The fortunes of the UAA women’s basketball program changed when Cheryl Bishop [1982-87] arrived on campus, as the Seawolves, who had never come close to a .500 record, began a streak of 10 straight winning seasons.
A 5-10 forward from Berkeley, Calif., she earned a spot in the starting lineup midway through her freshman season, and finished as UAA’s career leader in points (1,592), rebounds (745) and blocks (175). The 1984-85 Continental Divide Conference Player of the Year still ranks No. 1 in blocks, No. 2 in rebounds and in the top 10 in twelve other career categories.
Since graduating in 1987 with a degree in natural sciences, Bishop has gone on to a distinguished career in federal law enforcement, while still finding time to pursue a competitive athletics career. From 1989-2002 she worked for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as the lone female street agent in the 90-person Seattle branch, and one of only five in the nation.
Currently a security/risk management specialist, she has served security details for the Clinton and Pat Buchanan presidential campaigns, the President of Namibia, and for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Bishop, who has tried out for teams in the WNBA and American Basketball League, played on the winning team at the 1997 “Hoop-It-Up” 3-on-3 tournament world championships. She has also played for the Seattle Warbirds of the Women’s American Football League, and is a black belt in Hapkido.
