Why women’s basketball will always love Dolly Parton
Why and how the late, great Dolly Parton is also a cultural icon for women’s basketball.
Dolly Parton, the acclaimed country singer, actress, and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 80 on August 25, 2026. Her legacy has been celebrated by numerous individuals, including athletes from the world of women's basketball. Former University of North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell recalls how Dolly once used her team locker room as her own dressing room before a concert during her time as a coach at Francis Marion University in South Carolina.
A note left behind by Dolly wishing the team good luck was credited as a motivating factor for their victory in the 1982 AIAW Division II national championship. In February 2024, Lipscomb University in Nashville honored Dolly by wearing pink rhinestone-accented uniforms, accompanied by an exhibit showcasing her life and work. Following her death, WNBA teams participated in tributes, with fans and players singing and dancing to Dolly's classic hit "9 to 5" during games.
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