Ackerman Put in Charge of USA Basketball

Former WNBA president Val Ackerman was elected president of USA Basketball, becoming the first woman to hold the post.

The announcement was made Tuesday by the USA Basketball board of directors.

“I am honored and excited to assume this position,” she said.

Ackerman, whose term runs through 2008, replaces Tom Jernstedt, the executive vice president of the NCAA.

An attorney and former college and pro player, Ackerman, 44, was the driving force behind the creation of the historic 1995-96 USA Basketball Women’s Senior National Team program that culminated with a 60-0 record and the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

She assumes the job at a critical time for USA Basketball, which governs international competition, including the Olympics. The American men’s team during last summer’s Athens Games lost for the first time since NBA players were made eligible in 1992.

Ackerman has held a variety of positions with USA Basketball since 1990. The married mother of two resigned as president of the WNBA in February, citing a desire to spend more time with her family.