April 29, 2007
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois Varsity "I" Association welcomed the 1996-97 women's basketball back to campus last weekend (April 27-28) in honor of the 10th anniversary of its Big Ten Championship and NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. At least 23 former players, coaches and support staff attended the celebration.
The weekend kicked off with a reception at the Bielfeldt Athletic Administration Building on Friday night, April 27. Then on Saturday, April 28, there was a Varsity "I" tailgate at the Illinois softball game vs. DePaul as part of the World's Largest Softball Tailgate.
The 1996-97 team won the school's first Big Ten championship in women's basketball, finishing with a program best record of 24-8 overall and 12-4 in conference play. The team went on to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament where it battled top-ranked UConn to the end before falling 78-73. Ashley Berggren picked-up Big Ten Player of the Year and honorable mention All-America honors while leading the team in scoring at 17.8 points per game.
Here is a list of former players, coaches and support staff who attended the reunion:
Bonny Apsey
Ashley Berggren
Susan Blauser
Kelly Bond
Tauja Catchings
Katie Coleman
Marchoe Dill Northern
Theresa Grentz
Karol Kahrs
Marty Kaufmann
Sandi Landeck
Gia Lewis
Kylie Martin Waller
Kathy McConnell Miller
Melissa Parker
Rick Raven
Mike Raycraft
Renee Reed
Krista Reinking
Aimee Smith
Nicole Vasey Dasbach
LaVonda Wagner
Elizabeth Zurek Hozian
