with 11 national titles, teams like the 1931-32 national champion Oklahoma Presbyterian College Cardinals – the Dust Bowl Girls - had to pave the way. And it was a tough road.

1. Practice starting at 4 a.m. The heat being turned on at 5 a.m. In the dead of winter.

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2. The sophomore guard driving the team bus. Fixing it, too.

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It was an ancient crank bus (like the one above) that always stalled. But Juanita “Bo-Peep” Park had been driving since she was 11 – because she was tall enough to reach the pedals - and was an expert.

3. The First Lady calling their sport "a cancer that must be killed."

Lou Henry Hoover, wife of President Herbert Hoover, created the Women’s Division of the National Amateur Athletic Federation to combat the bad tendencies of competitive women’s athletics and promote a national interest in the “right” kind of sports and games for girls.

4. Singing to get funding for the team.

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There was no financial support from the college so the players had to charm bankers, store owners and car dealers for sponsorship. That included singing the school song, backup Buena Harris’ soprano voice leading the way.

5. Competing in beauty contests.

And this was at their national AAU tournament, no less! After all, the AAU had to uphold that “ladylike” image. In 1930, Cardinals team captain Verna Montgomery won the beauty contest.

6. Playing with six on a team.

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The additional player was a guard, which meant a whole lot of defense and much less scoring.

7. Only being allowed to dribble below the knee.

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8. Offense and defense being separate. And staying on their own sides of the court.

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9. Facing the legendary Babe Didrikson.

And the Cardinals defeated her!