One of the dominant teams in the history of Canadian university women's basketball, it won the Canadian University championship with a 24 – 1 record. At the two game National Championship tournament it won the title outscoring the opposition by a combined 117 – 59 score. The roster boasted seven National Team members including four future Olympians – this extraordinary talent combined with dedication, conditioning, enthusiasm and teamwork creating a team far and away the best in the country. Team Members: Bev Bland (Preston), Bev Barnes, Jan Gee (Kainer), Joanne Sargent, Vicki Williams (Jury), Debbie Phelan, Liz Silcott, Wendy Grant, Laurie Watson. Kathy Burdett (Lambert), Peggy Robinson. Coach – Norm Vickery, Manager – Jo Hinchliffe, Manager – Heather Butcher (Lennie)
During the early 1970s UBC dominated Canadian university women's basketball. For the five years between 1969/70 and 1973/74 UBC's teams won four national championships which also included a Canadian Senior 'A' title. This era also saw the formation of official national university championships for women's basketball, a concept launched for the 1971/72 season. Therefore, the first three CIS champions in this sport were the UBC Thunderbirds or Thunderettes as they were then known.
All three of these victorious teams were strong as they were components of this era in which UBC dominated. However, one team, the 1972/73 squad, seems to stand out. To start, six of the eleven players on this team were members of the previous year's national champions including four future (1976) Olympians. In fact, an amazing seven players on this team were members of Canada's National Team. It would win the 72/73 Canada West and CIS championships with a 24 – 1 won/loss record and when it reached the CIS final four for the national championship, UBC won the two game playoff series by a combined 117 – 59 score. In the final, UBC scored a 50 – 20 victory over Manitoba and in the process recorded the second largest final game margin in victory in CIS women's basketball history. (as of 2000)
UBC started the season by overpowering the University of Victoria, considered its toughest opposition, by a two game combined score of 102 to 65. Future Olympian and professional player Liz Silcott along with Wendy Grant led the offense in this series.
UBC defeated its next opponent, University of Lethbridge, by 30 points as Silcott, Debbie Phelan and UBC Hall of Famer Joanne Sargent provided the bulk of the scoring.
The Norm Vickery - coached Blue & Gold moved to 8 – 0 with a pair of victories over the University of Alberta by a combined 114 to 52 score. The dominance was led scoring-wise by Wendy Grant and future Olympians Bev Barnes and Bev Bland.
The 'Birds record evolved to 15 – 1 as they prepared to defend their national title. It was their year-round dedication to the sport, particularly conditioning that helped keep them the class of Western Canada. "Two a day intense practices . . . runs to the "gates" after 2 ½ hour practices . . . runs up and down the Wreck Beach hills after practice . . . and the practices were intense too" remembers Debbie Phelan. Clever coaching and deep talent – seven national team members – also contributed greatly.
At the CIS national finals in Montreal, UBC with only one loss all season, overwhelmed Dalhousie in the semi-final 67 – 39 and in the final crushed Manitoba 50 – 20. " . . . to defend our title and bring the Bronze Baby home again" beams Phelan. In that final game captain Joanne Sargent received a standing ovation from the Montreal crowd for her outstanding play and consistent effort.
Interviewed after the championships, coach Vickery felt this team was the best and most dedicated group of players he had ever coached. He stated it was the player's enthusiasm, ability to work together as a team and the ball control of the guards that carried them to the national championship. This team and victory was yet another indication and excellent example of women's athletics at this time growing in stature and improving at UBC.
The following summer Vickery coached Canada's team, comprised largely of this 72/73 UBC team, at the 1973 international Student Games in Moscow.
Upon the team's 2008 induction into the UBC Sports Hall of Fame, Jan Gee (Kainer) said, "I think we're most appreciative (of this honour) because we worked really hard and were not recognized at the time. We're proud of what we did and pleased that the girls teams of today are getting the recognition they deserve."
Researched and written by Fred Hume, UBC Athletics Historian
