Kim Mulkey and Dawn Staley first crossed paths over 35 years ago in a memorable encounter on the basketball court. The year was 1988, and the stage was set for a showdown between the Virginia women’s basketball team and the formidable Louisiana Tech squad.

Virginia, a young and energetic team ranked No. 7 in the country, was on the road to face No. 3 Louisiana Tech, a physical powerhouse in women’s college basketball. The game took place at the Thomas Assembly Center, but before the match, the Virginia team encountered an unexpected obstacle – bees swarming the court. Despite the unusual pre-game challenge, the game went on as scheduled.

The Cavaliers, led by promising freshman guards Tammi Reiss and Dawn Staley, put up a strong fight, taking an early lead. However, Louisiana Tech, under the guidance of future Hall-of-Famer Leon Barmore and his protege, assistant coach Kim Mulkey, rallied back and secured a decisive victory with a final score of 88-66.

For Mulkey, it was an opportunity to witness the talent of Staley and Reiss firsthand. Staley, just 18 years old at the time, showcased her skills by scoring a team-high 19 points during the game. Reflecting on the experience, Mulkey expressed her admiration for the Virginia guards, referring to them as ‘two bad women in their backcourt.’

While Virginia ultimately fell short in that game, Staley and Reiss went on to lead the program to three Final Fours, leaving a lasting impact on the college basketball scene. Despite the defeat, the encounter marked the beginning of a storied rivalry between Staley and Mulkey, both of whom would later achieve remarkable success in their coaching careers.

The meeting between Staley and Mulkey on December 10, 1988, served as a pivotal moment in their respective journeys within the world of basketball. It laid the foundation for a relationship that would continue to evolve over the years, shaping the landscape of women’s basketball.