Sports History
Woman of the Year Cashes In
By Anne Madarasz

She has more than lived up to the promise of her first name, Swintayla, which means amazing woman. Swin Cash has achieved at every level of sport, and in April that success will be recognized when she is named the Dapper Dan female athlete of the year.

Born in McKeesport, she grew up in Harrison Village as a self-described, "skinny, bowlegged girl with a dream about playing basketball."

Play she did, for McKeesport High School, where she excelled, averaging 30.4 points per game and 16.9 rebounds as a senior. In 1998, Cash earned high school All-America first team honors from Parade Magazine and was named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the year. She also excelled in track and field, finishing third in the state in hurdles her senior year. Cash then continued her winning ways at the University of Connecticut. A member of the 2000 and 2002 NCAA National Championship teams, she was named a first team All-American by Kodak/WBCA and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association in 2002. Cash currently ranks eighth in all-time Huskies history in points, sixth in rebounds and seventh in blocked shots and field goal percentage.

Selected number two overall in the 2002 WNBA draft by the Detroit Shock, Cash averaged 14.8 points and 6.9 rebounds, capturing third place in the rookie of the year voting. A WNBA All-Star in 2003, Cash helped lead the Shock to the WNBA Championship. Chosen to represent the United States on the Olympic basketball team the following year, Cash earned a gold medal in competition. Again a WNBA All-Star in 2005, Cash recently contributed to the team's second national championship.

Though she has achieved on an international stage, Cash maintains her ties to her hometown, living with her mom in the off-season. Her charity, "Cash for Kids" supports youth agencies in Detroit and in McKeesport. Swin also sponsors a scholarship in McKeesport for a girl who excels in basketball and makes a difference in the lives of others. Her "Strive with Pride" basketball camp acknowledges her belief in inspiring youth to achieve in sport, but to play and live with integrity. This "amazing woman" has achieved her childhood dream of playing basketball, her life and career serving as an example for how to play and how to win.

Anne Madarasz is the Director of the Western PA Sports Museum, which features the story of women's basketball, and Swin Cash.