On August 7, 1984, Team USA Women’s Basketball captured its first Olympic gold medal, defeating South Korea 85–55 at the Forum in Inglewood. The victory validated a decade of growth in women’s athletics following Title IX and showcased the disciplined coaching of Pat Summitt.
Among the champions was 22‑year‑old Kim Mulkey, whose sharp playmaking foreshadowed a coaching career that would rewrite NCAA history. Mulkey later became the first person to win national titles as a player, assistant coach, and head coach, claiming championships with Baylor in 2005, 2012, and 2019, and with LSU in 2023. The 1984 triumph laid the foundation for a dynasty of American excellence in women’s basketball.
