Jackie Smith Clark reflects with a smile on the memories that still warm her heart.
Her time as a member of Howard University's inaugural women's basketball team still resonates with her 50 years later.
"My fond memories include riding to games in the school van, spending our huge $3.00 dinner stipend after games, sticking together through thick and thin, cheering each other on, and receiving encouragement from our coaches, win or lose," Clark recalled.
Yes, $3.00 for dinner is modest by today's standards.
It was a different era, but those early struggles were necessary steps in laying the foundation for future generations of Howard's student-athletes. Howard's illustrious women's basketball tradition that features six NCAA tournament appearances, nine Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) regular-season titles, and 11 MEAC postseason tournament titles owe much to the sacrifices of the pioneering women of Howard's first team. 
United by their love of basketball and fierce competitive spirit, they pursued dreams that required uncommon courage, passion, resilience, and dedication. They treasured each practice, game, and shared moment, shaping the rich tapestry of Howard's hoops history.
As the bridge connecting 1974 to 2024, they found strength in each other. The camaraderie was unique.
"Being part of Howard women's basketball history as a member of the first team means so much to me," said Leslie McFarland, a Baltimore native. "Title IX was the reason a team was established. The progress of starting a program seemed, at times, to be slow, but knowing now what it took to implement the program. I am grateful."
The current Howard women's basketball team members may appreciate the next story, especially since they play in the latest Jordan sneakers, thanks to Howard's groundbreaking contract with the iconic brand.
"I remember when each of us received two pairs of cloth high-top Converse tennis; one pair for games and another for practice," McFarland said. "We were so excited, and it's funny that today, no one would play basketball in cloth tennis shoes. Another memory I have is that meals were included once we received athletic scholarships. Eating as much as we wanted in the cafeteria was a huge deal. Overall, the newness of being a student-athlete was a fascinating time."
Many of these remarkable stories will be shared and cherished this Saturday, February 3rd, as Howard hosts the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in a critical Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contest at 2 p.m. in Burr Gym. Howard will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of its women's basketball program. Players from each decade of Bison excellence will gather, promising an unforgettable afternoon in which they will be snapping plenty of selfies to commemorate the once-in-a-lifetime occasion.
"I am excited, thankful, proud, and appreciative to see what the Howard women's basketball program has become," Clark said. "We started small, with the essentials. Now, look at the current team. Amazing. I am both thankful and proud that the torch was never dropped. To be invited to celebrate the 50th Anniversary with all the teams that came after our inaugural season is an honor and an almost surreal experience."
But you don't reach 50 years without taking the initial step.
In its inaugural year (1973-74), the program began as a club team before transitioning to a varsity program the following year (1974-75). Howard's athletic director, Leo Miles, got the program going as Sylvia Groomes was Howard's first coach in program history. She inherited the intramural program from Doris Corbett. Former Towson State standout Jackye Cody served as Groomes' assistant coach on the first team.
The journey started with humble beginnings.
"It wasn't easy in the beginning," Groomes said. "It was somewhat difficult to get the program organized. I was initially asked to get the program off the ground because it was intramural. We eventually put together an organized program where we played most Universities in the D.C. metro area, like American, Georgetown, George Washington, and Gallaudet. We had our share of challenges."
One of the early hurdles was waiting for the men's intramural team to clear the court so the women's basketball team could practice. Groomes often got assistance to get them off the court. Without scholarships at the start, Groomes had to get creative in holding players accountable since technically they were volunteering. She had standards in which she strongly encouraged team members to make quality decisions.
"The young ladies were playing for the love of the game," Groomes said. "They were fantastic young women who studied and worked hard. Despite the challenges, I knew we were establishing a solid foundation for the program; I never doubted that the program would move forward positively."
McFarland had her doubts about remaining at Howard when she arrived in 1973.
Shocked and disappointed that Howard didn't have a women's basketball program, McFarland was ready to return to Baltimore and play at Morgan State since it was established a few years before Howard's.
However, there was one obstacle she didn't conquer: Mom.
"I had played in high school and made a mistake by assuming that there was a team at Howard," McFarland said. "As a freshman, I remember calling my mom to tell her that I wanted to transfer to Morgan because Howard didn't have a team. As a person who wasn't a huge sports fan, she sternly told me that wouldn't happen and that I was staying no matter what."
She had a blast. Who wouldn't have fun when some of your teammates carried colorful nicknames like "Stretch," "Miss Jane," "Skinny," and the memorable "Hots," renowned for her deadly outside shooting?
"We experienced the thrill of victory enough during that first season to keep us fighting to strengthen our skills and come back the next year to improve our record," Clark said. "Our supporters were few initially, but I always remember how we motivated each other. The end of the season banquet was very special because we were included in the Howard University Athletic World with smiles and applauses." 
The enduring legacy of McFarland and Clark extends beyond the court, as both saw their daughters follow in their basketball footsteps. McFarland's daughter played at the University of North Carolina, while Clark's family features a lineage of basketball players spanning generations.
McFarland played women's senior basketball well into her 60s. McFarland brought the Travel Channel to life in November by traveling to Paris to watch the Notre Dame-South Carolina season opener and to the Bahamas to support Howard when it competed in the Battle4 Atlantis tournament.
"I didn't realize it at the time, but my participation in basketball-inspired members of my family to consider the possibility of playing," Clark said. "You never know who is watching, listening, wishing, or waiting for someone to show them the possibilities that could be theirs. Playing for Howard basketball allowed me to fulfill one of my dreams."
Indeed, women's basketball has come a long way. The NCAA Final Four had its highest attendance ever last year in Dallas. The national championship game was on network television. The NCAA and ESPN recently announced a $920 million, eight-year agreement to give the network exclusive rights to 40 championships, including the Division I women's basketball tournament. The WNBA is here to stay, which is remarkable.
"Many of the young women who played in 1974 graduated and enjoyed successful careers in their endeavors," Groomes said. "Seeing their desire to play sports was a joy to watch. When you participate in sports, you get an excellent experience in life. There's a tremendous sense of pride for the young ladies and coaches who have come after us. There's been progression, and the program continues to get better. We planted the seed, and seeing what Howard women's basketball has become is incredibly rewarding."
Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Athletics Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by College Sports Communicators (CSC) with the Mary Jo Haverbeck Trailblazer Award and the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).
