Teri Baldwin holds a special place in her heart for SMU.

See, she was the first women's basketball player to receive a scholarship.

That was important then, 50 years, for a girl from Dallas who wouldn't have been able to pay for her own college education and play the game she loved.

It also has significance today. All the players who have worn the Mustang uniform after Baldwin, stand on her shoulders.

Baldwin isn't one to brag, however when asked about it, she jumps at the opportunity to talk about her imprint and legacy on SMU women's basketball.

When she thinks about her feelings as an 18-year-old and now today, "I was honored and proud to be the first and I felt a sense of responsibility," Baldwin said.

"But really all I knew was that I was going to a top university at no cost to my family and I was going to be able to play basketball for four more years. I just wanted to play ball. Now, I realize that I really had no idea how important it all was, how much it really mattered and how huge it would all become for so many young women after me. That is the best part."

Baldwin played forward at 5-foot 9-inches and won a high school state championship at Bishop Dunne in her junior year. And yes, college offers came rolling in from Stephen F. Austin, Oral Roberts, Texas and Delta State. Many were track scholarships. But in the end she wanted to stay home and "I mean, if you're if you're going to be in Dallas, if you're going to live in Dallas, if that's where your career is going to be, an education from Southern Methodist University opened so many doors," Baldwin said.

"It's amazing, really. It's a very highly respected school. And I wanted to be a part of building something. So, rather than go away and be a little fish in a big pond, I ended up feeling like a big fish in a small pond."

Much has happened in the last 50 years, but some of it comes back when she watches a Mustang or even a WNBA player grab a steal and score on the other end. That was her favorite part of the game. Those plays make her feel connected to players in this era.

When she played in high school, they were still playing 6-man and she only played offense. She adjusted pretty quickly to playing defense in college and liked it.

Now, when she watches basketball, she sees players who are fundamentally sound.

"I love watching how they pass the ball to each other," Baldwin said. "It's just a more elite game. I would say it's the skill level that is incredible to me. It's a constant thing they do. … Their fundamentals are just awesome. That's why I enjoy watching women play, because they really stick to the fundamentals."

All of this also connects her to this SMU squad that is led by coach Adia Barnes. From the system Barnes runs that puts an emphasis on defense to the focus on skill development year-round.

Baldwin became a fan of Barnes watching Arizona's 2021 run to the National Championship game.

"My thing about watching her coach is I loved the way she interacted with her players," Baldwin said.

"It appeared, from a spectator (perspective), that she had the kind of relationship with her players that I wished I had always had. Somebody who cared about what works best for each individual player. I don't respond well to somebody chewing me out. I respond well to somebody that teaches me or shows me."

Baldwin got a tour of Moody Coliseum this fall during a mini alumni reunion and got even more excited about the new direction of the Mustangs under Barnes. She even bought a bunch of new SMU gear.

"I think they are going to surprise some people even for the rest of this season," Baldwin said. "I'm excited about it. It makes me really proud."