This summer the story of women’s basketball’s ‘Fab Four’ will hit your TV. So be sure to tune in! The hour-long documentary, “CATCH98,” reveals the story of Tamika Catchings and the 1997-98 Tennessee Lady Vols – unequivocally the best in the country at the time.
The film debuts on Thursday, June 23, which will be the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Catch it at 7 p.m. ET on SEC Network, concluding the 11th season of SEC Storied.
When Tamika Catchings arrived at the University of Tennessee the stage was set. Head coach Pat Summitt had already won five national championships. Including two of them in the previous two years.
That year, 1997-98 Lady Vols made history with a perfect 39-0 record. Which was the most wins ever in women’s collegiate basketball at the time. And it capped off an unprecedented NCAA Championship three-peat.
“CATCH98” tells this team’s story through the lens of 2020 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Tamika Catchings – one of the greatest, and in some ways, unlikeliest to ever play the game. The film explores how Tamika’s childhood shaped her extraordinary persona and the exceptional athlete she has become.
“What a privilege and an honor to go back and reminisce on our 1997-98 undefeated Tennessee Lady Vols season through ‘CATCH98,’” said Tamika, now an ESPN and SEC Network college basketball analyst.
“Some things are never to be forgotten and having the opportunity to re-live the moments with my family, teammates and fans was amazing.” reflected Tamika.
In 1997, Tamika was part of a freshman Lady Vols recruiting class that became known as ‘The Fab Four.’ They joined powerhouse upperclassmen Chamique Holdsclaw and current Tennessee head coach Kellie (Jolly) Harper.
We get to hear from some of these legendary teammates in “CATCH98.” And can look forward to never-told-before stories about that truly historic season, shared from their former locker room.
“CATCH98” is directed by filmmaking duo and twin sisters Lisa Lax and Nancy Stern Winters. Collectively, their television and film productions have earned them 16 Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award and multiple CASE, Christopher, Cine Golden Eagle, Davey, Gracie, International Monitor, Tell, and Sabre Awards. In 2021, they were awarded an Olympic Golden Ring Award for Best Equality and Inclusion Content presented by the IOC. “CATCH98” is the pair’s fourth SEC Storied film.
“Lisa and I have been intrigued by the Lady Vols basketball teams since we directed PAT XO, a documentary about legendary coach Pat Summitt,” said Nancy. “The undefeated 1997-98 team was extraordinary, led by four incredible freshmen who were affectionately called ‘The Fab Four.’
“We chose to tell the story of this particular season through the lens of Tamika Catchings, whose individual journey is even more inspiring than her team’s. The undefeated national championship season was both a culmination of her perseverance and, in some ways, just the beginning of an even more exceptional career and life.” she continued. Lisa said the documentary will also feature Tamika’s relationship with her sister, Tauja, who Tamika played against during the 97-98 season.
After her storied college career at Tennessee, Tamika played for 15 years in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, and was the 2011 MVP and won a Finals MVP award. She was named one of the top 25 WNBA players of all-time last year.
“I’m extremely honored to be included in such an amazing group of 25 trailblazers,” said Tamika at the time, “and I’m thankful to have had an opportunity to be a part of the growth and strength of our league from both sides – as a player and as an executive.”
“The momentum continues to grow because of those players who came before us and the players of today who continue to push this league to greater heights, paving the road for future generations.”
Tamika was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020 and the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. She recently stepped down from her role as the Indiana Fever’s vice president of basketball operations and general manager.
With cable you can watch the SEC channel on your TV or online here. Without cable you can watch the SEC Network on the ESPN app. You can use the ESPN app on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, and Android devices.
This documentary is an awesome chance to learn from some of the greats. Up next, learn all about the Title IX documentary WNBA Champion Candace Parker is producing.
