Dana Hart, the president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, is retiring after 23 years in her role.
Hart, who started working at the WBHOF in 2002, will shift into a consulting role.
“It has been my honor to serve as president of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and help fulfill the official mission of ‘Honor the Past, Celebrate the Present, Promote the Future,’ ” Hart said in a press release on Feb. 4. “So many people have been dedicated to our sport, and its legendary players, coaches and leaders, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this incredible institution for 23 years.
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“My service and dedication to the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame have been an important part of my life, and I know the Hall will continue to thrive and shine a spotlight on everything that makes women’s basketball so special.”
The WBHOF board of governors will begin the process to select the next president. Hart is staying involved for the induction of the 2026 class and will assist in the transition to new leadership. The 2026 class is headlined by Lady Vols legend Candace Parker, and will be inducted on June 27 at the Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville.
Parker will be joined by WNBA great Elena Delle Donne, Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve and NBA analyst Doris Burke, international players Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro, Kirkwood Community College coach Kim Muhl and veteran player Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, who’s being honored posthumously.
Hart was promoted to president of the WBHOF in 2008. She oversaw nearly 30 exhibits at the hall that were updated on a regular basis. One of the final additions under Hart’s leadership was the permanent exhibit to honor legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, which opened in June 2025.
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Hart graduated from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, which is the second-oldest women’s college in the country. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a minors in women’s studies and fashion.
“On behalf of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, we thank Dana Hart for 23 years of hard, dedicated work to the Hall,” Board of Trustee Chair Chris Plonsky said. “Her stewardship efforts have served inductees, players, coaches, contributors, stakeholders and fans of the sport.
“Youngsters who tour the Hall visualize their dreams of emulating those who have been appropriately immortalized in the only Hall of Fame exclusively dedicated to all levels of women’s basketball. We appreciate Dana contributing as Hall leaders embark upon completing this staff transition. “
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social‬. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dana Hart retires as Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame president
