Pat Caldwell Tries Out For National Women’s Basketball Association
By Jalynr Strong
aifc Post Starr Writrr
• It’s pretty exciting being a spec
tator at a professional basketball
scrimmage. There's the sound of
sneakers squeaking on the hardwood
floor and the incessant rhythm of the
ball dribbled down court. Then,,
when one of the players makes a
great pass followed by a fantastic
move to get a shot nt the hoop; your
heart leaps at the swish-sound of the
basketball falling through the net
It’s eyen more exciting when
you’re watching your wife play as
she's trying out for the National
Women’s Basketball Association
, (NWBA).
That’s what Bernard Caldwell was
doing at the recent NWBA tryouts
held in Charlotte’s Marion Diehl
Recreation Center. His wife,
Patricia Walker Caldwell, was one
of approximately 150 young women
who were doing their basketball best
to be considered for the profes
sional league.
» Wearing a red jersey, which dis
tinguished her from the other
scrimmage team in blue jerseys,
Pat. was making some impressive
moves on the court. Sitting in the
bleachers, Bernard watched silent
ly, his anticipation evident only in
Jiis steady concentration on how well
his wife was handling the ball. He
smiled when Pat made a swift pass
and seemed proud of the way she’d
hustle down court when the play
turned over. Once when narrowly
saving a ball that was sailing out of
court, Pat slammed into a folding
table agajnst the gymnasium wall.
Bernard didn’t even wince, as did all
the other spectators. He probably,
knew, as did happen, that his wife
the basketball player would jump up
in a second, get right back in the
game to play ball.
' “Basketball is something Pat
really knows how to do,’’ Bernard
points out. “I’ve looked forward to
seeing her play seriously.”
Pat has been playing serious
basketball for quite some time. She
was a notable freshman player at
the University of North Carolina at
Charlotte in 1978. Unfortunately, a
near-fatal car accident meant she
missed a year at the games. But
this spunky sportswoman came
back in I960..Surprising everyone,
she surpassed her previous statis
tics. From ’80-’8I, playing guard and
forward positions, Pat averaged 16.6
points per game; 45 percent field
goals; 64 percent free throws and
over seven rebounds per game.
However, since Bernard met and
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At the recent NWBA tryouts held la Charlotte, Bernard Caldwell
watches his wife’s progress on the coart as other women
players. In background, prepare for a scrimmage. (Photo by Calvin
Ferguson)
married Pat after her heyday aa a
college basketball star, he’d never
seen his wife play with the
zealousness to win.
In college, Pat was pushing to win
for the UNCC 49er team. This time
around she’s hoping to win a spot on
the NWBA’s North Carolina team,
the Carolina Blaze.
When a man’s wife wants to play
professional basketball; considering
it will entail intense training,
away games, tight schedules,
fatigue and possible injuries; he •
might consider it an intrusion on
their lifestyle. But Bernard has a
supportive and positive attitude
about his Wife’s ambition.
“I think it’s about time for
women’s professional basketball,”'
he states. “To show how incredible
women athletes can be.
“1 had some reservations when
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Pat firat told me about the NWBA
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Patricia Walker Caldwell
i....Vlea for the NWBA
because I thought we'd have to
move,” Bernard confesses. “But
when I learned that the league
headquarters were in Lake Wylie,
my reservations turned to anticipa
tion. I had her out practicing the
next day.”
Bernard claims it’s “great” being
married to a basketball player.
"She’s every bit a lady-a real lady,”
he assures. “And it’s nice being with
someone who has the same interests
as I do. We never argue about
watching Sports on TV," Bernard
smiles.
He and Pat have also engaged in a
couple of games of husband and wife
One-on-one. “The first time I beat
her. But the second time she beat
me,” Bernard says about the out
comes. He laughs, “I think the first
time she was just making me feel
good.”
That most certainly could be the
case, taking into account Pat’s
prowess on the basketball court
during the tryouts. That was the
first birdie to make it on a rooter of
12 players for the Cardtina Blase.
According to NWBA CommisskMiar
Wayne Fulcher, the better players
. at the first tryouts will be asked
back to a second round of tryouts in
early August. “We haven’t evalu
ated all the players yet. But Pat
looked good," Fulcher revealed.
“And it looks like she’ll be invited
back.”
Bernard describes his wife as
being “a little nervous but more
excited than anything,” about the
NWBA
And the competition among the
women wanting to play professio
nal ball is stiff. In all. more than 100
hopefuls converged on the four
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