In between the two varsity games on Friday evening, the Ballard High School Basketball program retired Sue Stimac Verduin's #15 jersey during a retirement ceremony. Verduin is the first female basketball player to receive this honor.

Verduin played varsity basketball at BHS from 1975 to 1978, received honors for both league and region, and was Student Athlete of the year in 1978. She also played varsity tennis and was the first to compete at the state tournament during her senior year.

She continued her athletic career at Seattle University where she played varsity basketball until 1982. She received All–American honors during her junior and senior seasons and was Student Athlete of the year 1981. Her #33 jersey was retired and she was inducted into the SU Hall of Fame.

“It’s nice to receive that recognition,” Sue Stimac Verduin said in a previous interview. “I’m proud of my school to recognize female players.”