Debbie Haliday

Debbie Haliday, Hall of Fame Athlete
Debbie Willie: All-CIF. All-PAC 10. All-American. National Champion. Wife. Mother. University basketball coach. Christian leader.

What else is there? Four year All-American in softball, and reportedly the only freshman in NCAA history to play on two national championship teams in her freshman year (basketball and softball at UCLA).

But it all started at San Marcos High School where Debbie’s classic jump shot and superior basketball skills established her as the first of our great female athletes in the modern movement of girls’ sports.

Followed by an all-CIF performance in softball on the Royal diamond, UCLA knew a great athlete when they saw one. They were right, and Debbie was on her way to an unbelievable run of athletic success at that university. As a point guard and cocaptain in UCLA’s outstanding women’s basketball team, Debbie was selected to the prestigious AllPAC- 10 team.

Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment was her stint at second base for the UCLA softball team. Only a chosen few can claim the coveted title of AllAmerican. Those who are all-American four times over are members of a very elite circle.

Debbie Haliday is now Head Coach of the Womens’ Basketball Team at Biola University and is deeply involved in the world of Christianity.

Eleven years ago, Debbie and Lance Haliday were married and now have 2 sons: Matthew, 8, and Ryan, 9. All will be cheering “Mom” tonight as she accepts her place in the Hall of Fame.