Jill Rankin Schneider, while a Tennessee Lady Vols senior, enjoys sitting in the office of basketball coach Pat Summitt at Stokely Athletics Center during the 1979-80 season.

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Jill Rankin Schneider's first tour of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame was the grand tour.

The former Wayland Baptist and Tennessee Lady Vols All-American wasn't there as a tourist Friday. She was one of six new members, signing basketballs, seeing the sights and enjoying a private dinner.

The induction ceremony is tonight at the Bijou Theatre.

Rankin Schneider calls the honor "flattering" and "humbling." Thanks to another tour, the experience has been enlightening, too.

After learning last year of her inclusion in the Class of 2008, Rankin Schneider perused the Hall of Fame's Web site and discovered the many connections she had with other members. She's joining former teammates, former coaches, former players she coached and former opponents.

She recalled fellow member Hunter Low, who founded the Kodak All-American team, singling out the 6-foot-3 center for a special distinction.

"He used to call me the only All-American who never had an assist,'' said Rankin-Schneider, who scored 1,000 points in a season and 2,851 for her collegiate career.

There's even a former chauffeur among the members. Harley Redin piloted the airplane that she traveled in as a member of the famous "Flying Queens" of Wayland Baptist.

"It makes me feel really connected to the group,'' she said.

Rankin Schneider, who coaches girls' high school basketball in Lubbock, Texas, was a rarity as an All-American and a Wade Trophy finalist at Wayland Baptist and at Tennessee. She transferred to UT before her senior season.

She played in a Final Four at both schools. She was Wayland's most valuable player in 1978-79. She received the same honor at UT the following season.

Fortunately for her, this isn't the Baseball Hall of Fame, and she didn't have to choose a cap for her hall of fame portrait. She sent memorabilia from both schools to the hall.

"To me, it was almost fate,'' Rankin Schneider said. "I think God had a hand in it."

The transfer was caused by the sudden departure of Wayland coach Dean Weese, who left to coach a professional women's team in Dallas. Rankin Schneider was blindsided by the move. She had written Weese a letter that summer, eagerly anticipating her final season.

"We could transfer then without sitting out a year,'' Rankin Schneider said, "but you couldn't keep your scholarship."

She was preparing for the Pan Am Games that summer. The coach of the U.S. team was Tennessee's Pat Summitt. Rankin Schneider's roommate was former Lady Vol Holly Warlick.

After digesting Weese's decision and considering her options, Rankin turned to Tennessee as her alternative.

"She and Holly played really well together,'' Summitt said. "I think she liked the fact that Holly passed her the ball a lot and didn't shoot much."

Summitt conceded that Rankin Schneider's decision probably helped bring about stricter guidelines related to transfers.

Rankin Schneider said that she totally understood the disappointment of the Wayland Baptist fans. She's come to realize how the situation impacted her. Friday's tour reinforced her perspective.

"I feel like I've been so fortunate,'' she said. "I have great memories from both schools. I've been surrounded by good people. I've been surrounded by coaches and players that complemented me."

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.