RCW: Sport Spotlight 4.19 (Women's Basketball)
On Jan. 28, Adrian Mitchell’s No. 21 jersey will become the fourth Kansas women’s basketball to hang from the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse.
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— Kansas Women’s Bball (@KUWBball) January 17, 2018
A post shared by Kansas Women’s Basketball (@kuwbball) on May 26, 2016 at 8:53am PDT
On Sunday, Jan. 28, Kansas women’s basketball welcomes alumnae from the last five decades to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program, which began its first varsity season in 1968 under head coach Marlene Mawson.
Over the last 50 years, the Jayhawks have built a rich tradition on the hardwood full of memories, milestones and many individual achievements.
Among the highlights of Kansas’ rich tradition are four All-Americans: Adrian Mitchell, Lynette Woodard, Angela Aycock and Tamecka Dixon. After halftime of Sunday’s game, all four women will have their jerseys hanging from the rafters of Allen Fieldhouse. Mitchell’s No. 21 jersey will become the fourth from the women’s basketball program to be retired.
Over the years, six different head coaches have led the Jayhawks to new heights, including an impressive 23 postseason appearances. Among those postseason runs are four trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and playing the WNIT Championship in 2009.
Kansas women’s basketball has fielded over 300 student-athletes since the first in 1968 with 28 Jayhawks joining the 1,000-point scorers club. Junior guard Kylee Kopatich is on pace to become the 29th Jayhawk to reach that feat before her career is over.
In the last 50 years, Kansas women’s basketball has amassed over 800 wins, 59 all-conference selections, 67 academic all-conference selections and nine players who have continued their careers at the next level in the WNBA.
This weekend, Kansas will celebrate the many achievements of Jayhawks over the last 50 years who have made the program what it is, while also looking to the future and what head coach Brandon Schneider is building upon.
