Lynwood High athletic director inducted into Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame

Dana Wilkerson helped Cal State Long Beach make four NCAA Tournament appearances as an undergraduate and played in the Final Four in 1988. 

LYNWOOD – Lynwood High School girls athletic director Dana Wilkerson – an all-star high school basketball player – has been inducted in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame for her outstanding sportsmanship.
 
Wilkerson has taught physical education at Lynwood High for 17 years and has served as the girls athletic director for 16 years. Her father, who was also one of her coaches, taught her the value of hard work and determination, values she now passes on to her students.
 
“Because I was a point guard most of my career, I push my kids really hard and expect a high level from them,” she said. “It’s not about being able to do things perfectly or better than someone else, but how much effort you put into it.”
 
Wilkerson is a 1987 Indiana All-Star who graduated from Anderson High School as her county’s all-time leading scorer with 1,692 points. As an undergraduate at Cal State Long Beach, she made four NCAA Tournament appearances and played in the final four in 1988.
 
Wilkerson shared the Hall of Fame stage with six other female inductees and two men who coached women’s basketball teams.
 

Lynwood High School’s girls athletic director Dana Wilkerson is among a cadre of 10 people recently inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, which included former players and coaches.

“It was a privilege to meet players from different eras of the sport and share stories from our days on the court,” Wilkerson said. “I’m very grateful to receive this honor for playing a game that I have loved since I was in second grade.”
 
Wilkerson’s extensive accolades include being an academic All-American, named to a third team All-American and a member of the 1988 Junior National Gold Medal Team. She has also played with the Long Beach Stingrays and Chicago Condors in the American Basketball League.

“Lynwood Unified is very proud to have distinguished staff members like Dana mentoring the next generation of student athletes,” LUSD Superintendent Paul Gothold said. “We want to foster students to be people of great character who inspire and lead by example. Dana’s leadership on the court makes her an ideal steward of this mission.”

In 2012, the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame honored Wilkerson as a member of its annual Silver Anniversary Team, which recognizes outstanding players 25 years after their high school graduation.
 
Wilkerson received a call in November letting her know that she was being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and was honored at the April 30 induction ceremony in front of family and friends.
 
Players become eligible for induction to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame 26 years after they graduate from high school.

“Our students are more prepared for the real world when they receive instruction from teachers who have firsthand experience working in the field they now teach or coach,” Lynwood Board President Alma-Delia Renteria said. “I couldn’t be more proud of Dana, and this honor is further evidence that we have outstanding leadership in our athletics programs.”