The NBA Finals date back to 1947 (when they were known as the Basketball Association of America Finals) and the very 1st NCAA tourney was held in 1939. Olympic basketball competition is even older: it debuted as a demonstration event in 1904 and the men’s version became a medal sport in 1936, with the women finally getting their chance to go for the gold in 1976. The United States has dominated Olympic basketball competition from the start: the men have won 15 gold medals in the 18 tournaments they have participated in during the past 84 years, while the women have won 8 gold medals in the 10 tournaments in which they have competed during the past 44 years. Those of you who were looking forward to the 2020 Olympics opening ceremonies in Tokyo on July 24, 2020 will have to wait an extra 364 days, as the coronavirus caused a postponement until July 23, 2021. Due to the absence of college basketball since mid-March, HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel decided to fill the void by trying to interview as many prior Olympic players/coaches as possible so that you have something to read this summer while not watching the Summer Games. We continue our coverage by chatting with Cathy Boswell and her college coach Jill Hutchison about Cathy winning a gold medal in 1984. Today marks the 36th anniversary of Cathy scoring 4 PTS in an 85-55 win over Korea to clinch the gold medal. It is a “double medal” day as it is also the 28th anniversary of the US women beating Cuba 88-74 to clinch a bronze medal in 1992.
(photo credit: usab.com)
You graduated from Joliet West High School in only 3 years: what made you choose Illinois State, and was it a difficult adjustment as a 16-year old freshman? Cathy Boswell: One day I woke up as a junior in high school and decided that I wanted to be a student-athlete at Illinois State. I had been to ISU for summer camps and fell in love with the players/coaches/campus! I set out on this quest to see if I could do it…and I did! Thanks to the help/guidance/love of my family, and the fact that my mom was a high school guidance counselor, my will to move forward as a 16-year old freshman at ISU became a reality! It was very scary at first, especially academically, but I do not like to fail so I put everything I had into becoming the best student-athlete that I could. Jill Hutchison: Bos had a great experience at our summer camps and was especially influenced there by 1976 Olympian Charlotte Lewis. However, it was a huge jump to college at age 16. She had a great family who mentored her and good friends who helped her, especially during her freshman year. She had a sister on campus as well.
You used a fishing vest filled with buckshot to provide resistance training: how did you come up with the idea, and how did it help? CB: The weight vest idea came from a workout program that I had seen on a commercial. I thought about it and decided that I wanted to improve my speed/jumping ability/versatility. It actually worked and I noticed a big difference in my physical ability! JH: She trained vigorously on her own while playing in Germany following her ISU graduation. She got the idea by watching other athletes and trained on a hill with weights.
You graduated as the school’s all-time leader with 2005 PTS/1054 REB: how did you balance your scoring with your rebounding? CB: I just wanted to help my team be successful in every way so I did whatever I needed to do. I never thought about personal records or anything else. I did not even know that I was close to breaking the school career scoring record until they told me in my final career game against Kansas that I only needed 10 PTS to break it! JH: Bos played the 4-position for ISU and was a natural athlete. She was committed to rebounding as well as scoring.
You also remain in the top-10 in BLK/STL: what was your secret for being a great defender? CB: The secret to being a great defender is HEART and SACRIFICE! JH: Her defensive prowess improved during her 4 years. Her exposure to Coach Pat Summitt definitely motivated that effort. She was a good leaper and had nice anticipation on blocks and steals, especially steals off the ball.
You also hold multiple career shooting records with 59.9 FG%/84.8 FT%: what is the key to being a great shooter? CB: The key to being a great shooter is being willing to accept criticism/correction and to practice practice practice until it feels consistent: then you will see your percentages go up. JH: Bos had good form, knew her limits, and could score off the pass or create her own shot off the dribble. She did not force her offense but just took what came her way.
You were a 2-time WBCA All-American in 1982/1983: what did it mean to you to receive such outstanding honors? CB: I was always surprised and honored at the awards that were given to me. I always thought about my teammates and how I would never have been able to be the player/person I was without them. JH: The All-American recognitions were very meaningful to both Bos and her family. She worked hard for her success.
You played for Coach Hutchison on team USA at the 1983 World University Games: how did it feel to beat Hong Kong by a score of 134-23?! CB: Playing for Jill on team USA was a dream come true: she was stern and serious about our objective and what we needed to do to win the gold! She pushed us all (and me extra hard) so that we would work for our positions and not relax. I loved winning the gold medal and the experience I had with Jill as my coach with USA BASKETBALL! JH: I do not remember the Hong Kong game but I was definitely excited to take our “Select Team” and win the gold medal vs. most of the #1 teams in the world.
You played for team USA at the 1984 Olympics: what did it mean to you to represent you country, and what did it mean to you to win a gold medal? CB: I have been asked that question so many times and I can only say that words cannot describe the sensation of representing your country and winning a gold medal. JH: This was the pinnacle of her career. She was, and still is, extremely proud to have been an Olympian and a gold medalist. She was also proud to have played for Pat Summit/Kay Yow on that team in Los Angeles.
You spent almost 25 years as a pro basketball player/coach: how proud are you of your long career? CB: Being able to live abroad and play basketball for a living is a dream come true. I was so very happy playing/traveling, meeting people, learning new customs and languages that I decided to stay for 20+ years!! JH: Bos adapted extremely well to European basketball. She loved to play and found success everywhere she went. She became fluent in several languages as well while becoming part of the culture.
You are a member of several Halls of Fame (including Joliet West High School/Missouri Valley Conference/Illinois State) and your jersey hangs in the rafters of Redbird Arena: when people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? CB: I only want people to remember my smile and my passion for playing basketball as a student/athlete. JH: Cathy Boswell was an athletic woman who honed her skills over her career with hard work/commitment. She was a total player who contributed at both ends of the court, and in spite of her talent she was a great team player. Bos is a charismatic person who was always loved by coaches/teammates/fans/friends.