Lin Laursen lived up to her billing at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday night.

The inductee who described herself as a “female Robin Williams” didn’t disappoint, despite dealing with a sore neck that sent her to the St. Mary’s Medical Center’s emergency room Friday night. She also visited Jenny Moshak, the Tennessee Lady Vols assistant athletic director for sports medicine.

“I don’t know what she did with my neck, but I had a hard time getting my jewelry on,’’ Laursen said.

The Central Arizona College coach, who retired this spring with 971 career victories and three national junior college championships, zeroed in on Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt, who was sitting in the audience at the Bijou Theatre.

“For you and your staff, you get Mercedes,’’ said Laursen, referring to national championship perks. “I get a weedeater.”

Laursen joked about her meager budget at Central Arizona by saying: “We didn’t have a shoe contract ... wait, I want to thank Payless for our shoes.”

Laursen concluded my announcing it was Summitt’s birthday and leading the audience in a chorus of “Happy Birthday.”

Broderick’s Ties: Nobody knows the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2008 quite like Patty Broderick.

Broderick, one of the six inductees, is a former referee who officiated games involving four of the other inductees.

She called games in the Jones Cup involving inductees Suzie McConnell-Serio and Michele Timms. Broderick remembers Jill Rankin Schneider from the Olympic Trials and officiated the 1991 national championship game involving Virginia coach Debbie Ryan.

These are examples of the multiple connections between the inductees. McConnell-Serio’s sister, Kathy, played for Ryan at Virginia.

Ryan coaches Aisha Mohammad, who played for Laursen at Central Arizona.

Timms, McConnell-Serio and Rankin Schneider, who are being inducted as players, are now coaches.

Broderick did not officiate a game involving Laursen. Still Broderick said, “I have a connection with her wit and personality. It’s pretty grand.”

Missed Opportunity: An Olympic medal is missing from Rankin Schneider’s resume but not her memory. She was a co-captain of the 1980 women’s team, which never competed in the Games because of the U.S. boycott.

“To me, I think I’ll always harbor that disappointment,’’ she said. “I think I was probably bitter when it happened. I couldn’t believe it happened.”

Rolling With It: Jack North, president of the Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors, said there won’t be repercussions from Timms’ absence from the induction ceremony. Her duties as assistant coach for the Chinese Olympic team precluded her attendance.

“I think it’s safe to say that our discussion about future inductees will be based on their pedigree,’’ North said. “Their ability to attend the induction event will be way, way down the list of considerations.

“We’ve had a very good history of attendance. Issues happen.”

Quite the Prankster: Along with bringing a great shooting touch to UT when she transferred in for her senior year, Rankin Schneider came with a good sense of humor.

After a loss at South Carolina, an angry Summitt had the team practice in their soiled uniforms after returning to Knoxville. She entered the gym to find the players recreating pregame introductions. The thinking was: If we’re wearing our uniforms, we need proper intros.

Rankin Schneider admitted her role in the stunt but said teammate Holly Warlick also played a part.

At the time Summitt thought: “No, this isn’t funny.”

She changed her mind and gave Rankin Schneider credit.

“I was very serious and demanding,’’ Summitt said. “The fact that she had a sense of humor was appealing to the team, as well as the coach.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.