1982 was an eventful year. Britain’s Prince William was born, Disney’s Epcot opened, and Michael Jackson's Thriller was released. Many newsworthy events got their rightful 15 minutes, except for the Rutgers University Women’s Basketball team, who won the national championship but were ignored. Forty years later, the 1982 Women’s Basketball team finally received the recognition they have long deserved in the “Forgotten Champions” documentary.
Whoo-Rah Productions President and SC&I alumnus, Geoff Sadow JMS’84, said the film is meant to “celebrate one of the greatest moments in Rutgers Athletics history, a moment that has been ignored by the NCAA and the basketball establishment for 40 years.”
The movie’s premiere on October 8 was held at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC). The premiere was attended by the 1982 Women’s Basketball team, coaches, and their families, along with members of Rutgers Athletics, the Big Ten Conference, SC&I, and New Brunswick officials. The premiere’s date coincided with the 50th Anniversary of Title 9, the federal civil rights law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in academic settings.
"The film is meant to celebrate one of the greatest moments in Rutgers Athletics history, a moment that has been ignored by the NCAA and the basketball establishment for 40 years.”
“Forgotten Champions” was preceded by two panel discussions, where panelists talked about gender inequality, the history of Rutgers Women’s Basketball, and the team’s legacy. Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway, 1982 coach Teresa Grentz, 1982 co-captain Chris Daily, current head coach Coquese Washington, and current assistant coach and former player Tasha Pointer JMS’01 were just a few of the panel participants.
“The 1982 team encouraged each other to overcome factors that should have hindered their abilities,” said Pointer. At the panel, Pointer talked about how the 1982 team’s legacy and current team under Washington will “help propel Rutgers Athletics toward success.”
The event was emceed by Dom Savino JMS’18, one of the documentary’s producers. As an undergrad, Savino was the General Manager of the Rutgers radio station, WRSU, where he did a radio documentary about the 1982 team. After Sadow participated in Savino’s broadcast, he realized the Lady Knights’ story was worthy of a film. Savino was then invited to be part of the production team, where he traveled around the US to conduct interviews and research. “Forgotten Champions” is the first full-length feature project created solely by Whoo-Rah Productions.
“This team is yet another example of a women's sports team who never got its due. We knew we needed to tell the story of the 1982 Rutgers women's basketball team and all the drama, hardships, and comedy that came along with them,” explained Savino. “It was a privilege to be a part of the five-year journey that made the documentary a reality.”
Savino, Pointer, and Sadow are not the only SC&I members involved in the “Forgotten Champions” production. Savino’s former teacher, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in Journalism and Media Studies Neal Bennet was a videographer and post-production editor. Bennet brought on some of his students to assist with the project.
“‘Forgotten Champions’ will hopefully reignite the interest and advocacy for women’s equality in sports,” said Bennet. “For my students, the work they have been doing will be seen by thousands of people.”
“‘Forgotten Champions’ will hopefully reignite the interest and advocacy for women’s equality in sports,” said Bennet. “For my students, the work they have been doing will be seen by thousands of people.”
Bennet’s doctoral student, Khadijah-Awa Diop, was a production assistant at the premiere where she had the opportunity to interview the panelists.
“These types of events allow you to get hands-on experience while building your network and that is invaluable,” said Diop.
The SC&I alumni involved in the documentary’s production say that SC&I helped launch their successful careers.
“My JMS degree gave me the tools I needed to be a journalist and my relationships with JMS professors refined my skills,” said Savino. “Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Undergraduate Studies Steve Miller was an energetic supporter of my broadcasting pursuits. WRSU Broadcast Administrator Mike Pavlichko was a professor and mentor that’s grown into a good friend.”
To learn more about “Forgotten Champions” click here.
Discover more about the Journalism and Media Studies major and the Ph.D. Program at the Rutgers School of Communication and Information on the website.
Image courtesy of "Forgotten Chanpions."
