(Courtesy of WBHOF Communications) - Cynthia Lynn Cooper-Dyke, Prairie View A&M's head women's basketball coach, was officially inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall Of Fame this past weekend in Knoxville, Tenn. She was joined in the honor with fellow inductees Jennifer Azzi, Jennifer Gillom, Sonja Hogg, Jill Hutchison, and Ora Washington.

In a weekend full of festivities, the Class of 2009 was recognized for a lifetime of achievements in women's basketball and received the coveted "Eastman" award as the newest group of inductees into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. With the Class of 2009, the WBOF now proudly boasts 1009 inductees.

The weekend began with a private welcome reception, unveiling of exhibits in the Hall of Honor, and storytelling session hosted by ESPN's Debbie Antonelli. Saturday's events started bright and early as the WBHOF hosted its inaugural 4Kay Run/Walk in memory of the late Women's Basketball Hall of Famer Kay Yow. Approximately 300 people showed up to remember Kay Yow and all of those who have courageously battled breast cancer. All proceeds went to the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. Marsha Sharp, Executive Director of the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund and 2003 WBHOF inductee, was in attendance to start the race with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

Finally, Saturday night, the Class of 2009 hit the red carpet at the Bijou Theatre and was officially inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Antonelli, who is also on the WBHOF Board of Directors, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. As the inductees thanked all the influential people in their lives and spoke about their journey to the WBHOF, there was not a dry eye in the theatre. The weekend concluded with a celebration at the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

Cooper-Dyke is agruably the greatest women's basketball player of all-time. She is a two-time NCAA champion with USC in 1982-83 and 1983-84, followed up by a 1985-86 finals appearance where she was named to the All-Tournament team. Cooper went on to play internationally, and won a gold medal in 1988 and bronze medal in 1992 representing the United States in the Olympics.

Cooper-Dyke is most known for putting the WNBA on the map. She was a four-time champion with the Houston Comets and named regular season league MVP twice.

Visit the SWAC "Photo Gallery" for more pictures from the 2009 Women's Basketball Hall of Fame weekend.

All photos courtesy of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, Knoxville, TN